 |   hile it certainly holds true that not every gentleman (very few in fact) is born (or rather groomed) into the sort of prominent family or gilded lifestyle that necessitates being honourably served by our very own — improbably well-informed and resourceful — Jeeves (i.e. a true blue gentleman's gentleman/butler), of being cut from the same cloth as one Mr. Bertie Wooster as it were, what each of us can indeed ably conscript into our immediate service (irrespective of means, social standing or vocation) as a rakish alternative.is that of the traditional clothes valet (or perhaps its cousin: the tailoring/dress form mannequin). For near on two centuries continually revered as an exquisite (stately + quintessential) piece of interior decor wholly deserving of its vaunted pride of place in the home of every gentleman of style and substance, the at once handsome and practical clothes valet is most assuredly far from mere masculine eye-candy (which, mind you, it certainly is) or simple decor dressing inasmuch as it has continually pulled double duty as not only a tangible dress form in which one can confidently utilize to both visually experiment with the various components of his wardrobe (i.e. to confirm sartorial harmony) and to fashionably set aside what he intends to sport the following day, but also as a reliable custodian in which each of us can lay to rest our attire after a long day's wear (so as to allow it to refresh & regain its natural drape). To that end capable of imparting a true sense of occasion as well as a touch of class and streamlined utility to our morning dressing rituals, here's why I believe it is deserving of your all due consideration alongside that of a brief dossier and shopping guide that touch upon a few fine specimens to perhaps invest in should the desire strike… |
It once was that a gentleman and his gentleman’s gentleman — that is his clothes/suit valet rather then butler in this instance — were not simply amicable common-law partners but rather a truly unstoppable (sartorial) duo to be reckoned with.
Originally fashioned (and employed near exclusively by the well-to-do) as a refined yet eminently practical home decor staple primarily tasked with aiding one in his transitional comportment of dress from day to night (read: from one social/business/leisure affair or occasion to another), the traditional gentleman's valet has managed to (over the years) broaden its social scope whilst nevertheless continually retaining its sophisticated masculine aesthetic appeal in addition to its peerless ability to not only help one properly maintain his wardrobe (read: keeping everything in tip-top shape and not strewn about the floor) but to function as a capable grooming assistant and a catch-all receptacle of sorts in which one can conveniently collect all his daily bits-and-bobs within should he desire — from sunnies and timepieces through phones, keys and jewelry.
In such a regard, you could say that it long ago solidified its endearing status as an exceptional (and quintessential) piece of furniture for any gentleman with an eye for design who wishes to properly maintain and effortlessly manage his wardrobe in sheer style.
Originally fashioned (and employed near exclusively by the well-to-do) as a refined yet eminently practical home decor staple primarily tasked with aiding one in his transitional comportment of dress from day to night (read: from one social/business/leisure affair or occasion to another), the traditional gentleman's valet has managed to (over the years) broaden its social scope whilst nevertheless continually retaining its sophisticated masculine aesthetic appeal in addition to its peerless ability to not only help one properly maintain his wardrobe (read: keeping everything in tip-top shape and not strewn about the floor) but to function as a capable grooming assistant and a catch-all receptacle of sorts in which one can conveniently collect all his daily bits-and-bobs within should he desire — from sunnies and timepieces through phones, keys and jewelry.
In such a regard, you could say that it long ago solidified its endearing status as an exceptional (and quintessential) piece of furniture for any gentleman with an eye for design who wishes to properly maintain and effortlessly manage his wardrobe in sheer style.
Be that as it may, the clothing valet — which when stripped down to its core function can simply help streamline getting dressed in the morning — will make for a profoundly smart and considered investment whether you choose to place it in your bedroom, your study or perhaps even your office; Insofar as such, it is an ideal accoutrement for the gentleman of substance whose signature style extends well beyond the restrictive bounds of his personal wardrobe.
Aesthetically speaking, each individual (ideally bespoke) valet is characteristically marked by what is a great many traditional stances — from wooden stand and wall valets through ornate, vintage metal frames — as well as a compositional markup that varies in its unique assortment of jacket and trousers hangers, shoe bars and a choice selection of valet trays, jewelry boxes, drawers and hooks (as illustrated in the graphic above).
As for its merited utility and underlying versatility, the valet has been (and continues to be) primarily used as either a fine form in which to rest one’s clothing upon after a day’s wear (so as to allow it to return to its original form + discard any accumulated scents) or rather as a anticipatory vessel in which you can turn to in regards to laying out his wardrobe for the upcoming day — either or, it keeps everything in neat order and enables a gent to get ready for the days events with little to no fuss (nor last-minute late-morning scrambling).
As such, its overarching virtues are certainly aplenty, its classic masculine appeal endearing and fully in-tact, and its functional utility all but impeachable in modern application.
