This is an Ongoing Critique of Men's Fashion which contains

• My opinions on what is proper for men to wear.
• Tips on style.
• How to dress without spending a lot of money.

This document's goal is to educate and inform. I am not a fashion expert. What I say is not law. However, I have endeavored not to present any questionable advice.

That being said, it is obligatory to note that I am not what one may call "fashion savvy." I do not read fashion magazines; the principles I put forth are based on "classic" men's fashion. In other words, if you want to make it on the cover of GQ, I can't help you. One clarification: many men's fashion books would have you look like a man from the 30's or, perhaps worse, the 80's. I will attempt to advocate styles that are "classic" not "old fashion"--no one will say to you, "Did you get that in your Grandfather's closet?" Instead, they will simply see a man conservatively yet stylishly dressed.

Throughout the critique, certain material is esoteric--that is, it may be skipped if you aren't into the finer points of dressing.

Also, whenever there's something important to avoid, I have marked it with this.

Finally, I have marked tips on how to save money with this.

CONTENTS

• Shirts
  • Undershirts
  • Polo Shirts
  • Dress
    • Fit
    • Styles
    • Caring for shirts
    • Pressing
• Ties
  • How/Where to Buy a Tie
  • Styles
    • Stripes
    • Prints
  • Knots
    • The Dimple
• Suits (including sport coats)
  1. Why wear suits?
  2. Fabric choice
  3. Construction
  4. Fit
  5. Where to buy a suit
  6. How to buy a suit
  7. Caring for your suit
• Pocket Squares
  • Folds
• Jewelry
  • Watches
  • Cufflinks
• Hosiery
• Shoes

Occasions

Perhaps you want to know what to wear to certain functions... Be warned that this section contains my rants on what people usually wear to various events.

• Parties
• Weddings (not your own)
• Interview
• Styles with Names (i.e., "Blacktie," "Business Casual," etc.)

Style

Most fashion writers handle the subject of style towards the beginning of their works. However, I think it best if you first know what is acceptable (see the Head to Toe and Occasions sections) then proceed to learn how to wear it.

• Modern Style: an Oxymoron
• Style Icons
• Color
• Fabric Choice
• The Lost Art of the Tuxedo

Appendices

1. Choosing a Dry Cleaner

Reader Correspondence

REFERENCES

• Clothes and the Man, by Alan Flusser. A wonderful book which covers all this stuff and more. He has an updated version which is better...
• Style and the Man, by Alan Flusser. Covers how to dress but also more about how to choose colors and just more on "style." Lots of great pictures.