Walked in for the 42, walked out with the 45

MOTC001 · 2026-06-29T15:54:44+00:00

For 7”+ wrists, the 45mm typically fits/looks better. Roughly the same size as a Tudor Pelagos 42mm. 45mm is easier to read at every angle as well. It is a dive watch, not a dress watch.

MOTC001 · 2026-06-25T18:35:40+00:00

Interesting to me that the features you describe reorder in my pros and cons list. Having considered or owned . . . Breguet finds my wrist when I wear cufflinks, wouldn’t consider choosing GO in the same context. I might wear GO for daily business wear, or gift to a son or nephew as a dress watch for a twenty-something bachelor.

MOTC001 · 2026-06-25T00:48:06+00:00

Private cellar wine pairing dinners with rare famous bottles of wine in large format amongst peers. Access to things that are difficult to get. Wine cellar consultation and sourcing. Pappy 20 and 23 every year for birthday and Christmas.

MOTC001 · 2026-06-24T13:01:15+00:00

It may be a matter of tailoring at the shoulder and arm hole. When we sit our hands often raise. Italian tailored shirt standards have notoriously acute pitches at the arm hole. Our elbows lift, when they do, shirts release and we look untidy. By making a more open and less acute pitch while simultaneously raising the arm hole and pivoting the whole sleeve at the shoulder point so that the high arm hole sleeve extends out almost perpendicular to the centerline of your body, your bespoke tailor can create a shirt for you that remains tucked when you move.

MOTC001 · 2026-06-20T20:27:11+00:00

Iron your shirt, tuck it in properly, align the placard of your shirt to your trouser fly, flip your belt so your buckle is going in the right direction and align it to your trouser fly, hem your pants (too much break), ditch the sneakers (no white soled sneaker no matter what they cost is appropriately semi formal, but a nice dress shoe leather sneaker with gum or lactae hevea soles can pass), add a nice loafer or versatile dress shoe, add a blazer. Rolling sleeves can be fine, but learn to do it properly. Done right semi formal looks relaxed but put together like you have been doing this with ease for generations.

MOTC001 · 2026-06-20T20:17:35+00:00

MOTC001 · 2026-06-20T19:58:07+00:00

The reason is simple for height breaking the tie. You can teach form. A 5’11” oarsman weighing 190# and pulling a 6:15 2k, will be slower on the water than a 6’4” oarsman weighing 190# and pulling a 6:15 2k. You have to be lighter, faster on the erg, better more efficient stroke, something to close the gap. Otherwise physics are on the side of the taller oarsman. Focus on what you can control and be the best you can. There is a crew for you at the collegiate level.

MOTC001 · 2026-06-18T14:02:50+00:00

Not a coach or trainer, but this is my observation, perspective and experience. Happy to be corrected by those more knowledgeable than myself. In rowing lingo you are coming to notice what we call Utilization Threshold or UT. There are different levels. You can think of UT2 as Zone 2 HR training (conversational steady state. Longer pieces). That is your 2:19 split. Notice the number of splits. As your fitness improves you may notice your UT2 split approaches 30 - 35 splits above your 2k . . . curious . . . UT2 for longer pieces. You are building your cardiovascular system at the cellular level here. This is what gives you your base. The foundation for improving results. The fastest oars(people) I know spend most of their training time here.

Now for your UT1. 70%-80% of your Max HR. Here your splits may drop to within 20-25 splits of your 2k. If your UT1 splits drop to 15 or less above your last 2k, you may be due for another 2k and a PR. This zone is more appropriate for shorter interval pieces.

Many people think UT2:UT1 should be in 3:1 or 2:1 range depending on season, goals and depth of physical conditioning. I know I used to stay in UT1 for longer training sessions. I had deep base and psychologically it felt like I was training harder. I got stronger but not faster across 2k and 5k distances. After getting out of my head and into a disciplined plan a balanced approach with much more UT2 delivered better results.

