At least I wish I was. Soon. Have a couple of trips in the works. And Boy am I ready. Today’s outfit was inspired by my zombie chambray shirt. Zombie in that I gave it a new life by having my tailor flip the collars over. It is easily 30+ years old. As is my tie. The coat was made 29 years and nearly 2 months ago. The shoes are at least 44 years old. The Darn Tough socks (my first pair of that brand) I discovered in Ely MN on a scout trip to the Boundary Waters 10 years ago. The silk pocket square and belt are a few months old and the super light weight gaberdine trousers I’ve had for a few days. Did I say so need to go fishin? I need to go fishin….

Preparing for a big week at work by ensuring I'm ready for the meetings and any work from last week is caught up. "Sunday Reset: Mocha, Linen & Blue Suede Vibes" There's a certain energy to Sunday afternoons when you're gearing up for a big week ahead. Today was about catching up on work, prepping for Monday's meetings, and doing it all in the kind of comfortable-yet-polished ensemble that keeps you mentally sharp without feeling constrained. The dress code? Relaxed sophistication with a tropical twist. • Shirt — SS-003 (Tommy Bahama): A mocha brown Tommy Bahama short-sleeve button-down with brown wood accents—the quintessential California Sunday shirt. This piece walks the line between "I'm getting things done" and "I could be on a veranda somewhere." The button-down collar keeps it slightly structured, while the rich mocha color grounds the earth-tone palette. Perfect for a mild spring day when you need to focus but still want to feel free. • Undershirt — US-009 (Pro Club): A heavy-weight tan Pro Club crew neck in cotton. The Pro Club heavyweights have become my go-to for weekend wear: substantial enough to stand on their own if the overshirt comes off, but comfortable enough for all-day wear at the desk. • Pants — PN-017 (Island Importer): Beige linen pants from Island Importer—because nothing says "I'm relaxed but still productive" quite like linen. These breathable beauties have that perfect casual drape that works whether you're at a standing desk or settling into a long planning session. The beige tone plays beautifully with the mocha shirt, creating an earth-tone monochrome that reads sophisticated without trying too hard. • Belt — B-014 (Charles Tyrwhitt): The chocolate brown suede belt from Charles Tyrwhitt with a silver buckle. Suede on suede with the loafers? Absolutely. The texture harmony here is intentional—suede speaks the same language as linen: relaxed, tactile, refined. The chocolate brown bridges the gap between the mocha shirt and the darker loafers.

What to say in your intro? Share where you're from, your reason for joining, perhaps your favorite fragrance, watch or a picture of you dressed sharp! It's a small action, but a HUGE step in you getting value from this community becasue you go from being a lurker to an ACTIVE member. In fact men that introduce themselves are 10X more likely to the actions to becoming their best selves. Bonus Point - By introducing yourself you're guaranteed to level-up. Seriously, you'll get at least 5-20 likes/points (oftentimes more) which will move you to level 2 and possibly level 3. And just like that you have access to more of this community!

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 while 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!!