Men's Style - by Russell Smith (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Guys don't wear wolf pelts anymore, but not much else has changed in the world of men's clothes: the right suit, or tie, or shirt, or shoes still projects mystery, erotic potential, and power. And to negotiate these hurdles with style and confidence, Men's Style is indispensable---a valuable source of practical advice for how to dress in a world of conflicting fashion imperatives, and a witty guide to the history, trends, codes, and conventions of men's attire.

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 twin hazards of blandness and vulgarity to articulate a philosophy of dress that can take you anywhere.

Here you'll find the rules for looking the part at the office, a formal function, or the hippest party---and learn when you can toss those rules aside. And you'll find level answers to all of your questions. What color suit should a man buy first? Should socks match the belt, pants, or shoes? What tuxedos are always in, and which aren't ever? And what's required of ambiguous social situations like "dress casual" and "black-tie optional"? The answers are here, in a book that's full of trivia, history, and guidance---finally, the perfect guide for brothers, fathers, sons, and selves.

Review Quotes

"Witty and informed manual of male dress sense...Mr. Smith provides detailed tips, with illustrations, on myriad points of male attire, from tweed selection to shirt-tucking to watches and Y-fronts, along with helpful overviews of big-picture manly clothing dilemmas." --The New York Times

"His restless intellectualism, his muscular prose, and his signature wit make him the auteur de mode for the club crowd and fashion literati alike. Men's Style abounds with captivating and original insights. Both a practical guide for the elegant man and a cultural survey of fashion and trends. It is even more entertaining as a collection of Smith's seductive prose and his often hilarious observations about the urban landscape." --The Globe and Mail

"Flippantly brilliant." --Flare

"A lively, witty yet sensible primer." --Vancouver Sun

"Personal, knowledgeable, and full of tasteful advice." --Weekly Scoop

About the Author

Russell Smith writes weekly columns on both fashion and the media in Toronto's Globe and Mail. He has written for publications including the New York Review of Books, Details, and Travel and Leisure.