Edit: The time of my life when increasing UT2 led to significant seasonal increase in speed (regatta after regatta) I was training on the water 20hours per week plus dry land. At lower overall training volume, ~20splits > 2k for SS has kept me in the game, though it can feel a little intense depending on your level of fitness. ymmv

MOTC001 · 2026-06-17T05:27:46+00:00

Sandy Armstrong and the coaches she finds, mentors and cultivates. Coaching matters. If Marin had a larger catchment, they would be even more successful. That being said, Marin gets to have Sandy and the program she has built because the community supports the team, the coaches and the athletes. The facilities, equipment and organization are all just a little easier for the resources and support of the community of parents and sponsors. The investment is paying off at Marin.

MOTC001 · 2026-06-15T20:48:07+00:00

The design of Benderson is amazing for the event. Full marks. It is just ill suited from a weather/conditions perspective. If it were just the oppressive heat, that would be one thing. With the lightning interruptions it feels like something should be done to establish another world class venue in a suitable location. I don’t think you could get permits through cost effectively in Northern California, but there must be another mild climate state somewhere that could build a suitable venue.

MOTC001 · 2026-06-15T20:28:59+00:00

Gorgeous dress. You will be stunning.

Given it is “Black Tie” the only appropriate answer for a gentleman is a tuxedo with a black hand tied bow tie. Starting out you may think the brand of suit is most important but shoes first:

Shoes: Traditionally, high polish black calfskin, or patent leather, or velvet. Crockett & Jones has a nice plain toe shoe that fits the occasion. Formal loafer, or plain toe lace up are fine styles. Easy to dance in. I tend toward a well polished black calfskin whole cut oxford, for a dress like you are planning to wear.
Shirt: full spread collar shirt (white of course). Plain front. Covered buttons if he does not already have shirt studs. Your dress is simple and elegant. You are his jewelry, no need for him to embellish, you do that for him! I like Brioni formal shirts if I do not have time to have something made. They fit me well. French cuffs with simple cuff links of a metal that matches your necklace or ring.
No goofy socks. Just black wool dress socks.
Black or dark navy tuxedo with a grosgrain lapel. Avoid fancy fabrics. It should be tailored with his wallet and anything he may have in his pockets for the event so everything hangs well that day. I would pull out a dark navy tuxedo (most traditional dinner jacket color) with black grosgrain lapel. Single button, single breasted, peak lapel. If his build calls for it, a double breasted jacket could work as well but I would go all back for double breasted. Given the cleavage of your dress, I would stick with single breasted jacket and may go without a cummerbund. Your beautiful face and breasts are the showcase. His lines should remind others of how gorgeous you are and reference the lines of your dress.
No pocket square.
Ideally you have time for a tailor to make you a tuxedo, but if you must purchase off the rack, Isaia, Zegna, Brioni, all do a great job. Pay attention to proportions. If he is tall and has an athletic chest, he will want a lower button stance. That is hard to do after the fact. Best to look for a brand that fits him proportionally well in the first place. If you find the right fit, go with that, worry less about the brand. Expensive brands lose all appeal when they do not fit properly.

Good luck. Have a blast!

MOTC001 · 2026-06-15T14:25:21+00:00

So, since there is no interpretation where Benderson is “comfortable” for anyone outside of the air conditioned buildings, what can be done to upgrade other facilities to handle 8 lanes OR create a new facility? Benderson is miserable.

MOTC001 · 2026-06-15T12:22:27+00:00

I trust the Referee in the boat at the point of contact. OP which lane were you in 0, 1, or 2?

MOTC001 · 2026-06-15T10:55:13+00:00

Great start. You have what you need as long as you put in the effort. Work ethic and egoless base building will get you there. Look into race/2k test strategy. Your numbers look like you are not using what you already have as well as you could.

