Hello! So, I'm upping my shoe game, and I've purchased a couple of pairs that I consider to be good quality (albeit a beginner good quality). Conventional wisdom suggests shoe trees, but I've never owned anything like that and am unsure of the quality / need / admin surrounding them. A quick poll... Do you own any shoe trees? (EDIT: I originally called the trees "shoe lasts", until I was put straight by @Dr. Jason Cole. Edited what I could. Thank you sir! 🙂)

I have a funeral looming, and want to look my best. So I bought some new shoes. Samuel Windsor Cheltenham Brogue (Oxblood). My first brogues. My first oxbloods. My first Goodyear welts. My first Samuel Windsor. They are a nice fit, and they look great. Very happy.

CW = Critiques Welcome! Fun week with nearly all of the goals done. Quiet office today, however, as I am the only in it. Outfit • Shirt — DS‑011 (Paul Fredrick): A cobalt blue double pencil‑stripe stretch dress shirt in cotton‑spandex, finished in a smooth non‑iron weave. The crisp vertical striping provides structure and visual lift under a navy jacket while remaining comfortable for a full leadership workday. • Undershirt — US‑003 (Pro Club): A heavyweight white cotton crew‑neck undershirt that offers excellent opacity control under the striped dress shirt. Durable and dependable, it keeps the shirt cleanly presented throughout the day. • Slacks — SL‑009 (Santorelli): Tan wool slacks with a faint medium‑brown check, tailored for clean drape and natural movement. The warm neutral base balances the cooler blues above, grounding the outfit in business‑appropriate contrast. • Odd Jacket — DOJ‑007 (Ralph Lauren): A navy wool blazer with a slight sheen and classic brass buttons, cut in a structured silhouette. This jacket delivers executive authority while remaining versatile enough for internal leadership and client‑adjacent settings. • Tie — NT‑030 (Kirby Allison): A silk tie in rust and navy with medium‑scale paisley‑inspired motifs. The warm rust tones echo the slacks and belt, while the navy anchors the tie to the jacket for cohesive color storytelling. • Belt — B‑010 (Magnanni): Caramel‑brown leather belt with subtle tonal variation and a silver buckle. Its warmth aligns perfectly with the slacks and shoes, maintaining leather harmony across the outfit. • Footwear — DSh‑007 (Allen Edmonds): Chocolate‑brown cap‑toe Oxfords in Goodyear‑welted leather. A classic executive shoe choice—serious, refined, and perfectly suited to business‑formal or high‑polish business‑classic environments. • Socks — DSo‑063 (Fort Belvedere): Over‑the‑calf cotton socks in mid‑brown with a blue shadow stripe. The stripe subtly ties back to the shirt and jacket while remaining discreet and professional.

It was so cold on Tuesday that I lost my flame here. It was so cold that I did not take off my coat even though I had layered a Henley, a grey flannel shirt and a wool waist coat under the cream sweater. I just do not have the cold tolerance I once add after my heart problem. Anyway, that is me carrying that Ulster Provincial Flag. The final picture I have opened that wonderful vintage Pendleton jacket to show that I was in the proper uniform for carrying the flag of flat cap, cream cable knit sweater, dark trousers and black shoes prescribed by the Shamrock Club of Columbus for their flag carriers.This is the second time I posted this. The first time it did not take.