What is a Modern Gentleman?

At Sullivan Manor, we believe wherever you are, you’ve made it. Being a modern gentleman is no longer about a title or your position in society. It is a statement. It is a set of high standards including dress and deportment – not just how we look but how we act, how we speak to ourselves and others. These are the standards to which we hold ourselves. It is a standard we, as gentlemen, strive to achieve each day.

What is that standard? What does it mean to be a modern gentleman? Here’s what we believe.

We believe in facing the world with dignified poise – with the grace and class of times long past. It’s more than just a tie. It’s more than the right accessories and a bold splash of colour. It’s a way of life. It’s a way of presenting your best self in everything you do and, in turn, accepting the finest life has to offer back. This is our gentleman ethos.

We are a community of such gentlemen at Sullivan Manor. We present our best selves to the world with confidence and conviction. We believe in maintaining impeccable attention to detail, both inside and out. It is in these details that we create a life with the richest meaning. We don’t do bland and banal. We don’t do casual. After all, we aren’t here to casually walk through life. We’re here to embrace refinery, colour, elegance, and panache with bold self-assurance. We embrace this ethos to bring dignity and class to everything we do.

At Sullivan Manor, you will find resources for all this and more within a community of like-minded gentlemen – gentlemen with a sartorial spirit who believe being a modern gentleman includes the following standards:

1. "Manners maketh man" 

Politeness, civility, manners. These are key standards of the modern gentlemen, and in fact for all humanity. We believe this is a foundational standard upon which all other standards rest. Good manners and courtesy are essential for preserving all interactions and relationships. Saying please and thank you with a smile, allowing others to speak, never interrupting, apologizing when warranted. These are simple ways to live this standard each day.

2. Etiquette, etiquette, etiquette 

While manners make a (gentle)man, etiquette is a display of your personality. It is your personal code of conduct and behaviour. It goes beyond saying please and thank you. It governs your daily interactions and builds relationships of trust and respect. Think of manners as a short-term interaction. Etiquette is a long-term investment.

3. Dress with impeccable attention to detail 

Since you’re on our menswear website, this should go without saying! How you dress is a critical facet of the modern gentleman. But as we say, it isn’t about a tie. It isn’t about an outfit. It is about paying attention to detail in all things. Small details make up the whole of a rich and meaningful life. Paying attention to the small details of how you dress and put together your gentleman style will bring your attention to all the details of life around. Remember a coworker’s coffee order or beloved pet’s name, congratulate a friend on their anniversary (because you remembered it), compliment a change of hairstyle of the barista at your local coffee shop. Details enrich your life.

4. Engage in civil dialogue and dignified debate 

In an age of decidedly uncivil dialogue and debate, a gentleman strives to treat everyone with respect and dignity in all interactions. Disagreement is not a bad thing! The core of discussion is to share and debate contrasting viewpoints. Disagree with someone politely and with compassion. Acknowledge their unique opinion and thank them for their time engaging with you.

5. Speak kindly to yourself 

Manners, etiquette, civil debate – these are all an outward facing dialogue or interaction with others. We believe gentlemen must also speak kindly to themselves. Compliment yourself, be proud of your accomplishments, forgive yourself for your mistakes, treat yourself with the grace and dignity you treat others.