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The Modern Gentleman’s Handbook: Gentlemen Are Not Born, They Are Made
An informative, tongue-in-cheek guide for men on modern style and social etiquette from a true authority in fashion.
The ultimate guide to style and social success for the modern gentleman. Ever wondered how to decode the infamous smart casual dress code? How many shirts a man really needs? How to master the art of small talk? Or even which cocktail recipes every man simply must have in his repertoire of bar skills?
The Modern Gentleman's Handbook will have all the answers the modern man requires to put his best foot forward for all occasions, from the office to weddings and sporting events and even long weekends away. This essential collection of do's and don'ts, from the fundamentals to the obscure and eccentric, will ready any man to conquer all of life's daily challenges and opportunities with finesse and good spirit.
Effortlessly elevate your style and reputation with this vital handbook.
The ultimate guide to style and social success for the modern gentleman. Ever wondered how to decode the infamous smart casual dress code? How many shirts a man really needs? How to master the art of small talk? Or even which cocktail recipes every man simply must have in his repertoire of bar skills?
The Modern Gentleman's Handbook will have all the answers the modern man requires to put his best foot forward for all occasions, from the office to weddings and sporting events and even long weekends away. This essential collection of do's and don'ts, from the fundamentals to the obscure and eccentric, will ready any man to conquer all of life's daily challenges and opportunities with finesse and good spirit.
Effortlessly elevate your style and reputation with this vital handbook.
- GenresNonfictionLifestyle
224 pages, Hardcover
Published May 1, 2022
36 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 20, 2022
A lot of stuff that will probably never be relevant to me - details about how to act in upper class British society. But a fun read nevertheless.
January 9, 2022
Except the last chapter, which was filled to the brim with poshness, who in their right minds would play cricket?, this book is a must for any man of 21st century. We, men, and this is going to sound a bit daring, have become quite inelegant and this handbook tries to prove that being a gentleman doesn't have to mean being posh. It's a thing anyone can achieve. I guess a very important and very different and unexpected book of 2022 as of yet. I did like it and I'm certainly going to look for gentleman's behaviour guide in this book in the future.
January 11, 2025
(originally published here: https://thedapperdresser.com/the-mode... )
The Modern Gentleman’s Handbook: Gentlemen Are Not Born, They Are Made by Charles Tyrwhitt book review.
Charles Tyrwhitt’s The Modern Gentleman’s Handbook: Gentlemen Are Not Born, They Are Made aims to serve as a roadmap for men seeking to refine their style, manners, and overall presence in the modern world. Blending timeless sartorial advice with practical guidance on etiquette and lifestyle, the book offers a comprehensive toolkit for those striving to embrace the ideals of a modern gentleman. In this review, I’ll explore how well the handbook delivers on its promise, examine its strengths and shortcomings, and consider its relevance to today’s gentlemanly pursuits.
A Walk Through the Handbook: Sections and Insights
Foreword – Sets the tone for the book, introducing the importance of style, etiquette, and the pursuit of gentlemanly refinement in today’s world.
Professional – Explores essential elements of professional attire, including shirts, suits, tailoring, and accessories, to ensure a polished look for the workplace. Containing: Ahead of the Game, The Shirt, The Suit, Tailoring, Ties, Pocket Squares, The Blazer, The Smart Trouser, Shoes, Coats.
Formalities – Covers formal dress codes and etiquette for key life events, such as weddings, funerals, and formal gatherings, with an emphasis on traditional British standards. Containing: An Ode to the Shirt, Formal Dress Codes, Births, Weddings, Deaths, Formal Events.
Grooming – Provides practical advice on maintaining a refined appearance, from shaving and skincare to haircare, fragrances, and the importance of a good night’s sleep. Containing: Keep Up the Routine, Shaving, Beards, Hair, Skincare, Smelling Good, Treatments, Sleep.
Informal – Delivers tips for balancing casual style with gentlemanly elegance, with guidance on jeans, T-shirts, polos, smart casual attire, and navigating informal social events. Containing: Balancing Act, Jeans, T-shirts and Polos, Jumpers, Casual Coats, Casual Shoes, Keeping Cool, Sunglasses, Smart Casual, Informal Events, Private Members’ Clubs.
Polished – Discusses cultivating confidence and charisma, with insights into appreciating fine food, wine, music, books, and accessories like watches to round out a gentleman’s persona. Containing: Confidence and Charisma, Drink, Wine, Foodie, Culture Vulture, Music, Watches, Books, Driving.
Travelling – Offers advice on elegant travel, from choosing the right luggage to proper airport etiquette, being a gracious house guest, and enjoying hotels or the countryside. Containing: Luggage, Airports and Flying, Perfect Protocols, The House Guest, Hotels, The Country.