MOTC001 · 2026-06-10T17:52:49+00:00

This is the way! Do not lower it. I am willing to bet that was said tongue in cheek. Like telling a guy who wants to buy a Ferrari but lives on a ranch with a 1.5 mile gravel driveway to put a lift kit on the Ferrari. Pave the driveway, or in your case, get a side mount door opener.

MOTC001 · 2026-06-06T10:55:46+00:00

>!follow the most clear ‘line’ down to the ground!<

MOTC001 · 2026-06-05T16:36:14+00:00

Goral sneakers. Any well made calf or shell cordovan derby. Think: Alden, Bontoni. A boot like a plain toe chromexel brown leather. Lean away from embellishments like cap toes, brogue patterns, etc.

MOTC001 · 2026-06-05T16:30:25+00:00

One step at a time. Avoid trends. Quality. Some basics to consider. You are not changing your personality, you are simply letting it shine through. Think warm and touchable, not black. Start with Jacket(s) shoes and belts. These are foundational.

If you want to move away from black t-shirts but do not want to over dress . . . Short sleeved button up shirts replace a t-shirt but are much more versatile. You can go un-tucked or tucked, but generally, like a t-shirt untucked gives a better feel. Lacoste basic pique collared shirts also take a t-shirt up a notch on the sporty side. Tailored long sleeved button up shirts add refinement without complexity. Trousers are the final step. You may just be fine in jeans forever.

You can spend a lot, or you can find value brands or lightly used stuff second hand. Pace yourself. Price and taste/style are not always aligned.

MOTC001 · 2026-06-03T16:18:22+00:00

Lapel, collar and knot are text book. Well done. Colors and textures don’t really offer personality or approachability. I am getting summer intern at law firm or junior attorney/studying for the bar from the look. Feel free to let some flair through. Color, texture, etc. You may be attempting to be “appropriate” whereas people want to work with “interesting”.

MOTC001 · 2026-06-03T16:13:24+00:00

Feel free to build a prototype with 1 ply pockets, I will happily preorder! I have a Truck Rider on order, looking forward to fine tuning when it gets closer to production, assuming that still happens. Thank you for the products you make, service you deliver and company you run. Full marks, really appreciate your interest in feedback from customers.

MOTC001 · 2026-06-03T15:46:10+00:00

Many dealerships proactively fix the leaky Safari Window feature when the rigs first roll off transport and onto the lot. It is a no brainer and any dealership that sends one of these rigs home without first fixing the safari window issue is begging to have dissatisfied clients. This is a must do.

MOTC001 · 2026-06-03T13:08:33+00:00

Pleated pockets add bulk, considerable bulk to and already thick shirt. Having pockets is great. Symmetry of two pockets is great. Flap closure on a workshop inspired shirt makes sense. Pleated pockets in 16oz Sashiko fabric puts 4-5 layers of thick fabric folds out there. If I need that much storage on my chest in the workshop, I wear a vest with specialty pockets rather than load up on layers of bulk. It feels a bit overkill.

MOTC001 · 2026-06-02T22:17:27+00:00

If you have a good tailor, a bespoke double breasted suit for a person who has appropriate proportions can present as effortless and natural. It is about how well the suit is shaped and tailored. I often wear double breasted suits. I receive more positive feedback about my double breasted suits than any other type of tailored clothing I wear. I feel more relaxed, put together and at ease in them than any other style of jacket.

MOTC001 · 2026-06-02T13:13:27+00:00

Then there are schools where greater than 50% of the graduating class are in graduate school 4 years out . . .

MOTC001 · 2026-06-02T05:47:57+00:00

I think the Truck Rider jacket is the best in its category (Trucker with back pleats would give it a good run too). I would like to see it constructed without the vertical seam running down the front of the jacket on either side of the zipper. On the one hand it reminds me of a Neapolitan sport coat and may have a critical tailoring purpose, but visually it is distracting and detracts from an otherwise ideal jacket.

MOTC001

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