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Review by
Richard Sumrall
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"All it takes are a few simple outfits. And
there's one secret -- the simpler the better."
-- Cary Grant |
The new book "Esquire: The Handbook of Style" is described as "a man's
guide to looking good." According to editor-in-chief David Granger, "Yes,
it's a guide on how to get dressed and it's a primer on the elements of
style. ... The intention of this book is to give you a sense of not only the
how but the why."
The book covers the eight essential components that make up a man's style
in dressing: suits, shirts and sweaters, trousers, shoes, coats and
outerwear, accessories, personal care, and wardrobe.
Suit
The anatomy of a perfect suit is created with natural shoulders, notched
labels, dark colors, fitted waist and cuffed trousers. This helps you
develop a streamlined simplicity that can influence all of your wardrobe
choices. Equally important as the cuts of your suit cloth are the patterns
you wear. There are nine acceptable patterns for menswear; among the most
popular are houndstooth (a bold choice for special occasions), pinstripe
worsted (for any kind of business) and glen plaid (the classic office suit).
Always remember to consider your body type when buying a suit -- big and
tall, long and lean, short and stocky, or short and lean. This will prevent
you from making some bad decisions that can affect your look. For example,
short and lean types should avoid baggy, loose clothes that draw attention
to their body size.
Trousers
The most influential garment ever invented in America is the denim waist
overall, first made in 1873 by Levi Strauss. Trousers are tailored in four
different styles -- flannels, cords, khakis and jeans. Although khakis and
jeans have become more socially acceptable as semi-dress wear, three dress
pants styles are still the recommended choice for a good impression. The
gray tropical wool is the quintessential pair of dress pants and is perfect
with a casual wool jacket. The charcoal gray flannel is a staple that goes
well with sweaters or a shirt and tie combination. The tan corduroy is a
no-brainer with a navy blazer or tweed jacket, combined with a smart silk
tie.
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How you wear your pants is as important as their style and color.
The debate revolves around the question of length: Exactly how far
should a pair of pants extend down onto the shoe? The final decision
depends on the cut of the pants' cuff, specifically cuffed suit,
uncuffed suit, chinos or jeans. The editors remind us that "too long
and your britches look borrowed ... too short and you'll get pegged
as a clam digger."
Accessories
The most effective way to accentuate your own style is with
accessories. Accessories are "a statement about yourself than can
make an otherwise pedestrian outfit the object of admiration,
respect, even envy." Fashion accessories refer to ties, pocket
squares, cuff links, watches, wallets, sunglasses, gloves, scarves,
belts and socks.
One of the most important accessories is the tie. A tie is only
as successful as the knot used on it. The three standard knots are
the four-in-hand, the half-Windsor and the full-Windsor. The
four-in-hand is quick and simple, while the Windsor (made famous by
Frank Sinatra) is more difficult to achieve but an elegant fashion
statement.
Bow ties were traditionally considered to be worn to formal
affairs but recently have found their place in more casual social
settings. The six simple steps to tie a bow tie are fully
illustrated in the book, and you will know you have a successful bow
tie knot when it conceals the collar band behind it.
"Esquire: The Handbook of Style" is an easy-to-understand guide
that the modern man can reference to create his own fashion
appearance that is both stylish and sensible. The book helps you
"learn what to buy, how and when to wear it, and how to maintain
it." In the words of fashion icon Yves St. Laurent, "Fashions fade.
Style is eternal." This book is recommended for men everywhere who
are seeking an advantage in developing their own style and look.
[Text from file received
from Richard Sumrall,
Lincoln Public Library District]
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