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TGG Answer Corner: Q & A
It seems the Young Gentlemen’s movement is gaining some steam. In our Q & A forum we have received questions and queries from Gentlemen-in-Training and the Established-Gentry alike. The most persistent theme being: Being A Gentleman; how do I do it?
A: Keep reading the blog, spread the word, and remember: “Classic is timeless” paired with “Less is More” (and a dash of “substance over brands” is a good start and a mantra to keep with you.
Okay, let’s get to it!
Dear TGG,
I am in a bit of conundrum. I feel somewhat abashed writing to you about this, but hopefully you can offer me some insight… I am an aspiring young gentleman at the age of twenty-three. I think to disclose this fact to my comrades would make me feel somewhat ostracized. It is unfortunate that we live in a society that feels a resentment for those who are concerned about appearance and live the hedonistic lifestyle. How do you think I could practice being a young gentleman without giving off the notion that I am snobbish or dislocated from my peer group? Or do you feel that this challenge that all gentleman today have to face? On that note aside, do you happen to recommend a good reference book that I can follow to improve myself and learn more of the art of being a gentleman.
Sincerely, Aspring Young Gentleman
Answer:
he·don·ism/ˈhēdnˌizəm/Noun
1. The pursuit of pleasure.
2. The ethical theory that pleasure is the highest good and proper aim of human life
WAIT, what’s wrong with that? Nothing.
Some people don’t get it, but it would also be a glaring oversight to not note that many religious dogma carry a footnote on Hedonism: Don’t do it. But, this is silly, the pursuit of pleasure is as unique as the grooves on the tips of our fingers which make up our fingerprints. For Mother Theresa (if I can continue on this tangent) her cause was her hedonism. For others that pursuit may be different in nature but never in aim.
If this is your life’s philosophy, why disclose it at all? This is your life, live it and pursue what is ultimately excellence in everything you do (eat, wear, drive, are a part of, believe etc…)— if genuine (and grounded in substance) people will recognize this. If one’s intentions are not grounded in substance or are false, then such aspirations will come off exactly as that; aspirational, snobbish, and obnoxious.
How we define what it is to be a Young Gentleman answers the second part of your question: is a Young Gentleman A) a male fashionista who indulges in reflecting the world’s runways and indulges in all things Gucci while donning an Hermes belt with a huge “H” on the buckle; B) a ‘dandy’ who walks around in innocuous social situations (at the Café, pub, or relaxing with friends) in monogrammed velvet slippers and owns a collection of pocket squares and cravats which are all worn generously OR C) is a Young Gentleman one who understands that life is a mix of pursuing pleasure and dreams while simultaneously understanding our obligation to the world and those around us never forgetting to indulge in celebrating life’s occasions with the best the world has to offer.
We think a little bit of B and a whole lot of C (we can attest to our Editor-in-Chief’s large collection of custom-made cravattes and his yearning for velvet-slippers). All men who wish to care a little bit more about what they wear and spend a little more time worrying about what they look like will always face certain amount of consternation- this depends largely on what part of the world you live in.
Go to Capri or Napoli in the summer and the endless cascade of pinks, light blues, and faded yellows on men wearing close-fitting pants and cropped jackets will amaze you (all straight macho-men by the way). Try to dress like that in Detroit, Michigan or in Podgorica, Montenegro and you may seem somewhat out of place and ripe for the picking. To be a Gentleman is, yes, to dress… but to dress timelessly, to have a style which is the most understatedly apparent in the details; and those details (all of them) are never forgotten; what’s more those details extend to every corner of your life.
So, Aspiring Young Gentleman, go forth into the world follow your bliss and forget what anyone has to say about it- for your happiness is, ultimately, your own private pleasure.
And remember… Although it may have taken you 45 minutes to get ready a man should never look like he took more than 5 minutes to do so. Anything else comes off as contrived (i.e. trying to hard).
