For another early morning meeting I threw on the Same shirt and socks worn yesterday (had changed out of them after yesterdays early morning meeting as soon as i got home and they were close early today) Sorry for all the boring dimensions below but I am trying to illustrate a point. I’ve written many times about fit and the issue with modern coats and their odd dimensions. In one area however the off the rack coat works pretty well for me. I broke down a bought one on a 60% off sale from a very high quality store a few weeks back. At a 67 3/4” inch height and a 32” sleeve length and 29” inseam-off the rack clothing is a struggle. Added to that, my weight fluctuation over the past 10 years has seen me float between a 42 regular and 44 regular. Many guys don’t realize that the length of a coat changes between 42r and 44r off the rack. When I have had coats made in the past I have the length specified at about 30.25”. That’s what this 42R finishes out (covers ass checks and crotch). I am still less than pleased with the height of the button. The natural waist is where my body hinges (think little teapot song🎶). When wearing jeans or low rise trousers a little bit of that weird inverted triangle is to be expected (to offset I usually leave the coat un buttoned when wearing jeans). But normal mid rise or high rise trousers should make that disappear. That’s not the biggest issue with the button too high. The real issue is the sillouette of the coat. With a normal natural waist-high button, the shoulders are accentuated and the waist is narrowed (see pics creating an X where the right shoulder makes a line to your left hand at attention on the left side and the other half of the X left shoulder to right hand= silhouette: blue coat with red X is right; brown coat with yellow X about 3” too high) The top of the side pockets on the coat should be at the hip points with the natural waist just a few inches above. Where the body hinges-That is the button line. One of the challenges is the 3” or 3.5” lapel width presently. If you look at early 1960’s coats they too had a slightly higher middle button. At 4” lapels this is easier to get that lower stance.

The last work day of May. It's been a great month for the company and we finished strong with on-time delivery of a complicated project - the best kind. June will be a life-altering month with my eldest son graduating from high school, community college, all events within a week of each other. My youngest is feeling quite sad from it all, as he loves spending time (and deeply reveres) his older brother. As a father, I am blessed to have two boys, 4.5 years apart, who absolutely love each other, enjoy spending time together, have not had an argument in years, and now already recognize how Logan going away to college will change their relationship forever. I've been working with my younger son to understand that this is a part of how they will be for the rest of their lives, so figuring out how to still engage with each other meaningfully while living apart is just the next phase of their relationship. One, that if he works at it, will be just as rewarding as what he has now. And yeah, that breaks my heart a little too, but this is the role of the father and I heartfully take it on. So... with that emotional roller coaster, it's time for... the purple Oxfords! When I brought them out yesterday to set up today's outfit, my wife looked at me and groaned a bit. I told Nathanial that these shoes will be his when I finally pass away. After my wife said, "they are going in the coffin with you", he said, "no way - I'm totally getting them!" That's my boy! Today's outfit has a total outfit cost-per-wear of $103.39. Use your items well, keep them well maintained, and your outfits will be incredibly valuable every time you wear them. Today's outfit is a deliberate study in purple tonal harmony—a sophisticated vest-and-tie combination perfect for internal video conferences with out-of-state employees, plus an in-person meeting at the Torrance Office. • Shirt — DS-031 (Charles Tyrwhitt): A lilac Burlington Weave Prince of Wales Check dress shirt in classic fit with French cuffs and a point collar (5.75" spread). The subtle check pattern adds visual depth without overwhelming the camera, while the lilac base sets the purple theme for the entire outfit. Cost: $55.07 | Wears: 5 | CPW: $11.01

Its Friday, so that means coffee with my youngest, then back to the home office for work. Today thought I had an interview with the Society of Ordinary Gentlemen and then had to run somee leans into my eldest at her school. This means I am posting a little later than normal. Todays outfit consists of; M.J. Bale Ashford suit in Charcoal M.J. Bale Rostini Pocket Square folded so just the blue is showing OTAA Winthrope Gray Weave Lucious Shirt OTAA Gibraltar Graphite Blue Stripe Tie OTAA Shining Silver Tie Clip OTAA Jack O’ Cups Shattuckite Skull Bracelet, a stone known for truth, intuition, and psychic communication Monterey Watch Co Black Bead Bracelet Brixton Brood Cap in Washed Navy and Aluminium Anson Navy Leather Strap with a Traditional Gunmetal Buckle Mitch Dowd Astronaut socks (reminds me of the MTV logo) CNES MTO Oxford with Goodyear welted construction crafted from Italian vegetable tanned crust leather SOTD - Viktor and Rolf Spicebomb Nightvision WOTD - Casio Duro MDV106B-1A1, aka Bob Marlin

I’m grateful for evenings like this—sharing time with my two grown children, hearing about their lives, and simply enjoying being together. As parents, we spend years raising them, and it is a special blessing when those relationships mature into genuine friendship and companionship. Tonight, overlooking downtown Durham, NC from a rooftop restaurant, I’m reminded that some of life’s greatest gifts are not found in places or possessions, but in the moments we share with family.