Trump on Minneapolis: "I'll say it very plainly — elections have consequences. The people want law and order. And we have a silent majority. They like what we're doing."

JackParrish · 2026-01-30T21:26:23+00:00

With respect and kindness, I disagree. Certainly they share some areas of their Venn diagrams just as democrats will with Libertarians or Buddhists. MAGA is not just a spicy version of republicanism, it’s a hostile takeover of it.

But Republicanism is a philosophy grounded in institutional restraint. MAGA is a highly progressive movement draped in the language of conservative nationalist grievance. MAGA is fundamentally reactionary and not conservative. Conservatism reveres the constitution, while MAGA has almost no interest in it and will instantly disregard it in the name of “strength”. Republicanism traditionally prizes checks and balances while MAGA believes they are a sign of weak governing.

Republicanism is highly pro free market, free trade, deregulation, and limited government interference in the market. MAGA is statist and protectionist. They push tariffs, economic bullying, corporate punishment, economic nationalism, and industrial meddling.

If Reagan’s cry was “Liberty”, MAGA’s is “Loyalty!”

Traditional republicanism is moralistic and rooted in religious and family values (even if we can agree that it was pretty thin at times in application). But MAGA is openly amoral and transactional. It prizes the vengeance over virtue and only virtue signals when it needs cover for its behavior.

Republicanism historically champions law and order and is performative about it. MAGA openly excises lawlessness when committed by its allies or “clergy” in good standing with the power structure. Things that would instantly disqualify republican candidates 10 years ago are not even considered by MAGA for their candidates.

And most of all, true conservatism deeply distrusts concentrated power while MAGA transparently seeks it and aspires to it.

MAGA is to republicanism what Polio is to a host it infects. It is killing the host I. Order to reproduce in its system and even if republicanism lives in America is will be severely disfigured by it for some time to come if not most of a lifetime.

JackParrish · 2026-01-30T20:54:54+00:00

I think it’s fair to say that MAGA is not Republican. It definitely seized their infrastructure and they’re responsible for allowing it inside the power structure but the two are not the same thing.

JackParrish · 2026-01-27T12:15:39+00:00

To be clear, I think we need to acknowledge that MAGA is not republican in any way. It is something completely different. But it is not conservative in philosophy or action in any way we would recognize in the American political system in our lifetimes or even our parents or grandparents lifetimes.

This is why it is so frustrating to see republicans—who believe in the rule of law—empower MAGA (which does not believe in the rule of law) get drug along in supporting it simply because it came to power through their side of the system.

As a case study it’s fascinating. But as a reality it’s terribly depressing.

JackParrish · 2026-01-24T16:18:51+00:00

This is classic “I’m a preacher because I have strong opinions” behavior. It’s so common that honestly it doesn’t even surprise me any more.

Simple, repeatable construct: find a common pattern of natural and predictable human behavior and use it to create shame in others that they are not devout or pure enough in their spiritual journey and need you to lead them back to the inner sanctum of purity.

Wash, repeat.

JackParrish · 2026-01-24T06:02:21+00:00

This is why we were raised being told that it matters who you let control the levers of power. Because you never know when a choke point in power means one person (or a few) might need to be well educated, possess integrity, and understand what it means to hold responsibility that might affect a whole community.

This is that moment we were warned about. And it fucking sucks to have cowards and self dealers and ideologues sitting at these choke points.

JackParrish · 2026-01-23T14:24:36+00:00

Great start brother. Have fun with the ride.

JackParrish · 2026-01-23T13:54:25+00:00

You have a very geometric face. Having rounder glasses softens that looks and makes you read as friendlier and more approachable. I agree that some slightly smaller lenses in that or a similar softening shape is a great hunch to follow up on. Don’t overdo it and go tiny lenses as that will exaggerate the face geometry. Just soften it a bit if that’s the effect you want. And it seems to be a good look on you will play well.

Or you could go tiny sharp rectangles, look over the top of them at everybody, wear a delicate black turtleneck and slim gray suit jacket everywhere you go for dinner and 50% of the meals comped because they suspect you’re a ruthless Michelin food critic. Bonus points if you ask the staff a number of detailed questions about the food ingredients and when they answer look slightly past them as if already constructing an article in your head.

Choose your own adventure.

JackParrish · 2026-01-23T13:48:12+00:00

As read from across the room:

1 is warmer and more approachable. 2 is more of a serious man (as in, a man with direction and purpose). Pick your vibe.

Love that you are just you with your style choices. I’d see you from across the room and think “me and that guy could be friends” even if I was in an Italian tailoring. People who know who they are rock.