Sport – Examines the role of sports in a gentleman’s life, from maintaining fitness and participating in sports to spectating and engaging in social aspects of sport gatherings. Containing: Fitness, Sporting Prowess, Spectating, Horseracing, Sporting Society.
Acknowledgements – A brief nod to those who contributed to the creation and inspiration of the book, adding a personal touch to its conclusion.
Strengths of the Handbook: What It Gets Right
At only 256 pages long, this book is a very quick read, so even if you don’t learn a great deal from it, you won’t have wasted a huge amount of time finding out if you will learn from it or not. Personally, I don’t think I did learn anything new, but that doesn’t mean somebody newer to the world of things sartorial and gentlemanly behaviour won’t get a lot from it.
All the standard advice you’d expect to find in a book like this is here, most of which I agree with, but some I do not (every man should own a navy blazer for example) and there was some additional stuff that actually genuinely shocked me (his stance on hoodies for example). There is easily more good than bad though.
A Gentleman’s Disagreements: Points of Contention
My biggest issue with the book is the sports section, liking or disliking sports does not make you a gentleman or not a gentleman, some people like sports, some people don’t anybody in either group may or may not be a gentleman. I see no reason at all to even mention sport in a book like this, let alone dedicate so much space to it.
Epigraphs and Charm: A Light-Hearted Touch
The book is also peppered with amusing epigraphs, like “Style is when they’re running you out of town and you make it look like you’re leading the parade. ~ William Battie”, “There is no iron in the iron you use to iron shirts. which is, ironically, both ironic and un-ironic. ~ Jeremy Irons” and “The only person who acts sensibly is my tailor. he takes my measure anew every time he sees me. everyone else goes by their old measurements. ~ George Bernard Shaw” which are always fun to stumble across.
Final Thoughts: A Gentlemanly Verdict
Overall, The Modern Gentleman’s Handbook is a charming and reasonably informative guide, particularly suited for those new to the world of gentlemanly refinement. While it may not really break new ground for seasoned aficionados, its wit and breadth make it an enjoyable read. Despite its occasional missteps, such as the overemphasis on sport, the book offers plenty of value to those looking to cultivate their style and character in today’s world.
The Modern Gentleman’s Handbook: Gentlemen Are Not Born, They Are Made by Charles Tyrwhitt book review.
Charles Tyrwhitt’s The Modern Gentleman’s Handbook: Gentlemen Are Not Born, They Are Made aims to serve as a roadmap for men seeking to refine their style, manners, and overall presence in the modern world. Blending timeless sartorial advice with practical guidance on etiquette and lifestyle, the book offers a comprehensive toolkit for those striving to embrace the ideals of a modern gentleman. In this review, I’ll explore how well the handbook delivers on its promise, examine its strengths and shortcomings, and consider its relevance to today’s gentlemanly pursuits.
A Walk Through the Handbook: Sections and Insights
Foreword – Sets the tone for the book, introducing the importance of style, etiquette, and the pursuit of gentlemanly refinement in today’s world.
Professional – Explores essential elements of professional attire, including shirts, suits, tailoring, and accessories, to ensure a polished look for the workplace. Containing: Ahead of the Game, The Shirt, The Suit, Tailoring, Ties, Pocket Squares, The Blazer, The Smart Trouser, Shoes, Coats.
Formalities – Covers formal dress codes and etiquette for key life events, such as weddings, funerals, and formal gatherings, with an emphasis on traditional British standards. Containing: An Ode to the Shirt, Formal Dress Codes, Births, Weddings, Deaths, Formal Events.
Grooming – Provides practical advice on maintaining a refined appearance, from shaving and skincare to haircare, fragrances, and the importance of a good night’s sleep. Containing: Keep Up the Routine, Shaving, Beards, Hair, Skincare, Smelling Good, Treatments, Sleep.
Informal – Delivers tips for balancing casual style with gentlemanly elegance, with guidance on jeans, T-shirts, polos, smart casual attire, and navigating informal social events. Containing: Balancing Act, Jeans, T-shirts and Polos, Jumpers, Casual Coats, Casual Shoes, Keeping Cool, Sunglasses, Smart Casual, Informal Events, Private Members’ Clubs.
Polished – Discusses cultivating confidence and charisma, with insights into appreciating fine food, wine, music, books, and accessories like watches to round out a gentleman’s persona. Containing: Confidence and Charisma, Drink, Wine, Foodie, Culture Vulture, Music, Watches, Books, Driving.
Travelling – Offers advice on elegant travel, from choosing the right luggage to proper airport etiquette, being a gracious house guest, and enjoying hotels or the countryside. Containing: Luggage, Airports and Flying, Perfect Protocols, The House Guest, Hotels, The Country.
Sport – Examines the role of sports in a gentleman’s life, from maintaining fitness and participating in sports to spectating and engaging in social aspects of sport gatherings. Containing: Fitness, Sporting Prowess, Spectating, Horseracing, Sporting Society.