PS- Alejandro’s personal favorite (and we agree with our dear Editor-in-Chief) is GENTLEMAN: A TIMELESS GUIDE TO FASHION (Ullmann) by Bernhard Roetzel which you can find here: http://amzn.to/msprmg
The Young Gentlemen’s Summer Guide 2011
The temperature keeps rising, the days longer and the nights become balmier as Spring unfurls into summer but not to worry The Young Gentlemen’s Guide is here!
Although not quite “hot” yet in most parts of the world (Europe is still quite cool, and the band that stretches from Barcelona through Milan, Istanbul and Dubrovnik a bit on the grey and rainy-side) the time has come to get ready for summer nonetheless. For the true gentleman, one that eschews the wonts and desires of trends and fashionistas respectively what then does summer mean to him?
Wardrobe
Time to loosen it up… hot weather overall all too often translates into the degeneration of a man’s attention to the ‘smartness’ of his attire: i.e. when it gets hot, he gets sloppy. No reason; beating the heat does not mean dressing any less sharp than before-. Size is still king, wearing a size to two too big does not equal cool (in either use of the word). Play around with fabrics; most makers, houses, haberdashers and designers offer lighter-weight versions of their shirts and trousers.
- Looking Forward (Posts to Come…):
- 5 Things of the Moment: The summer wardrobe.
- Linen Primer
- “Color Me Bad: The Ins and Outs of Bright Summer Sartorial Splendor”
Drink
The time for “dark spirits” (re: Scotch, Cognac, etc…) is slowly coming to an end. But if you still can’t put down your Bourbon try the myriad “white whiskeys” or “moonshine” out on the market today; sadly many of these are only available in the States. Gin, as ever, is appropriate (and welcome) at any time of the year and a Gin Fizz (Gin+Soda Water+Squeeze Lime) is always welcome (leave the Vodka for another time). No spirit is as identifiable with summer as Rum and with it the brilliance of a TRUE Daiquiri (one part rum+two pars lime juice+1 part sugar/ shake/ on ice + bitters); this was one of Hemingway’s favorites, often called the “Hemingway Daiquiri”- one sip and you’ll know why. Stick with traditional white Rums (Don Q, Methuselah, Havana Club) or Premium whites (Orinoco, Cane 5 etc) and don’t skimp on the fresh lime.
- Looking Forward on Man-Can-Drink:
- Summer Gin Drinks
- The Hemingway Daiquiri
- The Perfect Mojito
- Punch
Wine
Need we remind any gentleman out there that once the temperature surpasses a certain point at midday reds are out of the question. Most of the French (especially those sun bathing on the Mediterranean coast) may argue that that point is 77F while others may argue this point the dictum stands: If it’s hot / sunny enough to get a tan, it’s warm enough for a rose. There we said it. Man-up, rose is not foppish, nor is it supposed to be sweet… a great rose carries with it the refreshing crispness of a white with the nuanced romance of a red; all in a wine that can be enjoyed with anything from a burger, to grilled prawns or a beautiful sunset. For an authentic summer rose stick to those of Provence (southern France).
- Looking Forward on Man-Can-Wine:
- The Rose Primer
- California Summer-Wine Round-up
- The Allure of Italian Whites
- Obscure Pleasures
Fragrance
You DON’T HAVE TO change your fragrance with the seasons, this is true—but you don’t have to stop wearing as Jacket either… it’s just nice to. Most of life’s pleasures are purely elective and those small details which bring civilization into our daily lives can too be casted as frivolous—but then again that’s their nature (so stop complaining already). At this point all the heavy oriental fragrances, the colognes with heavy woods and musks and those with an orange hue need to go away (remember: cool, dark, place…). Reach out for fragrances which remind you of the pleasures of summer. Last year we brought you the “Smells Like Summer” which we are bringing back on 2011 with a new line-up of fragrances. Summer is the time for fragrances that are light, airy and err on the green, fresh, citrus or aquatic side. Stay tuned. (We like the Heeley Sel Marin above… review coming soon).