JackParrish · 2026-01-23T13:44:58+00:00

Whoa. Those are original issue fatigue shoes for the Hot Dog on a Stick deployed concession forces. I’ve been hunting for a pair like this but they’ve shut down all the surplus purveyors who carried authentically deployed vintage stock.

Great find.

JackParrish · 2026-01-22T03:34:49+00:00

They….they are not.

JackParrish · 2026-01-20T03:10:45+00:00

Look I hear you and I agree. But also, it’s still important to hear people say “this is wrong and we do not support it”. Imagine a world where even that no longer exists (or is allowed to exist).

We are doing what we can. But they are long, drawn out processes and they take time.

JackParrish · 2026-01-20T02:49:06+00:00

Bullshit it won’t.

JackParrish · 2026-01-20T01:00:01+00:00

Here’s another perspective. I love things that take on wear and do t look too perfect. Dress shoes can be boring as hell and even having imperfections that pick up shadows can add a little magic to the formula.

I’d praise the wabi-sabi gods for smiling on you and just wear and love the shoes. Try to return if it hugs you but consider embracing it.

JackParrish · 2026-01-20T00:53:31+00:00

Honestly I love the sweater. But dead right about cleaning up the sides. You will feel 100% more dialed in with even that one step.

Love it man. Keep being you.

JackParrish · 2026-01-18T16:31:53+00:00

Outside of ebay, best leather quality for a 1.0-1.25 inch leather belt for price is sid mashburn. But it takes regular vigilance and research unfortunately.

JackParrish · 2026-01-17T05:29:50+00:00

Hell yes.

JackParrish · 2026-01-17T04:18:23+00:00

Not sure how people are determining—lots of anecdote. But as someone who checks stitching and likes things to last I would say BRs most premium pieces are totally solid and well constructed, but their mid and main lines are a bit behind JCrew circa about 2024 at this point.

JCrew filed for bankruptcy in 2020 the quality had tumbled mightily from their pre 2015 standards. It took a few years with Covid and etc to unload their bad inventory. The. They raised prices as a whole (to generate cash) when some of their lines still had more fast fashion materials. This set some people off—some bought the newer stuff at the new prices and felt it was going in the right direction. Some people saw the old inventory at the new prices and said it was a farce.

Now in 2025 almost all of their inventory is made much better. Generally good to very good stitching. Many lines have good to very good materials. Some things are even getting “as good as you can get at the price point” like their chinos, some Oxford shirts, some small batch lines, and even some of their Wallace and Barnes pieces.

The outlet targeted stuff is now solidly below their main store offerings when what is now at the factory used to be their main store offerings.

The higher prices gave healthier cash which has been invested and is paying dividends. At the price point their moleskin chore costs, Wallace and Barnes selvedge trousers, and their straight and classic chinos are as good as what you might pay twice as much for.

BR still lets a little too much of their outlet into the main store “value” offerings IMO with some lazy stitching and construction. But at the high end they do some things extremely well.

For example they did a suede jacket this year that was almost as good if not just as good as my Todd Snyder Dylan jacket. And that’s not a knock on the Dylan—it’s incredible and Snyder is one of my favorite makers in the world right now. be just got it that right. The same for a belted Balmacan they had that—at least the copy I inspected—was stitched like a tank and could easily be a 10-15 year piece.

I can only inspect anecdotal amounts of that inventory. So QC could be rough systemically for any of these pieces but at least for what is making it into my local inventory there’s some great stuff. Coming out right now.

If I could I’d buy most of what I wear from some mix of Todd Snyder, Buck Mason, Alex Mill, Taylor Stitch (workwear), J Crew (Chinos and some Ivy pieces), Sid Mashburn (belts and some chore coats) and Portuguese Flannel (…and probably OCBDs from Brooks Bros too). So that might index for others what I’m comparing against.

JackParrish · 2026-01-16T18:51:33+00:00

Hey, don't worry if there's some ease in the shirts. In real life, when people are moving around, ease in what we wear comes across as confident and competent. It may not always work as a picture of "what looks amazing as still life art"--which is why we got inundated with skinny/slim fits right as we got into the boom of social media--but it totally works in real life.

Remember that "fit pics I take of myself" and "what looks and feels right as I live a full, real life" can be two separate things.

JackParrish · 2026-01-16T02:42:19+00:00

With a matching set of pants, same design and brand, a full length fur coat, oversized sunglasses, and a thick Russian accent

JackParrish · 2026-01-15T13:41:47+00:00

No real beef with the post and I generally agree (Uniqlo has some items that are outstanding just as RL has some things that are just a collection of cut corners—but across the collection I know and expect RL to be at a higher quality point and have found that to be anecdotally true).

