How to be a stylish off-duty gentleman

A gentleman’s wardrobe should be held up by certain pillars: perfectly cut—preferably bespoke—suiting in classic shades, pinstripes and checks; fine cotton shirting; silk ties and polished shoes; a wool coat for inclement days.

But increasingly, as casual attire creeps in even to work days, how does he showcase his sartorial status without appearing like an albacore out of water?

WATCH THIS SPACE

A classic timepiece is the ultimate investment piece for any gentleman. Whether you prefer the feel of a leather strap or the weight of articulated steel around your wrist, choose a design that speaks to timeless elegance and masculinity.

Houses such as Longines, Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Cartier and more will keep you on time and always in style. For a piece that is James Bond-approved—may we suggest an Omega Seamaster to add some depth to your style?

A SHADED VIEW

Take the edge off the day’s glare with some chic sunglasses. Look for styles that hark back to the gentlemen of the Golden Age of Hollywood, such as classic aviators, Wayfarers or those with a keyhole bridge/ Keep the frames in neutral hues such as tortoiseshell, black, tan or metal finishes. The future’s bright—and you’ll be cool.

POCKET THIS

The simplest way to add a fanciful flourish to any look is with a pocket square tucked into your blazer pocket. There are many ways to style them, from a peeking line of fabric to an origami-folded extravaganza.

But should you find yourself in need of a quick fix, even a small puff of silk or a wildly stuffed kerchief will offer a dash of flair.

This is an edited version of the story which appears in the Autumn issue of Kanebridge Quarterly which you can purchase at a newsagent or here.

Pure Amazon, an A&K Sanctuary, has officially launched its voyages into the 21,000-square-kilometre Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve.

Designed for just 22 guests, the new vessel positions itself at the high end of wilderness travel, offering quiet, immersive, and attentive experiences with a one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio. The focus is on proximity to wildlife and landscape, without the crowds that have made parts of the Amazon feel like tourism has arrived before the welcome mat.

Where Architecture Meets the River

The design direction comes from Milan-based architect Adriana Granato, who has reimagined the boat’s interiors as part gallery, part observatory. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame rainforest scenes that shift hour to hour, and every space holds commissioned artworks by Peruvian artists.

The dining room’s centrepiece, Manto de Escamas de Paiche by Silvana Pestana, uses bronze and clay formations that mirror the scale patterns of the Amazon’s giant fish. Pestana’s works throughout the vessel reference environmental fragility, especially the scars left by illegal gold mining.

In each suite, hand-painted kené textiles by Shipibo-Konibo master artist Deysi Ramírez depict sacred geometry in natural dyes. Cushions by the BENEAI Collective feature 20 unique embroidered compositions, supporting Indigenous women artists and keeping traditional techniques alive in a meaningful, non-performative way.

Wildlife Without the Tame Script

Days on board are structured around early and late river expeditions led by naturalist guides. Guests may encounter pink river dolphins cutting through morning mist, three-toed sloths moving like they’re part of the slow cinema movement, and black caimans appearing at night like something from your childhood nightmares.

The prehistoric hoatzin appears along riverbanks, giant river otters hunt in packs, and scarlet macaws behave like the sky belongs to them. The arapaima — the same fish inspiring Pestana’s artwork — occasionally surfaces like an apparition.

A Regional Culinary Lens

The culinary program is led by a team from Iquitos with deep knowledge of Amazonian produce.

Nightly five-course tasting menus lean into local ingredients rather than performing them. Expect dishes like caramelised plantain with river prawns, hearts of palm with passionfruit, and Peruvian chocolate paired with fruits that would be unpronounceable if you encountered them in a supermarket aisle.

A pisco-led bar menu incorporates regional botanicals, including coca leaf and dragon’s blood resin.

A Model of Conservation-First Tourism

Pure Amazon’s conservation approach goes beyond the familiar “offset and walk away” playbook. Through A&K Philanthropy, the vessel’s operations support Indigenous community-led economic initiatives, including sustainable fibre harvesting and honey production in partnership with Amanatari.

Guests also visit FORMABIAP, a bilingual teacher training program supporting cultural and language preservation across several Indigenous communities. Notably, the program enables young women to continue their education while remaining with their families — a rarity in remote regions.

Low-intensity lighting, heat pump technology, and automated systems reduce disturbance to the reserve’s nocturnal wildlife.

The Experience Itself

Itineraries span three, four, or seven nights. Mornings often begin with quiet exploration along mirrorlike tributaries; afternoons allow for spa treatments or time on the open-air deck. Evenings shift into long dinners and soft-lit river watching as the rainforest begins its nightly soundtrack.

Granato describes the vessel as “a mysterious presence on the water,” its light calibrated to resemble fire glow rather than a foreign object imposing itself on the dark.

It is, in other words, slow travel done with precision.

How to be a stylish off-duty gentleman

Some carefully chosen accessories can speak volumes in a gentleman’s casual attire.

Pure Amazon has begun journeys deep into Peru’s Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, combining contemporary design, Indigenous craftsmanship and intimate wildlife encounters in one of the richest ecosystems on Earth.