The members’ club has come a long way from the secretive, stuffy, male-dominated dominion to the multifaceted status-symbol hangouts of today. And defining what makes a successful one has always leant much heavier on art than it does science. A loose recipe might suggest something like “a place to meet/work/eat/drink/relax” mixed with “the welcoming know-your-name service of your local bar” muddled over “interiors that make you want to redecorate your house” and served with “a well-curated crowd of people you just have to meet”.

Self-belief is like a shadow in the midday sun. Just as we think we’ve caught it, it can recede surprisingly quickly. Our self-confidence is having to deflect blows on an hourly basis. “With social media, for example, it’s impossible to escape negative comparisons,” says Dr Gary Wood, author of Confidence Karma: How To Become Confident And Help Others Feel Great Too. “It’s an orgy of not keeping up with the Joneses, but of wilfully crushing the Joneses underfoot at every given opportunity.” Below is a road map to improve your self-confidence, designed by the coaches, trainers and psychologists who boost self-esteem for a living.

From edge-of-seat action films and the latest releases from legendary directors, to much-anticipated sequel seasons coming to the small screen, discover MR PORTER’s picks of the film and TV releases not to miss this month.

’Tis the season of summer soirées, and that often means one thing: lots of alcohol. But in 2025, many are getting sober-curious, if not embracing sobriety entirely. In fact, nearly half of Americans said they were planning to drink less this year. If you’re feeling unsure about facing the season sober, I can reveal the secret scientific formula for attending a big do – whether it be a wedding, work party, birthday bash – and having a jolly nice time without so much as sniffing a glass of wine. “Tom, it can’t be done,” you say. Oh, but it can. And here’s how.

The members’ club has come a long way from the secretive, stuffy, male-dominated dominion to the multifaceted status-symbol hangouts of today. And defining what makes a successful one has always leant much heavier on art than it does science. A loose recipe might suggest something like “a place to meet/work/eat/drink/relax” mixed with “the welcoming know-your-name service of your local bar” muddled over “interiors that make you want to redecorate your house” and served with “a well-curated crowd of people you just have to meet”.

Self-belief is like a shadow in the midday sun. Just as we think we’ve caught it, it can recede surprisingly quickly. Our self-confidence is having to deflect blows on an hourly basis. “With social media, for example, it’s impossible to escape negative comparisons,” says Dr Gary Wood, author of Confidence Karma: How To Become Confident And Help Others Feel Great Too. “It’s an orgy of not keeping up with the Joneses, but of wilfully crushing the Joneses underfoot at every given opportunity.” Below is a road map to improve your self-confidence, designed by the coaches, trainers and psychologists who boost self-esteem for a living.