- Looking Forward on Smell’s Like Summer 2011
- Summer 2011 Basics
- The Aquatics
- Fresh and Citrus
Life
Summer is time to let go, relax, and through out all the baggage. Take up a hobby; sky dive, learn to fly, go boating but whatever you do…. Relax.
- Looking Forward on Bespoke Life:
- A boat all your own…
- A Man, A Plane
- Superfluous Necessities
- Ron Tulotta keeps lighting up our blog with his Cuban Cigar posts
- And more!
Stay tuned and join the discussion, leave your comments and follow us on Twitter (TGG_Insider) and Facebook!
TGG Welcomes Editor-In-Chief…
The Young Gentlemen’s Guide celebrates it’s third year in publication this August and as you have no doubt noticed we are shaking things up for our anniversary (ahem… the look).
More over we want to ensure our loyal readers and subscribers that they can always count with timely, fresh and high quality content every week. In an effort to keep TGG current and continue to develop a more effective Web-Zine we have tapped the talents of our current Editor-At-Large; Alejandro Ortiz, to spear-head the effort to refresh TGG.
Alejandro is a life-style, luxury, and hospitality consultant whose clients includes one of the world’s top boutique hotel-groups as well, celebrity chefs, and private individuals. Alejandro was a regular contributor to Sommelier India Magazine and has been the editor-at-large of the lifestyle blog The Young Gentlemen’s Guide (an earlier interview in this blog with Alejandro here). Alejandro splits his time between Singapore (office), India, Montenegro and Miami. He is currently working on a novel and random works of short fiction.
The overall Mission of The Young Gentlemen’s Guide will be kept in tact as the overall feel evolves and the content and contributors expand as does our reach and our ability to be around not just three years but twenty years from now.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (TGG_Insider) for inside scoops on Gent’s gadgets, clothes and gear, sales, happenings and much more.
Follow Alejandro on Twitter @ Alejandro_TGG
Support Japan – Round-up for a great cause
In 1965 Teruyoshi Hayashida, a photgrapher, published a book which, although little known outside fashion circles, is the reference for classic American style. Out of print for decades, it has only recently found its way back to shelves. Until now that book “Take Ivy”, fashion insiders, creative directors and designers had copied, ebayed and scanned pages of this bastion of Classic Americana men’s wear.
Solidarity...
It would seem the Japanese inadvertently preserved a relic of our sartorial heritage– now it’s time to give back.
Look Good for a Cause…
Design your own custom polo here
San Francisco’s: Hope to Japan
Tuesday April 5th at the Hotel Nikko. Check out details here.
The United Way
“You can make a difference. Support the People of Japan through the United Way” here
Send a Message
Join Toyota’s “Support for Japan” and make a difference. (here)
TGG’s new look…
After a difficult two weeks, alot of traveling and a buys schedule our efforts have paid off with a new dynamic look for The Young Gentlemen’s Guide (give us feedback, tell us what you think!) and follow us on Twitter at TGG_Insider.
Pull up your pants… and get ready for the ride.
(please bear in mind with our new look some of our menus and links will change…_)
The Cuban Cigar Field-guide presents: The Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 2
TGG CIGAR PRIMER
Type: Figurado specifically: culebra
Origin: Cuba
Brand: Juan Lopez
Background: Founded in 1876 by Mr Juan Lopez
Last night I decided to crack open a very special bottle of Quinta do Portal “40 Year Old Tawny” Port (one of the few Ports still crushed by foot, yum!) to enjoy with an after dinner Habano; the Juan Lopez Seleccion No. 2 (given to me as a wedding gift almost 2 years ago).
I spent a few hours braising beef short ribs for the wife in a homemade demi-glace, alongside roasted root vegetables and hearty polenta made with Vermont cheddar… What a meal!
The Drink
Alas, to the main event:
Juan Lopez started his eponymous brand in 1876 and his heirs eventually sold it in 1918 to la Sociedad C. Del Peso y Cia. Eventually, like all Cuban cigar brands, it was nationalized after the revolution.
