They say reality is crafted twice: first in the theater of the mind, and then on the grand stage of life. If that’s true, here is the masterpiece I am currently scripting. Since discovering forums such as RMRS and others, I’ve been utterly bitten by the sartorial bug. The art of dressing like a true gentleman has become my latest passion—though, admittedly, my wallet might call it an "expensive education." Between experimenting with Made-to-Measure garments and learning the hard way that not all wardrobe investments are created equal, I’ve been refining my tastes. With retirement cresting the horizon in just three short years, my wife and I are plotting our great escape. We’re talking extensive travels across the States and grand tours abroad, specifically weaving our way through the vibrant landscapes of Asia and the sun-drenched Mediterranean. Naturally, a gentleman must be impeccably dressed for such occasions! So, here is just one of my ultimate stretch goals: We jet off to Asia, (after all my wife is Thai/Lao and Vietnamese) carving out a glorious, dedicated week in Vietnam. The mission? To visit the world-renowned tailors of Hoi An and commission a breathtaking, bespoke wardrobe of perfectly fitted linens. Then, armed with suitcases bursting with fresh, custom-tailored elegance, we’ll make our way to the Mediterranean coast. There, flawlessly attired and radiating style, we’ll simply melt into the local culture, savor the coastal breezes, and live the absolute dream. Yes, I have a solid plan to achieve these, and similar goals, so this is not a mere pipe-dream. But what about you - please share some of your stretch goals. Notice, I didn't say dreams.

Saw this article and was so impressed by the fit of the coats versus what we see today. The operable button perfectly hits at the natural waist in each picture, the length of the coats are exactly balanced and the pocket flaps hit at the hip points. Once one sees the right way, it’s very hard to not notice the oddity of the modern fashion faux pas. Granted each garment is 100% bespoke and the pics cross decades, but the fundamentals of fit are timeless. Just thought I would share. https://www.permanentstyle.com/2026/01/deliberately-unsexy-bernhards-sartorial-journey-from-1988-to-today.html