Men's Style: The Thinking Man's Guide to Dress

By Russell Smith

Book Overview

Men's Styleis a personal and knowledgeable compendium of tasteful advice for the thinking man on how to dress and shop for clothes in a world of conflicting fashion imperatives. This sophisticated and witty book by the popularGlobe and Mailcolumnist combines nuggets of history and the sociology of masculine attire with a practical and supremely useful guide to achieving an elegant and affordable wardrobe for work and play. In chapters and amusing sidebars on shoes, suits, shirts and ties, formal and casual wear, underwear and swimsuits, cufflinks and watches, coats, hats, and scarves, Russell Smith steers a confident course between the hazards of blandness and vulgarity to articulate a philosophy of dress that can take you anywhere. He tells you what the rules are for looking the part at the office, a formal function, or the hippest party, and when you can toss those rules aside. Men's Styleis supplemented throughout with fifty black-and-white illustrations and diagrams by illustrator Edwin Fotheringham. From the Hardcover edition.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0771081251
• ISBN13: 9780771081255
• Release Date: September 2005
• Publisher: McClelland & Stewart
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.2" x 0.9" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

good advice

This book is a keeper. It does not tell you anything about what is current in fashion but rather how to dress with any current fashion. I got this for my husband, who now dresses much better. It is a good read for anybody that likes to see themselves or the man in their life looking good.

Incredible in the true sense of the word

It's obvious from the first sentence in the book that Mr. Smith is no Metro-sexual who happened to have landed a book deal. This book is too eloquent, too informative and far too witty to ever pass it off as just a "how to" book. Russell Smith truly understands what it means to be a man and how to look like one. He also understands that what you wear is an indication of your consideration for other people. I find this refreshing, especially as someone in their late 20's. Every man should use this book as a bible for fashion.

Truly a thoughtful guide

I have obtained the askmen.com book and details style guide as well and this stood out as a great read through, it's more like reading a book than a guide. The author shares his thoughts and ideas rather than imposing a strict set of rules on you. It's up to you to agree or disagree, but it's a great set of parameters and constraints to lead you down the right path. I wish there were more visual pictorial references, but then again you'd be copying rather than coming up with one's own style. The focus of the book is the clothes, it's purpose and history. If you want something more of a visual guide I'd recommend the details style guide.

Brilliant book for the modern man wanting to look his best

Russell Smith is a Canadian writer whose work appears in The Globe and Mail, as well as the Toronto-based website, xyyz.com. In this little book, Smith provides timeless advice for selecting clothing that is both well-made and eminently stylish. For example, he walks the reader through both what to look for in finely crafted dress shirts, ties, shoes, and sportjackets, and also gives detailed advice on choosing colors, patterns, and fabrics. Though he clearly appreciates classic men's clothing, Smith departs greatly from dogmatists like Alan Flusser, reconciling the best of the "rules" with the sartorial realties of 21st century. Arguably the best of the modern style guides.

Excellent guide for men's style

I read the local library's copy and just purchased a copy to keep. I read through several men's style books a couple months ago and I found this one to be the best. It covers all parts of the man's wardrobe (shoes, suits, shirts, ties, coats, etc.) and it's very well-versed on the history of men's style and where conventions of dress originated. It's not just a history lesson though, it has a lot to say about how to dress, how to look for quality, and what a man needs to build a versatile and tasteful wardrobe.