u/Galahadred

I showed the front, so might as well also show the back.

Yesterday’s post was well received, so I might as well post a few progress pictures from today’s workout session.

Currently focusing on Kettlebell work to keep driving the gains while hopefully avoiding additional injuries. Last year, I had a serious to moderate injury just about once per quarter while focusing on power lifting and pure strength, and I’m getting too old for that nonsense.

I could stand to cut the body fat down a bit more, but I’d say it’s not bad for 53.

Chin-ups video in the comments, since you can’t post vids in the OP.

I could have knocked out several more if I had attempted these before my usual workout session rather than after.

Jeans allowed.

Alright gang, what do you think?

Met the new students and their parents tonight, before classes start next week.

Sized up to a Large polo and swapped to the Straight fit chinos.

Yes, yes, I am already tracking on One Battle after Another, but I still haven’t made time to watch it yet.

Alright gang, what do you think?

Sized up to a Large polo and swapped to the Straight fit chinos.

Yes, yes, I am already tracking on One Battle after Another, but I still haven’t made time to watch it yet.

Alright gang, what do you think?

Sized up to a Large polo and swapped to the Straight fit chinos.

Yes, yes, I am already tracking on One Battle after Another, but I still haven’t made time to watch it yet.

First post in the sub.

Students return next week.

The 1st pic has everything I need to care for black and brown leathers, and the 2nd pic shows results on a pair of dark brown Allen Edmonds shell cordovan shoes.

My process:

1. I use the Saddle Soap only when the shoes are in bad shape and I need to start over from scratch.
2. If I had to use the Saddle Soap, then I would treat the shoes with the Renovateur to condition the leather. I'll also use this if the leather looks like it's drying out. I like to buff the shoes with a Horsehair Brush afterward to ensure the Conditioner is distributed evenly across the leather.
3. Today, I did something new for me, which was to saturate the shoes with Beeswax (not pictured) using my Heat Gun (also not pictured). Honestly, I’m not sure if it made a big difference, but I figure it was worth the experiment. I got the idea from a couple different folks on YouTube, so I gave it a shot. The Heat Gun will melt the resin in the Renovating Cream, so make sure you do this step before the next step, if your shoes have damage to repair.
4. I use the Renovating Cream if I have leather with gashes, gouges, or similar damage. However, I haven’t mastered how to use this yet, so I still need to learn more to get the best results. For me, this cream is tricky to work with.
5. The next step would be to then move to the Cream Polish. It has a lot of oils in it, too, so it also acts as a conditioner. For this, I use my fingers to apply a thin layer all over the shoe, wait for it to dry, then buff it with a horsehair brush. For any shoes that don't really call for a "shine," this is the last step. Not all shoes need to have a mirror shine.
6. For dress shoes that I do want to put a real shine to, I'll then move on to the Wax Polish. Again, I'll use my fingers to apply the polish initially. Once I've got a layer of wax polish on the toe (and sometimes heel), I'll turn the shoe upside down and lightly pass the lighter back and forth under the shoe to melt the wax. Then I blow on it to cool it back down and let it harden. Then I take a clean cotton ball and dip it in cold water, and use that to buff the shoe, using small circles and focusing on a small section at a time. Then I do it all over again another couple times. After a few iterations of that, I stop using the lighter, and just build up a few layers without it.
7. As the final step, I'll add a few extra layers with the Mirror Gloss wax, where I will now alternate between applying a thin layer with a damp cotton ball, and using a second damp cotton ball with no wax on it to buff the shoe. You can use cotton cloths instead of balls, but make sure the cloth is 100% cotton and doesn’t have any polyester blended in it.

I decided to kill a little time today putting a mirror shine on this pair of low-quarters that I have had for decades. I spent more time on them than I should have, but happy with the results. Only now I don’t want to wear them and screw it up.

The new chinos I needed (based on the discussion in a recent post) have arrived. Pictured are the J. Crew Broken-in Straight Fit in charcoal ash and in Catskill green.

Just out of the package, so tags are still on, and they haven’t been washed or ironed yet, obviously.

I can’t do full squats in them comfortably, but I think I like them. They’ll be the first pants without some sort of taper that I’ve had in ages.

I went up a size to accommodate the quads. What do you kind folks think about how these fit?

The lighting isn’t great, but it was the best I could manage after getting home so late.

A simple go-to fit for a cooler/rainy summer day.

First post in this sub, so hopefully I do it right.

1. So, the lads over on mensfashionadvice said the structured navy wool blazer with brass buttons that I’ve had for over a decade is no longer in style. What recommendations do you have for a modern replacement that isn’t a trend that’ll disappear in another year or two?

Honestly, I rarely ever wear this one, but had a reception to attend, so needed to elevate up a bit. I don’t want to be unprepared next time.

2. I also needed new chinos, so I’m trying out these “straight” cut ones. I’ve been getting either slim fit or athletic tapered fit for as long as I can remember. Other than the obvious hemming that they need, are there any other issues? Do these have the right silhouette, as the folks on MFA like to talk about?

Thank you in advance.

Any big issues? I feel like I need to find some better shoes, but I’m not a loafer guy. Wife didn’t care for the white leather Stan Smiths that I used to have, so I got rid of them. Any suggestions?

Tourist today.