At the first draw I thought this was going to be a medium-to-full-bodied cigar and it was, although about one third of the way into the cigar it began to mellow quite a bit with background notes of chocolate. As it burned, now halfway through, the bluish/grey some was almost as good looking as the 2-inch ash (a sign of great craftsmanship). At this point this cigar comes to full bloom with an array of flavors ranging from rich creamy coffee to more dark chocolate that evenly coated my mouth. Towards the end a slight-peppery note and spiciness let’s you know this was a multi-faceted smoke and burned perfect from start to finish!
The Smoke
The stick matched up perfectly with my Quinta do Portal which had a very predominant fruit flavors, notably figs (a favorite) which, with the stogie’s slight flavors of cocoa and black pepper, you have a dessert to die for!-RT
Ron Tulotta, a Staten Island Native and trained Chef has worked in the kitchens of some of the America’s most renowned restaurants and lends his discerning palate, sacrifices it really, for TGG’s newest column, posted every other Wednesday: The Most Benelovent Cuban Cigar Field Guide”.
The Directory of Gentlemen’s Gear: One stop Shop
A gentleman needs to know where to get his gear for in this wide world we live in is often made-up of mediocrity and chock-a-block ubiquity and a smart gentleman (young or otherwise) distinguishes himself from the pack by imbibing in particular details that unique to him and his personal style.
THE Directory is proud to endorse the arrival of the web’s most ambitious site for today’s gentleman: Mr Porter. Mr Porter is the ‘for men’ version of long-establsihed women’s web-retailer ‘Net-a-Porter’ and a go to source for high-end furnishings and top of the line clothes. (worldwide shipping!).
Some of our favorites:
The Unstructured Cotton Blazer by Paul Smith (PS by Paul Smith)
The Summer Jacket
It may well be the only jacket you need this summer…
from Mr. Porter:
Taupe unstructured soft blazer from PS by Paul Smith with a peak lapel, contrast brown buttons, stitching detail throughout, a single vent and two flap pockets. A light and easy addition to a stylish casual look.
$610USD | Buy it here
Canvas Shoes by B Store
The Summer Shoe
Because you no gentleman should sport sweaty feet… this shoe is both elegant and casual for those times when espadrilles or boath shoes just won’t cut it but leather is not quite right either…
From Mr. Porter
Blue canvas lace up b Store shoes with toe cap detail and a contrasting leather sole.Wear with preppy chinos to balance a great smart-casual look.
$310USD | Buy it here
The Grown up Duffel a.k.a. The Clipper Leather Holdall by Mulberry
The real man-bag
Because you sir are a grown-ass man and backpacks or a logo-emblazoned are for students and the uninitiated (respectively). Take it to the gym, for a weekend trip, or to hold your misc gadgets and the such- it’s manly, sturdy and luxuriously understated.
From Mr. Porter:
Mulberry’s Clipper tan leather holdall with top handles, removable canvas shoulder strap and detachable internal document wallet. Ideal for spontaneous weekends away and overnight trips, this piece gives a dash of international jetset.
$1,450USD | Buy it here
– TGG
from the BeingManly blog | Vir Beātum on: Sportswear
It cannot have escaped your notice that professional sportsmen of various stamps are once again showing up to games wearing suits and ties, and leaving afterwards similarly attired.
THE England football team went to the last World Cup in grey three-piece affairs, and that was the best thing about their performance. This is all to the good, but something odd has happened.
England’s ‘footballers’
I was reflecting the other day on the origins of certain forms of sporting dress, namely that worn for cricket, tennis and snooker. Cricket whites, or creams, were originally cream slacks, white shirt, and wool sweater (sleeves optional), worn with sporting blazer and cap. The blazer and cap were removed prior to play, and made for the accidental uniform of the sport. This is still the case, as seen in the fine-looking captains of England and Australia, below. But when all this was taking shape, men of all stamps who went to look on also wore jackets and ties, and hats.