Acknowledgements – A brief nod to those who contributed to the creation and inspiration of the book, adding a personal touch to its conclusion.
Strengths of the Handbook: What It Gets Right
At only 256 pages long, this book is a very quick read, so even if you don’t learn a great deal from it, you won’t have wasted a huge amount of time finding out if you will learn from it or not. Personally, I don’t think I did learn anything new, but that doesn’t mean somebody newer to the world of things sartorial and gentlemanly behaviour won’t get a lot from it.
All the standard advice you’d expect to find in a book like this is here, most of which I agree with, but some I do not (every man should own a navy blazer for example) and there was some additional stuff that actually genuinely shocked me (his stance on hoodies for example). There is easily more good than bad though.
A Gentleman’s Disagreements: Points of Contention
My biggest issue with the book is the sports section, liking or disliking sports does not make you a gentleman or not a gentleman, some people like sports, some people don’t anybody in either group may or may not be a gentleman. I see no reason at all to even mention sport in a book like this, let alone dedicate so much space to it.
Epigraphs and Charm: A Light-Hearted Touch
The book is also peppered with amusing epigraphs, like “Style is when they’re running you out of town and you make it look like you’re leading the parade. ~ William Battie”, “There is no iron in the iron you use to iron shirts. which is, ironically, both ironic and un-ironic. ~ Jeremy Irons” and “The only person who acts sensibly is my tailor. he takes my measure anew every time he sees me. everyone else goes by their old measurements. ~ George Bernard Shaw” which are always fun to stumble across.
Final Thoughts: A Gentlemanly Verdict
Overall, The Modern Gentleman’s Handbook is a charming and reasonably informative guide, particularly suited for those new to the world of gentlemanly refinement. While it may not really break new ground for seasoned aficionados, its wit and breadth make it an enjoyable read. Despite its occasional missteps, such as the overemphasis on sport, the book offers plenty of value to those looking to cultivate their style and character in today’s world.
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December 26, 2025There are a couple things in here I didn't know like Cummerbunds or know well like Shirt studs, and I've never been to a Garden Party. I have read a few magazine men's guides from Esquire, and then GQ used to have a better online series in the 00s before it became an advertising tool for puff pieces. This is as good and comprehensive a starter guide as one could need (with references to two of my favorite suit styles, the birdseye weave and the prince of wales pattern), but there are a lot of things that you'll learn differently if you're actually working and running around the city in a suit daily. Another difference: late night coffees were a characteristic of my early days in NYC and late night cocktails remain a staple. Drink up and stay hydrated.
January 16, 2023
More Entertainment Than Educational
I found this book to contain an odd mix of the most basic and high end, leaving little to be gained by the reader.
If you understand the basics of suits and etiquette you are unlikely to gain much unless you happen to receive a surprise invite to a state banquet.
I suppose in trying to cater to everyone the net has been cast too wide and in expecting a more educational book I have missed its charms.
That said is was an enjoyable read and would provide a suitable introduction to someone interested in the subject.
I found this book to contain an odd mix of the most basic and high end, leaving little to be gained by the reader.
If you understand the basics of suits and etiquette you are unlikely to gain much unless you happen to receive a surprise invite to a state banquet.
I suppose in trying to cater to everyone the net has been cast too wide and in expecting a more educational book I have missed its charms.
That said is was an enjoyable read and would provide a suitable introduction to someone interested in the subject.
August 13, 2025
2.5 stars honestly
In this book author has gone so wide with his subjects that you will learn a little bit of everything but honestly nothing.
If you are really young business professional trying to loook and act better this is an ok start but nothing more.
In this book author has gone so wide with his subjects that you will learn a little bit of everything but honestly nothing.
If you are really young business professional trying to loook and act better this is an ok start but nothing more.
December 10, 2025
i didn’t enjoy the jabs and cheap shots at Donald Trump as i think he’s awesome; so that cost a star, then there were some inexcusable inaccuracies regarding scotch. the content is nothing new, there are better etiquette books out there.
May 31, 2022
Even though it is a bit out of my style I've enjoyed all the information on clothing and social rules.
That said I found that some sections of the book were too specific or niche.
That said I found that some sections of the book were too specific or niche.
January 11, 2023
A book centered around the the unwritten rules of how to be a gentleman, but specifically in the British society. Provides valuable takeaways about etiquette, style, and grooming.
May 27, 2023
A book every man should read.
December 10, 2023
Informative
Well presented and detailed book, interesting to read and helps understand the eticete for less common situations you may find yourself
Well presented and detailed book, interesting to read and helps understand the eticete for less common situations you may find yourself
January 16, 2025
A nifty handbook. Learnt a lot about the British posh, and a lot of new clothing words.
December 7, 2025
Properly gentleman-ly.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews