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Two books for guys or the women that clothe them
By Meg | July 6, 2007
I’ve been married now for over five years, and perhaps one of the hardest battles I’ve fought has been trying to get my husband to shop for new clothes. Finally, some time this year it dawned on me that – unlike for us women – men’s sizes are pretty standard and I can buy some things for him without him actually being there. So we now have a system where every now and then, or as needed, I buy a few pieces, bring them home, he decides what he wants to keep, and I return the rest. It actually works out pretty well. As a result, though, I’ve been paying a lot more attention to men’s clothing. While much more trend-resistant than women’s clothing, there are still many, many options to choose from. So, recently I checked out two books which I would like to tell you about, Men’s Wardrobe (Chic Simple)
Both are from the Chic Simple series and are excellent. Men’s Wardrobe takes a broader look at men’s clothing than Dress Smart Men, which focuses on what to wear to get a job, keep it, and then get a better job. However, both go into great detail. I was really amazed at how much the books covered, despite their non-encyclopedic size. Both books cover patterns, cuts, materials, and style in general. They go beyond clothes to even talk about accessories, clothing care, shopping tips, and even a smattering of etiquette. Importantly, the authors don’t just show options, they also give you an idea of the message they are likely to send, from urban to rugged, trendy to old-fashioned.
I particularly liked Dress Smart Men because it did cover what to wear to interviews or on the job when a suit is not appropriate. As you know if you’ve read my post Dressing for Job Interviews at Casual Companies, there are some times now when a suit is no longer the best choice for an interview. You won’t find the authors advocating jeans and t-shirts, though. Their “business casual” and “business appropriate” outfits look sharp and polished.
If you know a guy who could use a wardrobe makeover, these books would make a great addition to their library. These books cover the topics beautifully and easily. I’ll admit that I learned a great deal myself.
Now, do you know of any great books on men’s wear that you’d recommend?
Tags: Book Reviews, Fashion, Men, Style
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