I swear I'm a Libra. I always look at two sides of a situation, which is insanely problematic for me since I can never make a decision. I know I'm a Leo because I bask in attention and I'm arguably stubborn. Maybe it's an ascending sign thing. Whatever. That is how I feel about style. I'm either into the delicately feminine or the totally masculine. All to say, what's in right now, I don't want to ever go away. I'm going nuts on my beloved online shoppes: TOPSHOP, ASOS, Urban, James Perse, Shopbob, Ron Herman, mytheresa.com and La Garçonne. The things I would do for the perfect boyfriend blazer! Alas, I digress. Can you see my quandary? I am overwhelmed with all that I want, yet I can't afford nor can I get the clothes now as I'm not at my happy weight. Once I get to my happy weight and stay at my happy weight then and only then will I allow myself to invest in the expenses of a new masuline/feminine wardrobe. But when will I get to my happy weight? Will it all by around by then or will there only be a few disheveled pieces on the measly little sales racks? Buying it now will be wasteful... which brings me to the telling question, will I want it when? A uselessly moot wrangling, I realize.
Taste my pain, friends. Look at this, and say, "Nay! You can't have it..." It hurts!
This is only the menswear inspired. Imagine all the dresses... Also, how much do you love Scott from The Sartorialist? How could you not be completely inspired by menswear after perusing his blog. Also check out the sweetest post of his. I can't seen to link it properly but here so here's a good ol copy/paste of Scott Schuman's ideas on manners and grace.
See what I mean? How can you not bow down and respect?A Graceful Man, A Gentleman
Thanks everyone for all your great suggestions on books about modern manners. I can't wait to get a few and brush up on a few things before my next big dinner party.
For me, this is blogging at it's best. Being able to create a community of individuals that share information and ideas that can make the community as a whole a better place. Thank you.
One of the things I mentioned yesterday, was the "manner" of a person. "Manner" or "grace" is not something that you can learn from a book. Unfortunately, it is something you just have to be or to develop.
A great scene of modern grace on '30 Rock' the other day:
Liz and Jack went out to dinner at a very chic restaurant. As they sat down at the table, Jack immediately moved the candle from the center of the setting to the side of the table. Liz looked at him kinda funny, not understanding why he did that but, not really caring either. Later, however, when Liz reached across the table to steal some of Jack's food (as she always does), she realized he moved the candle so her sleeve wouldn't catch fire when she reached across the table. Jack's manner and grace were so attuned to her as a friend, that he knew her moves before she did. That tiny gesture ended up becoming the pivotal moment of the episode and changed the course of their business relationship.
I'm telling you guys again, women notice the small stuff. They notice the gentleness/gentlemenliness more than if you use the right fork at dinner. I'm a very lucky man, Garance notices every little kindness I offer her, she doesn't miss a thing. Knowing that makes it so much more rewarding to do even more little things for her. I'll be honest, my biggest obsession in life right now is not better shoes, more suits or a bigger career but, to simply be a more graceful man for my graceful woman.
So women, in the spirit of grace, manner and Valentine's Day, take a moment and share with us men some of the little kindnesses that your man has done for you that made your heart flutter. Us men might learn something and you might gain an even more graceful man, a gentleman.
Editor's Note: For my gay readers, I can only write this as I know it, a man loving a woman. Don't let this keep you from joining the conversation. If you have tiny acts of kindness from a boyfriend to a boyfriend, or girlfriend to a girlfriend, please share with us!
Grace is Grace.
It doesn't matter who you're lovin', it's how you're lovin'!
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