16 Comments
Jan 10Liked by Not Me Not You

Politics is an aesthetic choice

Expand full comment

I would argue an alternative to the dress smart vibe of the piece is to make it look intentional. Not everyone wears a suit, and nor is it appropriate. In my field you'll struggle in interviews suited and booted.

But it should look intentional. Here the ladies have the edge, and the best of them can make one good quality dress work as formal wear or casual depending on accessories.

Men can do something similar. The key is quality. Pay for good footwear, good jackets and coats. Better quality shirts and even tshirts if that is what you wear. Make it all look like it goes together.

Expand full comment
author

Yes, "dressing well" doesn't mean rigidly adhering to any one style or set of rules. It's about knowing the rules, understanding that fashion can be timeless, and dressing yourself in that timeless way without chasing fads. You can "dress well" going to an event of any formality level.

Expand full comment
Feb 12Liked by Not Me Not You

I recently aquired a magnificently fit 3 piece suit, when I wore it while teaching Sunday School this week the difference in my students was obvious. Something about that suit said "sit and listen this man is telling you something important."

Expand full comment
Jan 10Liked by Not Me Not You

I've noticed that many in the DR space pay no heed to those of lesser economic status, the white men in blue collars that actually uphold modern infrastructure. It seems that the OGC is an aristocratic endeavor. If that's so, no worries. I eagerly await an aristocracy that has nobless oblige for those not destined to be elite yet still have dignity.

If I am completely off-base, I beg your pardon.

Expand full comment
author

The OGC is aristocratic but that does not mean "wealthy" or "white-collar." I'm a blue-collar guy. I spent the whole day crawling around in attics and I'm pretty sure my clothes have become so impregnated with fiberglass that they're now arc-flash rated. Aristocracy is not what you have, it's what you do. It's the embodiment of higher values in your own life through your action.

Most of my suits, shirts, slacks, and shoes are second-hand. I take some time to scour thrift stores then bring my finds to a tailor to have them properly fitted. Dressing well isn't about how much money you can show off.

Expand full comment

I dressed well in clothes from thrift stores when I had almost zero money. Go to the thrift stores near where rich people live. The white men in blue collars have evenings and weekends when they can dress sharp, whatever that may mean in context. The British Mods showed the way 60 years ago. That is one way to demonstrate that you have dignity even if you are not rich.

Expand full comment
Feb 12Liked by Not Me Not You

I mean a man in work boots, denim and rolled sleeves that all fit and enhance a well trained body project all the authority of a man in a perfectly pressed suit.

Expand full comment

Daniel Penny must be pardoned by Trump, and the judge disrobed.

Expand full comment
Jan 11Liked by Not Me Not You

Unfortunately he is being charged at the state level, so the President cannot pardon him.

Expand full comment
Jan 18Liked by Not Me Not You

Trump should pardon him anyways

Expand full comment
Jan 10Liked by Not Me Not You

I have a short-list of 'intellectuals' I despise most. Lindsay and Hanania always battle for the top spot.

Expand full comment

Excellent points. I only came across the OGC a few days ago through the Millenniyule interview, and was very impressed by the spirit of your venture. Coincidentally, I have just released an essay on precisely this theme as it relates to the dissident sphere, though in fact it militates against the suit. https://thejourneymansalmanac.substack.com/p/fremen-corture

I might qualify it here by saying that, though I attack the suitability of the suit as a standard mode of dress for us, I fully recognise that it's wearing is a mark of credit to all who don it for the right reasons, especially those who are cognizant of embodying those reasons; I only think that this right motivation might be better fulfilled by a less conventional pattern of attire.

Your piece improves on my thought as relates to the question of beauty, which you are right to emphasise as a quality and a power of itself, and has given me pause for thought. Thanks for your work.

Expand full comment

I cannot believe this is the first I'm hearing of your publication.

Expand full comment
author

Welcome!

Expand full comment

You made your dress point through a few others here. I have my own captions for the pictures you present and they are apolitical. I don't watch TV for over a decade.

The dressing part I agree with. This is about discipline from within.

Smaller countries have a necessity to keep up aesthetically. People are seen way more than in larger countries where commute is car dependant. This contributes to habits and a desire to compete to keep up in the eye of the humans. This visibility in the human mind, or lack of, is a major factor that influences over time how you present yourself in public. Living in large countries affects even born discipline.

Physicality and its beauty will never be threatened. Much less by cheap ideologies in political campains. Beauty is attractive to the mind and as such has been used and will be used to carry functions in a society.

It isn't strange that major characters in the Bible, like Joseph, David, Samuel, Ester, Saul, Daniel and many others were good looking. Their appearance often playing a game entering that was finished by their inner capacities.

Today, we can dress ourselves in Armani suits with gold cuff links while sporting a rolex, and yes we get the looks. But as I am sure you would agree, the real content comes from within. Being able to handle your confidence is key, and some can kill this in their pyjamas. Talk about hierarchy. No fancy needed.

Our inner hierarchies will never be changed. They might suffer the collective of their time, but even this suffer testifies about the value found in external apperancies. I only hope we use these inhereted genes with class and respect.

Expand full comment