ove is indeed a many splendoured thing: it is truly empowering and life affirming in that it is the engine tasked with both stoking our passionate flames and fuelling our every characteristic desire; it is what drives us to pursue becoming better (attired and otherwise) men who reach for new heights, endeavour to knock down barriers, and who are dead set on overcoming seemingly impossible feats; it, simply put, elevates our spirits, both toys with and alters our perceptions, principles, and emotions (read: blinds us), and profoundly effects the nature in which we choose to lead and live our lives. |
My point being is that love (in its many forms) is omnipresent and transformative, an endearing entity in which we all seek whether in the arms of another, through gratification of ones professional calling/craft; or perhaps even in the form of a lifelong habitual pursuit (i.e. a love of fashion, poetry, etc.).
Be that as it may, resting before you today is a romantic lifestyle edit fit for a gentleman that can aid you in your active pursuit of seeking/maintaining an enduring form of (fully reciprocated emotional + physical) love in the arms of another.
Arriving in the form of three occasion specific — swoon-worthy — date night ensembles that will confidently position you for success whether you are set upon seducing, winning over, or perhaps holding onto that special someone who "completes" or (better yet) fully compliments your life (i.e. your soul mate or star-crossed lover) , this style edit is for those who have a near equitable love for both style and the apple of their eye — those who are dedicated to pleasing another and who always wear their hearts on their sleeves.
That being said, it must be said that in (personal) style as in life (and love) itself, your relative success in either can essentially be measured by the nature and extent in which you endeavour to going above-and-beyond the norm in paying attention to those (often seemingly inconsequential) finer details that — when all is said and done — make the largest impact and biggest difference.
In matters purely sartorial, those "small things" often can be boiled down to simply making sure your clothing fits flatteringly, that you are dressed appropriately and well groomed, and that you always put in an effort (whether it is expected or not) whilst in their company no matter the nature nor weight of the occasion at hand — to showing them you care, respect, and value both their company and time enough to show up looking as fashionably insatiable as a finely aged wine is tasteful (read: never taking them for granted).
To that tune, what awaits below is an inspirational three-pronged demonstration (which is briefly previewed above) on how to properly leverage, best utilize, and fully harness the striking boldness, rich warmth and connotative romanticism of red (and its various hues; burgundy being chief amongst the lot).
A colour that is grossly underused in a modern age that often sees us spoilt for choice, its romantic undertones will most assuredly prove to be charming in note and eminently beneficial come date night.
All that being said, this style edit will aid you in (sartorially) flirting your way to success by means of providing three smooth, fashionably crisp looks that by all means could be considered as being sartorial foreplay in fluid motion in that they are capable of sending hearts aflutter upon first glance.
Sartorially astute, often rakishly spirited, and classically refined from dusk till dawn, here's to taking queues from our fashionable forebears in due course of bringing a true sense of romance, mystery, and (sartorial) chivalry back into the courtship fold alongside intimate romantic gestures such as handwritten love letters and the Victorian language of floriography.
So with that in mind, lets together pledge to putting on a reflective masterclass in sartorial romanticism in our pursuits of love and lust — to showing that special someone that “amor meus amplior quam versa est”.
After all, "amor est vitae essentia"!
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Date night (whether it lands on Valentine’s Day, an anniversary, or simply a spontaneous Tuesday) can certainly be stress inducing for many a reason, but one facet of it that needn’t be a cause for concern is that of your style. And as luck would have it this inspiring style edit, or any red-enlivened look fashioned in a like-minded derivation thereof, will guarantee that at the very least your attire will be up for the occasion, look top notch, and play off without a nary a sartorial hitch in due process of making them sweet upon you. With that in mind (and your style properly sorted out), I'd be remiss in my duty if I did not mention that you should remain open to the notion of calling an audible on your plans if something goes array or an alternative venue is proposed that feels more natural or befitting of your company and the nature of the occasion. |
On the other hand, does a candle-lit dinner seem a touch too cliche or contrived?
Simply pick up your favourite take-out meal and venture out into the unknown (say a local park or a previously scouted romantic location) for an impromptu picnic date followed by a day of shopping together (i.e. perhaps try on and pick out a new outfit/article of clothing for one another to spice things up). .
That being said , do also bear in mind that thoughtfulness always trumps extravagance as does intimacy over monetary plays for possession — money, after all, cannot buy true love nor happiness.
So, whether its the red carpet of date nights (read: Valentine’s Day), a typical Friday, or an anniversary celebration, here's to always dressing to impress (whether ensconced in red or not), bringing a touch of class and mystery back to date night, writing your own (sartorial) love story, and to channeling the chivalrous spirit of our genteel forebears.
"Amor est vitae essentia" indeed!
Thoughts, opinions and shopping the main edit…
Share your musings, anecdotes or perhaps shop the pieces from the "Modern Lothario" look below…
TOPMAN: Skinny Fit Charcoal Check Three-Piece Suit (alternative: INDOCHINO) THOMAS PINK: Cotton Dress Shirt (shown: Turnbull & Asser) KINGSMAN: Whole-Cut Black Oxfords (frugal alternative: ASOS ) ASOS: Belted Mixed-Wool Double-Breasted Overcoat w/ Fleece Collar (shown: Alexander McQueen) THE TIE BAR: White Pocket Square w/ Burgundy Contrast Piping | CORGI: Burgundy Polka Dot Socks TOPMAN: Burgundy Herringbone Tie TIFFANY: East West Watch (frugal alternative: Larsson & Jennings Norse) BORSALINO: Wool Felt Fedora SAKS FIFTH AVENUE: Burgundy Silk-Wool Blend Polka Dot Scarf MAX PITTION: Diplomat Glasses SAM FRIDAY: Burgundy Boxer Brief (or ASOS) |
Kiehl's Original Musk | Tom Ford's Black Orchid | Penhaligon's Endymion Eau De Toilette | Diptyque L'ombre Dans L'eau