A Gentleman Gets Dressed Up

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When getting dressed for a social occasion of any sort, a gentleman allows himself enough time to do the job right. If he knows that he may be on a tight schedule, he lays his clothes out ahead of time. At the very least, he checks his closet to make sure he has ready access to the clothes he plans to wear. (Otherwise, he may discover that his dinner jacket is still hanging on a rack at the dry cleaner, or his favorite pair of shorts is at the bottom of the laundry hamper.)

In anticipation of a formal occasion, he checks his shoes to make sure they are shined and do not require new soles or heels. He also locates a pair of socks of a matching color or a coordinating pattern.

Because very few gentlemen these days enjoy the services of a valet, on the verge of a formal occasion, a foresightful gentleman inserts his studs into his shirtfront and his cuff links into his shirt cuffs before he steps into the shower. Well ahead of time, he buttons his suspenders to his trousers, so that the actual ritual of getting dressed can be as unflurried as possible, allowing him the leisure, perhaps, to enjoy a drink as he ties his bow tie.

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So that he feels absolutely at ease, in his own body and in the company of others, a gentleman makes sure to use fresh deodorant and brush his teeth (and floss if necessary). He may also wish to rinse with an understated mouthwash, use eye drops (especially if he expects to be in smoky surroundings), and polish his glasses with a good lens cleaner. Except for the deodorant and the tooth brushing, none of these efforts is a necessity. Nevertheless, any of them increases a gentleman’s self-confidence, allowing him to walk out the door, fully armed, fully assured, and thoroughly prepared.