Ponting and Strauss, this week
Eton v. Harrow, Lord’s 1906
The tennis story is remarkably similar, as anyone who has seen old footage of Fred Perry playing will testify. The uniform of the sport was simply the uniform of the gentleman, but slightly unbuttoned. And the crowd spectated in collar, tie, and headgear.
Fred Perry
Snooker, which is now sinking into a mire of sad populism, owes its uniform to gentlemen’s evening wear, the dinner jacket being removed to leave simply a waistcoat, dress-shirt with bowtie, and dress trousers and shoes. Things devolved into the lounge suit, but basically remained attached to gentlemen’s formal attire. And those who watched the game would have looked much the same. Until the 1980s, the front rows of the audience at the World Championship wore black tie.
Joe Davis
More generally, the sporting audience of yesteryear went into the public gaze in appropriate clothing regardless of the sport. Baseball audiences of the 1950s, and even football (soccer) audiences up until the 1960s were suited, booted and crowned (and I’m talking of working-class audiences in the main). So why, when so many sportsmen are returning to the suit, do the watchers of sport now attend the fixtures of their favoured sports wearing the clothes in which modern athletes perform? What logic is there in wearing basketball gear to a basketball game? Or a football strip to a football match? So many sporting uniforms owe their existence to a distant relationship with gentlemanly (or at least respectable) sartorial standards, it now seems odd that sporting attire – with all its utilitarian considerations of comfort, the wicking away of sweat, and optimal performance for elite professionals – is informing what Mr. Public wears in the street, around the house, and to sit and watch.
Baseball crowd, Cleveland 1957
The explanation is perhaps wrought through an understanding of who reflects what. The amateur gentleman sportsman of old reflected the values of his society when he took to the field of play. Professionalism was a dirty word, and had nothing to do with the spirit of play. Now, professionalism is everywhere, and its crass tendrils infect us all. Celebrity, wealth, branding: these have become aspirations, and as such society attempts to reflect what it sees on the field of play. This inversion has little to redeem it, so let us hope that sportsmen’s return to decent clothing off the pitch ultimately has some influence on those of us who watch them on it. -VB
Vir Beātum writes for his blog BeingManly @ http://beingmanly.blogspot.com/
“I’m a professional historian with more than an academic interest in manliness and masculinities. I’m heartily glad you dropped by.”
The Most Benevolent Cuban Cigar Field-guide presents: The Partagas Culebra
TGG CIGAR PRIMER
Type: Figurado specifically: culebra
Origin: Cuba
Brand: Partagas
Background: Partagas was founded in 1827 and is often credited with being the first proper cigar factory.
THE lore of why Culebras are braided together range from “so the employees couldn’t steal more cigars”, to “making it difficult for employees to sell their unique daily stipend of cigars on the black market”.
Who knows what the truth is but I, for one, just care about the uniqueness of the cigar itself.
Appearance:
The twisted truth...
The Taste:
Cutting the end I take a few cold draws: It’s a nice and easy draw and as far as the flavor is concerned I only detect the slightest hint of barnyard shine through. I quickly toast the foot and take a few soft draws. The first third of it hits me with a shot of spice and a very mild earthy flavor. Two-thirds into the cigar things get interesting with a very strong woody almost cedar-like essence and a persistent hint of earth.
The last bit of the cigar unfurls hefty notes of leather with bits of cocoa and coffee which never seem to be overwhelming.
The beautiful grayish/black ash never lasts more then an inch at a time, partly due to the fact that the cigars had been severely manipulated by twisting them together but if you are looking to make a statement at your next event I highly recomend this Partagas Culebras to be the life of the party. –RT
Ron Tulotta, a Staten Island Native and trained Chef has worked in the kitchens of some of the America’s most renowned restaurants and lends his discerning palate, sacrifices it really, for TGG’s newest column, posted every other Wednesday: The Most Benelovent Cuban Cigar Field Guide”.
Circa Alejandro 
