classic men's style books

[6StringShooter]

Which book would you folks suggest for classic men's style? Is there one comprehensive one, or should a gentleman have a variety? I have a few, but I'm always looking for new ones!

 

[Orgetorix]

Which book would you folks suggest for classic men's style? Is there one comprehensive one, or should a gentleman have a variety? I have a few, but I'm always looking for new ones!

I'd say a variety will serve you best. I own a few that are excellent:

The Suit: A Machiavellian Approach to Men's Style, by Nicholas Antongiavanni (aka Manton here)

Dressing the Man: Mastering the Art of Permanent Fashion, by Alan Flusser

Gentleman: A Timeless Fashion, by Bernhard Roetzel

Fred Astaire Style, by G. Bruce Boyer

I'd also like to acquire Boyer's other books and Flusser's first, Clothes and the Man.

 

[6StringShooter]

Gentleman: A Timeless Fashion, by Bernhard Roetzel

Is that different from the Gentleman's Guide To Grooming and Style book (by the same author)? On Amazon they almost seem like the same book (both cover images under the same heading).

 

[Orgetorix]

Is that different from the Gentleman's Guide To Grooming and Style book (by the same author)? On Amazon they almost seem like the same book (both cover images under the same heading).

I think they're the same book.

 

[AlanC]

In addition to Orgetorix's fine list, consider picking up the recent Cary Grant style biography by Richard Torregrossa. I'd begin with Roetzel and Flusser, though. Lots of great pictures.

 

[6StringShooter]

I also have this one

http://www.amazon.com/Indispensable...0966184718/ref=pd_sim_b_2/002-6967547-1335268

although the illustrations could be a little better...and this one

http://www.josbank.com/IWCatProduct...d=1&Section_Id=7510&pcount=&Product_Id=215115

Both are good for their respective purposes.

 

[Renee]

Dressing the Man: Mastering the Art of Permanent Fashion, by Alan Flusser

I just received this book in the mail last week, and it's fabulous! Chock full of information and pictures. I wish there was something comparable for women ...

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Flusser is good for learning about colour combinations and matching clothing to your complexion. Also the pictures are great in his books.

Other than that i'd throw Alan Flusser's book on the fire. Truly terrible advice and "knowledge" put forth as authoritative when in fact nothing but repetition of the kind of garbage advice we hear too often. Short men shouldn't wear DB jackets. What tosh.

Farid Chenoune's book is far superior, though it focusses on French menswear. It is mainly factual with none of the idiotic "rules" that Flusser attempts to propagate. This book is however, very hard to find, and when you do, it'll be damned expensive.

bk

 

[6StringShooter]

yes...the "indispensable guide" book has a bunch of stupid rules too about what looks good on one's build. It's not very prominent or emphasized, but it's sprinkled throughout...

 

[Senator Jack]

Other than that i'd throw Alan Flusser's book on the fire. Truly terrible advice and "knowledge" put forth as authoritative when in fact nothing but repetition of the kind of garbage advice we hear too often. Short men shouldn't wear DB jackets. What tosh.

Sic 'em, BK. :eusa_clap I'll accept opinions, of course, but it's this current repetition of those foundless rules around here that is starting to irk me. The passing of bad information is best left to writers with little interest in actual research; it has no place at the FL.

Regards,

Senator Jack

 

[Will]

Truly terrible advice and "knowledge" put forth as authoritative when in fact nothing but repetition of the kind of garbage advice we hear too often. Short men shouldn't wear DB jackets. What tosh.

Go back and read the book. Flusser actually says that short men can wear DBs very effectively. He's the most knowledgeable writer on classic men's clothing of his generation.

If you were to criticise his rather ponderous writing style, I could agree with you.

 

[Lionheart]

Which book would you folks suggest for classic men's style? Is there one comprehensive one, or should a gentleman have a variety? I have a few, but I'm always looking for new ones!

I can make a few suggestions:

"Elegance" by G. Bruce Boyer - I picked this up a few years ago. Practical, user friendly and pretty fun. I think Boyer's attitude about fashion is really about "making it work for you", and he does it without judgement. Great advice.

"A History of Men's Fashion" bu Ferid Chenoune. I found this one when it was first printed and it is by far the best book on men's fashion I have ever seen. Exhaustive research, great pictures and a wonderful find.

 

[Brian Sheridan]

I'd say a variety will serve you best. I own a few that are excellent:

The Suit: A Machiavellian Approach to Men's Style, by Nicholas Antongiavanni (aka Manton here)

Dressing the Man: Mastering the Art of Permanent Fashion, by Alan Flusser

Gentleman: A Timeless Fashion, by Bernhard Roetzel

Fred Astaire Style, by G. Bruce Boyer

I'd also like to acquire Boyer's other books and Flusser's first, Clothes and the Man.

I totally agree. I have read all of these books and think they are the best. Add one to the list though: Cary Grant: A Celebration of Style.


BRS

 

[herringbonekid]

Farid Chenoune's book is far superior, though it focusses on French menswear. It is mainly factual with none of the idiotic "rules" that Flusser attempts to propagate. This book is however, very hard to find, and when you do, it'll be damned expensive.bk

that's the one i didn't buy for £12 from a local shop, then went back to get it a week later when i had come to my senses and it had gone. probably the most idiotic thing i've ever done in my life.



(would anyone like to post a scan of the photo of a line of young men in heavy overcoats standing along some steps, circa early 40s ?)

 

[AlanC]

"Elegance" by G. Bruce Boyer - I picked this up a few years ago. Practical, user friendly and pretty fun. I think Boyer's attitude about fashion is really about "making it work for you", and he does it without judgement. Great advice.

One of my favorite books, and Boyer is without question my favorite men's clothing writer. I wish he would do something akin to the Flusser book, but perhaps he figures it's been done. The knock on Elegance is that it is a bit dated and slightly repetitive as it is a collection of essays he published over some years.

Go to the web site of Cigar Aficionado and look up Boyer's old articles there. They're great and it's free!

 

[Baron Kurtz]

(would anyone like to post a scan of the photo of a line of young men in heavy overcoats standing along some steps, circa early 40s ?)

You rang?

bk

 

[herringbonekid]

Thanks BK !

i see my own winter look in several of those guys (it helps that they have quite big hair).

what was the exact date of the photo ?

 

[Baron Kurtz]

The caption says February, 1944.

bk

 

[AlanC]

As for style 'rules', most men I see day-to-day could use a stronger dose of rules and a lot less 'personal style'.

 

[herringbonekid]

The caption says February, 1944.bk

with the hair-height it looks later.

i wonder who they all were ? students ? musicians ?