There are so many gentlemen in this group (> 13,000) but only a handful are active contributors to the discussions. It would be interesting to know the geographical distribution of these contributors. Here is the poll. Where do you live? This is part 1, there's more to come.

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 recieved a horse bit black loafer, a burgundy 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 (burgundy) leather. Because this color crosses over the hump between outfits that are brown tans or outfits that are blue/greys, it is the most versatile color shoe a man can have in his wardrobe. In doing a little inspirational research on Pinterest for some combos I thought I would share to the whole community if 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 (home to the Gucci loafer) 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/

I own two long-sleeve and three short-sleeve casual shirts from DXL: True Nation. Now I enjoy these styles, colors, and brands. I would buy another True Nation shirt if it met my fancy. I’d recommend these types of shirts to anyone. My conundrum is how difficult they are to iron. The problem is that the fabric is made of a tougher linen-cotton blend. So, as much as one doesn't want a dry cleaning bill for a handful of shirts, am I missing any ironing tips? They are always washed in cold water and never put in the dryer. Perhaps my old Army NCOs were right, and I suck at ironing my BDUs and DCUs, lol?

We don't realize how far we've come until we look at where we started. The other day I stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few items. Standing in the checkout line, I noticed a guy coming into the store about my height and age. My first impression (and I'm not proud of it) was to wonder if he'd checked the mirror before leaving home. He wore Crocs with black socks, rumpled cargo shorts, a t-shirt that used to be white but had yellowed with age and sprouted a few extra holes at the collar. Over all of this, a baggy green hoodie and a visor cap with his salt and pepper hair poking out the top in unkempt spikes. The thought "I wouldn't leave the house looking like that" had barely finished forming when it was stopped dead in its tracks— up until a few years ago I used to leave the house almost exactly like that. All the time. In fact, I'm pretty sure I still have that exact hoodie somewhere at home! It was a humbling moment. I didn't feel superior. I felt grateful. It reminded me of something important: everyone is on their own journey. The guy who just bought his first tie deserves the same respect as the guy who's been pressing pocket squares for twenty years. We don't know where someone is in their story, and we don't know what got them there. I left the store not with judgment, but with gratitude. Gratitude for the version of me that didn't know any better, and fuel for the version of me I'm still becoming.