How to Be a True Gentleman This Back-to-Work Season: Style, Elegance, and Etiquette

How to be a true gentleman during the back-to-work season? The question may seem timeless, but it takes on real meaning as we leave the lightness of summer behind and return to business, meetings, and new projects. For the modern man, this season is an opportunity to reposition himself, assert his style, and cultivate his art of living. Being a gentleman in September goes beyond a perfect wardrobe: it’s a holistic attitude defined by courtesy, confidence, and the subtle refinement that leaves a lasting impression.

How to Be a True Gentleman During the Back-to-Work Season: The Art of Modern Courtesy

To start the season on the right note, focus on politeness and respect, even in small gestures. Open doors, listen attentively, remove your backpack in the subway — especially important if you’re wearing a suit, since backpacks can spoil your look (we explain why in this article) — or offer your seat: simple attentions that show genuine consideration for others.

Another key point for being a true gentleman during the back-to-work season: using technology with restraint. Inspired by the new rule in Québec province schools starting this September 2025, which requires students to set aside their phones, a gentleman knows how to put his device aside — whether in a meeting, at a restaurant, or during dinner with friends, and not just in a professional setting.

Finally, punctuality is a form of respect. If you have a tight schedule, avoid the “coffee stop” that could make you late. And if something unexpected happens, let your colleagues or hosts know immediately: a simple message can make all the difference.

How to Be a True Gentleman During the Back-to-Work Season: Personal Grooming and Presentation

Being a true gentleman also means paying attention to personal grooming and presentation. Everything starts at the barber or hairdresser: a neat update is essential to start the season with elegance. Since their schedules fill up quickly in the fall, make a habit of booking your appointments in advance, ideally through the holiday season, to avoid surprises during year-end receptions.

Also, take care of your skin. With colder weather returning, adapt your routine: a gentle cleanser, a richer moisturizer, and, if needed, a nourishing serum will maintain a rested and attractive complexion.

When it comes to fragrance, a gentleman always adjusts his scent to the season. Autumn calls for deeper, woody, spicy, or lightly smoky notes that remain elegantly subtle. Some refined choices include Manuel Mathieu’s new Eccco, Dior Homme Intense, Terre d’Hermès Eau Intense Vétiver, Tom Ford’s Oud Wood, Acqua di Parma Colonia Leather, or Bleu de Chanel L’Exclusif.

Ultimately, remember that a presentation goes beyond superficial aspects. Posture and attitude are just as important: stand tall, walk with confidence, and remain polished whether at the office or at home — a mark of respect for yourself and others and essential guidance for being a true gentleman during the back-to-work season.

How to Be a True Gentleman During the Back-to-Work Season: Culture and Etiquette

Being a gentleman isn’t just about appearance: it’s also about cultivating your mind. Watching television is not inherently bad; in fact, it can support local culture and Canadian actors. Personally, I follow Antigang and the latest season of Avant le Crash (both on Radio-Canada, the french version of CBC).

A true gentleman also exercises discernment. Avoid fake news and clickbait sites: focus on specialized publications, quality magazines, and newspapers, both local and international. Likewise, expand your culinary horizons: discover new restaurants, bars, microbreweries, or wine bars, always within your means.

Travel experiences are part of this art of living. Whether local or abroad, explore and embrace surprises. Niagara and Prince Edward County, Ontario, are must-visit destinations for Canadian wine enthusiasts. For film lovers, the back-to-work season coincides with the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), attracting cinephiles and creators worldwide.

Finally, being a gentleman during the back-to-work season means nurturing your mind. Stay informed, take an interest in art, gastronomy, and travel, read novels or essays to enrich your conversations. The Montreal Book Fair runs from November 7 to 23, 2025, but in the meantime, here are some recommended reads for the season:

• The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood
• Dear Life – Alice Munro
• The English Patient – Michael Ondaatje
• Life of Pi – Yann Martel

In virtual meetings and interactions, mastering the art of asking relevant questions and genuinely listening is also essential — qualities that distinguish a true gentleman in every encounter.

