About

Gentleman Coded is a guide to living well and behaving well. It covers the finest things a man can own, from tailoring and watches to cars, spirits and the places worth travelling for, and the manners that should go with them.

What we believe

Taste is not the same as expense. The best things are chosen with care, bought once and kept for years. And no amount of good clothing makes up for treating people badly. Respect for the waiter, the host, the stranger and the partner is as much a part of being a gentleman as a well-cut jacket.

So we publish fewer, better pieces. Each guide aims to be the best answer to its question, and we update it rather than replace it. You will not find filler lists, celebrity gossip or hype here.

The Code

At the heart of the site is The Code: a numbered set of short rules of dress, conduct and taste, each with its own page explaining the rule, the reasoning and how to do it well. Every guide links to the rules it relies on, and every rule links to the guides that put it into practice.

What we cover

• Attire: tailoring, shoes, watches, grooming and scent.
• Machines: phones, audio, home technology, cars and travel kit.
• The Cellar: whisky, cognac, wine and cocktails.
• Conduct: etiquette, hosting, gifts, letters, work and money.
• Escapes: hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs and city guides.

Who writes it

Our articles appear under the name Rupert Ashcombe, which is a pen name: the house byline of Gentleman Coded rather than one person’s biography, in the old tradition of British magazines. The site is independent: no brand owns it, and no brand can pay to appear in it. You can read exactly how we choose and check what we recommend in How we review.

Questions, corrections and ideas are always welcome. Get in touch.