I rarely get over to the shoe discussion but a recent exchange with @Steven Hotchkiss about three great shoes he inherited from his FiL inspired me. He got a horse it black loafer, a burgandy captoe and a suede penny. Each of these shoes are absolute classics and have so many uses. In fact less popular today but nevertheless timeesss is a cordovan or oxblood leather. Because this color crosses the hump between outfits that are brown tans and outfits that are blue/greys, It is the most versatile color shoe a man can have I. His wardrobe. In doing a little inspirational research on Pinterest for some combos thought I would share to the whole community of that’s alright Steven. In American classic timeless menswear shoes are much less restricted than in many parts of the world. The two perfect examples are the loafer and the brogue. In England for example loafers (especially thinner soled ones) are kind of impractical apparently because of the persistent rain as well as the un-even pavement and muddy ground (although this last issue i find a bit odd since many cities in Italy are older than England and have all kinds of surfaces like cobble stones etc). The loafer fits perfectly with the American comfort sensibility-: looser sack fit suit, full cut oxford shirts, button down collars (which are fine with a suit by the way) full leg double pleated trousers etc. while a loafer can be worn with a suit ( as can a button down oxford shirt), unquestionably they are a significantly less formal accessory. Furthermore there are suit loafers and sport coat loafers. This last aspect is dictated by whether the shoe has a moccasin toe(aka apron toe) or raised lake (aka welted toe.) These descriptions can go down some weird rabbit holes- https://shoegazing.com/2023/03/26/guide-types-of-apron-front-and-split-toe-seams/ Basically weejuns are more dressed down than Alden’s.

The company I work for is merging with another company. We are very relaxed. Jeans, sneakers, and polo are typical office wear. The new company is more formal. From my understanding slacks, button ups and jackets are typical for management. With no jackets for front line. I'm a non-management salary employee. I am meeting with the a couple of senior leaders of the other company that I will be reporting to next week to discuss the software tools we use. We are also going to dinner the night before. I could use some advice on what to wear. I plan on wearing a gray jacket and shoes, with navy slacks and light blue shirt for the meeting. I was originally thinking more color but I may play it safe here. Im struggling on what to wear for dinner. My current director said slacks and a polo is fine. Inhave a feelinghe will be a step above that. I'd like to dress up the polo a little bit. Maybe a quarter zip? Im lost on what to do for colors. I'd like to do a splash of color. Something that says I'm an expert in what I do. I attached a picture of part of the jacket I currently own.

In many videos I watch and comments I read, I often see and hear comments in absolute. By this I mean a man MUST, NEVER, or ALWAYS. In my experience as an almost 54 year old man, nothing in life is absolute. My day begins with getting a family fed and out the door. Getting myself to work (either home or office), working my day, stopping at the grocery store for dinner items, cooking dinner, prepping lunches etc. At any step in between there may oil changes, household repairs, lawns to mow, firewood to chop, and the list goes on. While I do my best to look my best, from time to time, I will appear in public looking like I just crawled out of a hole or out from under a car. That's because I did. simply put, changing out of the clothes I "MUST" wear to accomplish tasks that cannot go ignored is next to impossible. Many of us, I imagine, are not the guy that calls "the guy that does the..." but rather, we are the guy! For the work I/we do, that cannot be ignored, please excuse the crocs, T's, and hoodie. Men are often not only called upon to find the solution but are also the very tool required to perform the labor. This is not a response to any one post or video but rather in response to an observation of many.

Do to some unseen force, you are forced to select only 2 Jackets, 2 shirts, 2 trousers, and 2 pair of shoes, which would you select and why? This could be from your current wardrobe or pieces you are looking to add. You could sub out pairs of trousers and jackets for a suit(s) but at the end, no more than the 8 pieces named above. edit: Ok, you can pick two ties or pocket squares to total 10 pieces in all