The Gentleman’s Professional Back-to-Work Season

Being successful in the gentleman’s professional back-to-work season starts with methodical organization. Keeping an agenda, whether paper or digital, is essential: it’s not about overloading yourself but planning priorities clearly. Take the time to use it as a pleasant ritual rather than a chore, and avoid scheduling too many tasks at once — you could quickly feel overwhelmed.

Returning to routine can make reconnecting with friends or professional contacts more challenging, especially with children’s schedules. A gentleman nurtures his network authentically, without opportunism. Take advantage of these opportunities to reconnect, without pressure: go out, change your surroundings, and enjoy these exchanges, especially if you mostly work from home.

Finally, a true gentleman knows how to lead, both at work and at home. It’s not about asserting authority or inspiring fear, but setting an example. Accept mistakes but don’t repeat them, and if someone mocks or tries to unsettle you, respond politely yet firmly. A gentleman’s strength lies as much in consistency as in his ability to remain elegant under all circumstances.

Art of Living and Refined Pleasures

Being a gentleman during the back-to-work season is not just about organizing your agenda or grooming: it’s also about cultivating your art of living and refined pleasures.

Selecting a venue to enjoy a night out is crucial. Opt for restaurants that prioritize seasonal ingredients, such as Mastard, a Michelin-starred establishment open Monday through Friday. Explore wine bars that offer high-quality vintages or join private clubs where you feel at ease and have engaging conversations, like Club St-Denis and their Jessica Harnois wine tasting events (3 dates this fall). Quality over quantity is key: every outing should be enjoyable and enriching.

Personal rituals also contribute to elegance and balance. Start the day with carefully chosen coffee—perhaps try a new blend—paired with reading or reflection. Include a short, regular workout to maintain energy and posture. Meditation or a moment of silence helps structure your thoughts and approach the day with calm and clarity.

Finally, moderation remains the key to the art of living. Drink with distinction, savour meals without excess, travel with curiosity and elegance: all gestures that signal natural sophistication. A gentleman enjoys the best without ever overindulging. Attention to detail—whether selecting a whisky, serving wine, or choosing a dish—reveals subtle and timeless elegance.

In short, being a true gentleman during the back-to-work season means embracing an attitude where every experience is savoured with refinement, discernment, and authenticity.

The Gentleman’s Wardrobe

Being a true gentleman during the back-to-work season also means paying special attention to your wardrobe. But remember: grooming, culture, and lifestyle come first. This foundation allows your style to truly stand out.

Seek timeless pieces: perfectly tailored shirts, well-fitted suits, polished quality shoes. Take inspiration from James Bond or characters from Succession, favouring colours that suit you and reflect your personality. Avoid flashy logos: a gentleman is not an advertisement. Invest in quality over quantity and avoid fast fashion — the eternal enemy of a refined wardrobe. Also, some boutique have great sales, such as Clusier and even Orlebar Brown (the latter is great for your next beach trip).

Adapt your style to the season: autumn calls for deeper colours, structured fabrics, and exceptional pieces. Formal events require a flawless tuxedo — a timeless classic. It’s also the season for refined boots and long coats, like trench coats or wool outerwear, which perfectly complement a polished and distinguished outfit.

In summary, your wardrobe is an extension of your elegance and attitude: each carefully chosen piece reflects the rigour, refinement, and taste of a modern, accomplished man.

Ultimately, knowing how to be a true gentleman during the back-to-work season is about combining elegance and substance, tradition and modernity. Invest in the details that matter — a well-fitted jacket, keeping your word, sincere listening — reflecting respect for yourself and others. The back-to-work season is the perfect opportunity to reaffirm these values and approach every project with confidence. Being a gentleman today means embodying timeless elegance that inspires, reassures, and attracts, season after season.