Aesthetically speaking, each individual (ideally bespoke) valet is characteristically marked by what is a great many traditional stances — from wooden stand and wall valets through ornate, vintage metal frames — as well as a compositional markup that varies in its unique assortment of jacket and trousers hangers, shoe bars and a choice selection of valet trays, jewelry boxes, drawers and hooks (as illustrated in the graphic above).
As for its merited utility and underlying versatility, the valet has been (and continues to be) primarily used as either a fine form in which to rest one’s clothing upon after a day’s wear (so as to allow it to return to its original form + discard any accumulated scents) or rather as a anticipatory vessel in which you can turn to in regards to laying out his wardrobe for the upcoming day — either or, it keeps everything in neat order and enables a gent to get ready for the days events with little to no fuss (nor last-minute late-morning scrambling).
As such, its overarching virtues are certainly aplenty, its classic masculine appeal endearing and fully in-tact, and its functional utility all but impeachable in modern application.
That being said, and for those whose interest (or perhaps simply curiosity) has been piqued, what now follows is a fine selection of handsome valets — from traditional hardwood (be it walnut, mahogany, cedar, oak or cherry) stands through fabricated mannequin dress forms — that arrive in a tasteful array of stylish silhouettes and guises all of which are available at varied invested price vantages.
Individually chosen (and personally recommended) as consequence of earning predominantly positive, glowing reviews that generally state that each respective piece is as structurally sound and industrious as it is aesthetically appealing, each one of these fine specimens should prove readily capable of not only prolonging the lifecycle of your clothing and adding aesthetic appeal to your humble abode but of making getting dressed in the morning an eminently more enjoyable experience — one, of course, that is steeped in bygone characteristic class and sophisticated panache.
Longevity and maintenance, after all, do indeed go hand in hand with style and fine taste — and the valet personifies that statement in one exquisite package.
Individually chosen (and personally recommended) as consequence of earning predominantly positive, glowing reviews that generally state that each respective piece is as structurally sound and industrious as it is aesthetically appealing, each one of these fine specimens should prove readily capable of not only prolonging the lifecycle of your clothing and adding aesthetic appeal to your humble abode but of making getting dressed in the morning an eminently more enjoyable experience — one, of course, that is steeped in bygone characteristic class and sophisticated panache.
Longevity and maintenance, after all, do indeed go hand in hand with style and fine taste — and the valet personifies that statement in one exquisite package.
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 — Linley -- |  — Jonathan Charles -- |
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 — Honorific x Permanent Style -- |  — Vintage Butler -- |
| All that being said, it must be noted that this once high-bred status symbol has all but fallen out of favour over the years (do in no small part to the casual-ization of menswear/dressage habits over the past century) and as such is a rare sight these days, save that of in fine haberdasheries, bespoke tailor shops and the homes of the well-to-do or aspiring few. Be that as it may, and associative history and cultural cachet notwithstanding, the main reason I would nevertheless recommend investing in a clothes valet today (or a dress form mannequin should you prefer it), outside of those already noted above that is, is that it may well prove itself capable of acting as the root foundational basis from which you can efficiently (and visually) pursue not only honing but taking your personal style to the next level all the while affording you a proper vessel in which to treat (and serve up) your habiliments with the all due respect (and platter/storage) they deserve — much alike a beloved friend that becomes better with age & nurturing. | : A Few Alternatives : |
So, let us together pledge to once again offering this exquisite piece the pride of place it deserves in the interior home decor scope whether or not we are in immediate need of frequently transitioning between alternative (specialized) outfits throughout the day — which was originally one of its primary roles; the one role in which it is often said socially necessitated its compulsory ownership — or simply harbour an innate desire to get dressed in the morning in arguably the finest manner possible.
And should that not be reason enough to sway you, do keep in mind that it will increase the longevity of your clothing erstwhile making life easier, getting dressed in the morning a tastefully expedited process, and experimenting with your wardrobe (at-large) a simple and visual pleasure — plain and simple and rather quintessential indeed.
*Interested in unique or vintage fares? Do peruse sights such as 1dibs, ETSY, MONOQI, Houzz, and eBay for truly unique artifacts and real steals (some of which were featured above). Likewise, if you have a strict budget in play, these valets from Winsome as well as Proman seem to be quite popular alternatives.
And should that not be reason enough to sway you, do keep in mind that it will increase the longevity of your clothing erstwhile making life easier, getting dressed in the morning a tastefully expedited process, and experimenting with your wardrobe (at-large) a simple and visual pleasure — plain and simple and rather quintessential indeed.
*Interested in unique or vintage fares? Do peruse sights such as 1dibs, ETSY, MONOQI, Houzz, and eBay for truly unique artifacts and real steals (some of which were featured above). Likewise, if you have a strict budget in play, these valets from Winsome as well as Proman seem to be quite popular alternatives.
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Do you own a clothes valet? If so, what brought you to it? And if not, why not (i.e. space, cost, etc.)?
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