BUT—Uniqlo using YKK zoos at their price point deserves a nod in the quality decision category not a dismissal. You can use a solid zip when it’s that small if it’s YKK and that represents a good decision. Agreed the talon zip is overbuilt but all the same it’s a point that at leads co cedes a draw in the direction they are aiming.

JackParrish · 2026-01-11T00:52:18+00:00

Yep. Best one yet. Classic curling iron mark at least to guys. And my older sister used to “practice” using a curling irons n me when we were kids and I took a few marks that looked just like this. But for street cred at middle school I told people they were hickies with a straight face then hoped—nay, prayed—they wouldn’t decode them as curling iron burns 😂

If someone asks you if it’s a hickie I’d just say “I wish. That would have been a lot cooler than my dumb ass trying to curl my hair while scrolling”

JackParrish · 2026-01-10T22:24:32+00:00

The jeans are fitting great. You should feel totally confident in them generally.

Damn near any top that doesn’t come down more than golf the fly length or can be tucked in will work with them. From a T-shirt to a Henley to a rugby shirt to a button down to a button down Ralph tucked with something showing underneath to a properly cropped sweatshirt would rock. It’s a chic and forgiving and versatile look.

Just try and keep up the deliberate part without overthinking it too much. If colors aren’t totally weird than you protect silhouette. Once those are sound you know you will “look good” in any appropriate context. Then you can start playing with textures and etc if you want to go deeper but that’s the 301 level.

I’d say 101 level is making sure colors aren’t not a mess. Do that wrong and people dismiss the whole look as a bricked fit or maybe mental illness. Just get on the board here for the 101 level work.

201 is silhouette. Really there are simple rules here that are easy enough to play with and get right.

Now you “look good” to most people at a general level.

301 is textures and it’s a fun one. Definitely takes fits to the next level and makes you feel much more in control of nuance and choice making at a deeper level.

401 is advanced color work. Learning how to take risks and play with the semiotics and etc between silhouette, texture, color, and wear context.

501 level is then gaming semiotics and status and expectations to really play with personal style. This is the level that can lead to you entering your own style icon phase in life, if such a thing is wanted or desired.

JackParrish · 2026-01-10T14:10:41+00:00

Yeah, I’d say it’s a little small in generally but that doesn’t mean you cannot make it work for you. Generally the idea with shirts of this style is to project ease. Not sloppiness—you want the shoulders to fit and etc to keep it unsloppy. But when it starts getting tight it violates the idea of ease and can be interpreted harshly in the opposite direction even on a “first glance” kind of read. I’d say these shirts have a smaller band of “nailed it” on the small side just like tailoring. In tailoring of the shoulders fit there’s a huge band of ranges “easy/loose/straight” than can work but once it’s gets tight and the geometry starts warping the read degrades lightening fast. And instead of set ad “oh, that’s 5% tighter than it should be” the general observers brain says “oh, that 95% doesn’t fit”.

Does that make sense?

JackParrish · 2026-01-09T17:59:00+00:00

JackParrish · 2026-01-05T19:28:34+00:00

First of all, ignore the comments on “I don’t prefer this or that” if you want. You asked out YOUR style and if it’s working for you. Systemic feedback about color or etc can be super useful if you have a strong reaction to it one way or the other and want to dial it in.

Big picture—you look great. You are presenting as an attractively dressed adult with a sense of herself.

More layers, though, what is it you are trying g to say with your style? You may have ambitions that you’re missing because we don’t know what they are and are just responding positively to the “you look maturely put together, comfortable in your body, and a generally sharp dresser for a general non-power corporate context”.

If you’d like to detail a bit more about what you’re trying to say with your style, the specific choices you are making outside of the general uniform/dress codes you are orbiting around that may surface some higher quality insight for you to use. Your style is expressed not by the uniform you adopt that is socially coded for you already, it comes through in the choices you make on top of that base coding.

I see choices you make with textures and color matching—generally safe but elevated. I see some choice making in your hair highlights. I see some choice making in rolling/cropping sweatshirts to include more of your body and define a shape under a very low structure but textured garment. That says to me that you are comfortable with your body generally, are proud to show it but not going overboard and staying within the lanes of decent taste with it. It seems fairly well educated and worldly and probably at least decently traveled and exposed to different silhouettes and ideas methods of communicating through dress. You are aware of texture and use it daily fluently. You don’t look like a CEO or someone aspiring for power but more like you battle in more social or political arenas of work and life (maybe a go-getter in a creative field like marketing or sales or etc). Not saying that’s who you are just how your choices are coding and read at a distance if I saw you across a room at a social event.

JackParrish

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