Esquire The Handbook of Style: A Man's Guide to Looking Good

Esquire The Handbook of Style: A Man's Guide to Looking Good

Esquire The Handbook of Style: A Man's Guide to Looking Good
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Book Summary Information

Editor: The Editors of Esquire Magazine
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-01-06
ISBN: 1588167461
Number of pages: 224
Publisher: Hearst

Book Reviews of Esquire The Handbook of Style: A Man's Guide to Looking Good

Book Review: Excellent Reference Guide
Summary: 5 Stars

Are you a man who simply wants to dress better without being mistaken for a metrosexual? If you are, this book is definitely something you can use. Divided into different bite-sized chapters, each packed with useful information and photos, the Esquire Handbook of Style is intended as an introduction to a world of classic men's style that is both elegant and masculine. While much of the material in here is recycled from various articles from Esquire magazine that you may have already read, it's great having it organized and in one place.

The focus is almost always on dressier clothing that white-collar professionals would wear to the office, as well as what to wear to the theater, restaurants, weekending, etc. We are repeatedly given the message that a modest amount of quality clothes chosen tastefully will serve us much better than a large number of cheap, trendy clothes. It's a message that many of us do need to hear over and over, because moderately-priced clothing stores often push cheaply manufactured knockoffs of current trends and leave us with the impression that unless we wear the very latest styles we look awful. The Esquire Handbook of Style takes a totally different approach, and shows not only how to determine quality in clothing before you buy, but also how versatile the basic building blocks of a man's wardrobe really are.

This is intended as a long-term reference book. Almost all the photos are of Golden Age Hollywood celebs such as Fred Astaire and Cary Grant. The binding, quality of paper, and the cover itself suggest that this is a book that you can use throughout your life. Indeed, it's so well-bound that you might mistake it for a vintage book.

I think this is a great book for recent high school grads or for college students who need to score a plum internship or first 'real' job. This is an excellent and readable book for any male making the transition from a career in which wardrobe is not an issue (such as college education, or a job in which you need to wear a uniform) to one where you are expected to present a crisp business-like appearance. I personally wish I'd had this book years ago as it would have made my adaptation to the office much easier.

The only downside I can see to this book is that the accessories chapter is much too brief. This is unfortunate because it isn't entirely clear why you would want to learn to knot several different styles for neckties, what materials or stitching are best for neckties, etc. It could simply be that the editors regard the rules regarding neckwear to be much looser than the rules regarding shirts and jackets, but its all too easy for men to slip into the habit of ruining an otherwise great look with a hideously garish (and often over-priced) tie. I would have liked to see more about this, as well as options regarding the appropriateness of lapel pins and pocket watches.

Summary of Esquire The Handbook of Style: A Man's Guide to Looking Good

Each year, the editors of Esquire produce a special issue of the magazine devoted to men?s style called The Big Black Book, which has been wildly successful. Using the same pragmatic, highly illustrated approach, and laced with Esquire?s trademark humor, Esquire The Handbook of Style brings readers vital information on every aspect of a man?s wardrobe, from suits and shirts, to shoes and neckties, to watches and other accessories. The style-minded reader will find useful advice on suit fabrics and cuts, the right kind of trousers for his build, the essential outerwear to own, how to dress properly for an occasion, how to tie a tie, how to pack for a trip, grooming strategies, and much, much more. A compact and sophisticated accessory in its own right, Esquire The Handbook of Style will be the style bible for the well-dressed man for years to come.

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