TGIF and Good Friday. I normally wear boots but I'll start off today with the socks given to me by @Jeffrey Plotka a few months back. Mandarin green ribbed socks. Thanks again Jeffrey! Green Department polo over rust 5.11 Apex pants. Brown Anson belt with silver buckle and brown Thursday President boots! Vincero green dial watch and Scent Reserve inspired by Spice Bomb.

"Every worthwhile accomplishment, big or little, has its stages of drudgery and triumph; a beginning, a struggle, and a victory." Mahatma Gandhi Have a great day brothers.

When deciding to level up my style game, it was almost through necessity. I was (and am) on a weight loss journey, and had hit the midpoint-plus mark when literally all of my existing clothes no longer fit my shrinking frame. I needed a new wardrobe, completely and entirely, so why NOT shape it with intent and chase a New Me? I came to Skool, joined style groups. Looking to learn, but also to inform. My journey, to me, seemed intriguing, unique. I’d have Opinions, and Insights, and Things To Say. Turns out that EVERYONE is seemingly on the exact journey as me. I’m not a special snowflake. But that’s great! I can still share what I’ve learned, so those on the first steps can benefit from the mistakes and decisions I’ve made. So this is the first post in a series that will share my knowledge of the “glowing-up while sizing-down” process. Hopefully it’ll prove enlightening. #1 - Clothes That Fit Are Very Tight. At my largest, I topped 20 stone. I’m short too, so those factors combined into making me largely spherical. And, as a fat man, I leaned into the trope of the Baggy Fit, believing that an oversized jumper would convince the world I was a closet waif. Ridiculous, I know. It was a jumper, not an invisibility cloak. I’m almost 7 stone down from those heady heights, with another couple to go, and my learnings from groups such as these have driven me into clothes that are more stylish and suited to my frame, and clothes that actually fit me properly. And BOY, do they feel tight and restrictive. There are a couple of factors to this. The first is that yes, the fits I’m choosing now ARE a little snug. Because I’m still shrinking, so I’ve chosen clothes with a modicum of future-proofing in this regard. When I hit my ideal size, the gloves will come off and I’ll be exacting in the dimensions. But the second and most important factor is that the head can do the maths, the heart still believes I’m as big as I ever was. And after literally fifty years of comfort and expanse, there’s a little rebellion against the new slimline casements. How can I wear something so form-fitting?! People will notice how fat I am!!

Don’t let fear convince you to not do the things that you are really meant to do. Most of you are afraid of the wrong things. You keep asking yourself “Will it be worth it?” When the real questions you should be asking yourself is… “What will my life be like if I don’t go out and do what I’m supposed to do?” That’s the bigger question. That’s what you should be thinking about. Each one of us has something special inside of us… And if you don’t bring it out… It will be the biggest regret of your life. Don’t die with that regret. ~ Andy Frisella