Deo Veritas – Dress Shirts and Lifestyle

I’ve joined the Mad Men bandwagon. My friends have been asking me to check it out, but I was still getting over The Wire. Going from The Wire to Mad Men requires a transitional period or possibly a time machine. Nonetheless, I was bowled over by the writing, acting and the look of the show. It seems the limitations of basic cable have spurred the writers to think outside the box and triumph with a creative edge only thought to be found on HBO or Showtime. Who knew intelligent plots and fierce writing could still exist? Sure I can’t relate specifically to the time period, but I can identify with the characters’ motives and dilemmas. It’s also fascinating to be introduced to a new world in which style and manners were expected and not saved for special occasions.

Read more…

A few months ago, I was shopping for a dress shirt at Nordstrom’s. I was looking for a light yellow shade. After diligently perusing through seven or eight various shades and fabrics for about a ½ hr, I narrowed it down to four choices. Of the four, I wanted a slim fit so that narrowed down my selection to two designers, Calvin Klein and Hugo Boss. I then had to dig through the stacks of yellow and find the proper shirt size (16 32/33). I’ve learned the hard way that no two designers measure the same, each with their own sizing quirks, so I journeyed into the fitting room and tried them on. The Calvin Klein felt baggy but it was supposed to be fitted and the Hugo Boss was long on the sleeves, reaching my thumbs. I tried on a shorter sleeved Boss and it still was a little long but the only size they had left. After spending almost two hours looking for one shirt, I was pressed for time and compromised, going with the Boss.

I think the ordeal I’ve just described has probably happened to you as well. I think we’ve all spent time at a store looking for a few shirts and took the time to make sure it’s the right one, which can become a lengthy process. You may even skip trying it on and just find the size, only to find out later at home it needs to be returned or your stuck with an ill fitted shirt. It’s common for ready made shirts not to fit correctly, each with a unique flaw. Getting shirts tailored is great but that extra cost and time cause a lot of us to think twice and skip it. You’re already spending good money on the shirt; do you really want to spend more?

I tend to be picky when buying my dress shirts. I wear them frequently for work or on a night out, and want something of quality, but I don’t want to spend a fortune. I also want the shirt to be unique, expressing my personality. Most importantly, I want it to fit right. A well fitted shirt makes anyone look better, complimenting their features, making a strong impression but also making you feel comfortable and confident as well. There’s nothing wrong with an edge in the office or the lounge.

Well, I think it’s time we stopped compromising. It’s time to get the dress shirt we want, from the exact fit and finish, to the fabric, the cuff design and whatever else we can think of. Why? Because now we can.

Read more…