This title won out over "Do Your Clothes Match Your Persona?". As I dress for the day, or the event I try to imagine what I would look like to someone else as I'm wearing the clothes I choose. Do the clothes I pick match my personality and life? Or do I look like a left-over Miami Vice cast member? (Nothing against Miami Vice!) It brings me back to a car sales position many years ago. I had moved to Seattle and that afternoon had a sales job at Downtown Oldsmobile. I had no business clothes so I went to a local thrift store ran by a hospital where the docs would donate their clothes. I hooked a couple of sport coats and slacks for little money, I was set. While at the dealership the owner's son befriended me. He was just 16 and a great, clean cut kid. One day we had a maintenance job so I showed up in my old ratty jeans and a t-shirt. The kid acted confused and quiet around. Finally he quietly said he liked me better in my suit. I looked like just another person off the street in my grubbies. In my sport coat I was presentable, honest, and trustworthy - my true personality and what I strive for. He was seeing a fake me and his honesty shown brightly through. So now every time I question whether to dress up even a little, or slob it out I remember that kid, and his point-on lesson of what clothes fit my personality. A simple but heart felt comment I will never forget.

By way of profound blessing, I still have both sets of grandparents-- and the couple on my mother's side celebrated their 65th (yes, sixty-fifth) anniversary this year. So very early on Thursday morning, we loaded the kids in the van and drove the 11 hours to my old stomping grounds in Illinois. We are here for another day or two doing lots of visiting and catching up. I wanted something cool and comfortable, yet dressed-up casual, so I went with an orange linen shirt, beige Chino shorts, and AE penny loafers. The large white stitching in my belt matches the large white stitching in my watch band (Monterey Kitty Hawk). While Grandpa John (on my father's side, and my own namesake) despises shorts and told me in no uncertain terms I looked like a girl and should have my manhood cut off, I brushed his opinions off and carried on. I've come to view style (especially CTM) as more of a tool and less of an identity. Anyway, today was a bit of a departure from Thursdays more dressed up look with the blazer. Men, life isn't worth being judgmental or voicing strong opinions, and none of us are always right. Have fun, be you, and treasure every moment.

For the final day of the challenge, I’m pulling out the Tie I hadn’t worn yet. It’s the skinniest of my ties, and perhaps the one I’ve had the longest. 20 years maybe. I’m also trying the super casual approach of wearing it loose with the top button undone on this Linen shirt. I crammed the shirt into the Polo Seersucker Trousers. Used the Brown Belt and Vivobarefoot Ababa sort of Driving Mocs. The Jacket is Vintage JCPenny with Raglan sleeves. I rewarded myself with cake 🍰 for completing this challenge.

Our family went on a week-long vacation to Los Angeles. The main goal was for our son to see what is there as far as the music scene goes. He is a musician in Dallas now. He met so many folks at the shows and fot a good initial impression. I noted the outfits of the musicians and asked if I could take a couple pictures of him to process through ChatGPT. So that happened. He really liked the results. I think he just didn't realize what is possible. So at the same time as evaluating the LA music scene, maybe another eye was opened to looking sharp. Will see.