Dressing for the Summer
I understand, I really do: you’ve forgotten what it feels like to be warm, it’s been cold for so long, and warm-weather-euphoria is bubbling through your bloodstream like champagne. At this point in spring every Classic Sir looks forward to grilling and hitting the beach, but so often I’ve observed even the most level-headed sartorialist [...]
More
Why Men Love Don: Part 2
I don’t claim to have as many problems as Don. Heck, I’m not even sure I’m as psychologically real. I do, though, know that there is something immensely comforting about wearing a uniform; you know who you are, because you know what you’re wearing, and vice versa. Oscar Wilde wrote in his essay 1891 essay [...]
More
Why Men Love Don: Part 1
If you’re anything like me–and because you’re reading this I assume you are–you made a kindergarten-style paper chain to mark the days until the premiere of season six of Mad Men. Few cultural artifacts have made such an impact on contemporary public consciousness as this show has, and few creations have had as great an [...]
More
Learn How to Tie a Bow Tie
Simply knowing when to wear a bow tie is just not enough. Knowing how to tie a bow tie separates you from the masses who don’t know the finer points of tying one, let alone the basics. If you are a first time buyer, remember that there are two variations of bow ties. The more [...]
More
Too Soft?
Maybe it’s just me, maybe it’s my penchant for all things preppy, maybe it’s that fleece (the least preppy fabric) or anything resembling fleece gives me the howling fantods, but I have to finally come out and say it: I don’t like cashmere. I kind of hate it, actually. Put down your pitchfork. You, pocket [...]
More
The Best Day Of The Year
Last Sunday, November 11 was, other than St. Crispin’s Day and Festivus, my favorite holiday. The wales align on Corduroy Day, the date that most resembles the “cloth of kings” (corduroy’s French translation). So, in homage, I’d like to spend a meditative moment or two in tribute to this classic autumnal fabric. No other fabric [...]
More
A Manifesto for the Modern Man
On Classic Sir, we like to talk about “Rules of the Game,” the laws that guide us in the pursuit of becoming the perfect gentleman. Pick up the check. No hats indoors. Iron your shirts. But for as many of these as we can come up with, being a gentleman ultimately comes down to [...]
More
How to Take the Perfect Picture
We all have that one friend that loves taking pictures of everyone and everything. Thanks to digital cameras, anybody can become a pro photographer overnight, and they’ll want to take pictures of you. Modern gentlemen need to know how to take a good photo, or they’ll be caught looking stunned instead of stunning. Whether you’re [...]
More
The Perfect Martini
“Every man should know how to make at least one signature drink. You never know when you might have an unexpected guest” -Classic Sir Mixing the perfect martini is an art form. It’s part muscle memory, part exquisite palette, and part creativity. Nailing the process down to a science means you’ll have to experiment, so [...]
More
Etymology Of An Idea
The Gentleman is always truthful and sincere; will not agree for the sake of complaisance or out of weakness ; will not pass over that of which he disapproves. He has a clear soul, and a fearless, straightforward tongue. On the other hand he is not blunt and rude. His truth is courteous; his courtesy, [...]
More