Details Men's Style Manual: The Ultimate Guide for Making Your Clothes Work for You

245 Pages·2007·83.5 MB·English

by  Daniel Peres, the editors of Details magazine

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THE ULTIMATE GUIDE •
DANIE·L PERES
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FOR MAKING YOUR CLOTHES • AND THE EDITORS
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WORK FOR YOU • OF DETAILS
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CONTENTS
Introduction by Daniel Peres 6
Rules of Style 10
Classics You Should Already Own 12
Chapter 1: Shirts 14 Chapter 8: Casual Shirts 148
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Three Degrees of the We ll-Dressed Man 32 Rules of Style: Donna Karan 162
Chapter 2: Pants 34 Chapter 9: Sweaters 164
Rules of Style: Giorgio Armani 56 The Movies That Shaped Men's Style 180
Chapter 3: Blazers 58 Rules of Style: Christopher Bailey 182
Map of the Wel l-Dressed Man 74 Chapter 10.: Outerwear 184
Chapter 4: Ties 76 Ru les of Style: Zac Posen 202
Rules of Style: Michael Kors 90 Chapter 11: Underwear 204
Chapter 5: Suits 92 Rules of Style: Kenneth Cole 212
Know the Code 114 Chapter 12: Shoes 214
Chapter 6: Formalwear 116 Rules of Style: Donatel la Versace 230
Rules of Style: Sean Combs 130 Chapter 13: Accessories 232
Chapter 7: Jeans 132
Rules of Style: Tommy Hilfiger 146 How to Pack 251
How to Care for Your Wardrobe 255
Where to Shop 261
Acknowledgments 268
Credits 269
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5
Introduction
A ew ears a o, a sto on t e
ront _a e o t e New Yor Times
Peres is a s o . "
This was in the first sentence of an article about how it was
fashionable for men to wear their shirts untucked, and I I
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was its inspiration. Egos being what they are, the devil in
me was thrilled. ·
In a world of skinny suits and pointy shoes, I was rather
content dressing down. I had adopted a uniform of jeans,
sweaters, and tattered Chucks and the occasional button-
down shirt, untucked, of course. I even wore a fleece to a
Versace fashion show once. In fact, at the men's fashion
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shows in Milan and Paris, I often looked more like the editor
of Monster Truck Monthly than Details.
While I was convinced I looked, well, devilishly handsome,
I have since realized that I was, as the Times stated, a slob.
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6 : INTRODUCTION
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I decided to do something about it. It was time for me to
start behaving like a gentleman, and in order to do so, I had
to begin dressing like one.
So when it came time to travel to Europe for the next
batch of runway shows, I chose to wear a suit and tie every
day. Let's just say it wasn't a subtle transformation. "Job
interview?" cracked one smart-ass rival editor. "You look so
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mature," said another, more insulting than complimentary,
as if to say, "Hey, why aren't you dressed like a college fresh-
man anymore?" And at least a half-dozen people asked if
I was going to a funeral.
I guess, in a way, that's how I used to approach these
seasonal fashion exhibitions with the level of enthusi-
asm generally reserved for a wake. I had to be there, but I
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wanted out in the worst way. Well, th.ere's something to
be said for osmosis. Years of sitting front row at the collec-
tions had changed my interest from faux to genuine.
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INTRODUCTION : 7
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These designers had finally gotten through to me. I realized
the importance of being well dressed. (Don't get me wrong,
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jeans and sneakers can be very stylish just not every day.)
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This book is here to help you with your own transforma-
tion. Whether you've got your act together and simply need
some occasional advice, or, like me, you want to give your-
self a makeover, this is your guide.
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My own sartorial shortcomings notwithstanding, Details
has always taken fashion seriously. Our editors have consis-
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tently presented the right mix of classic and cutting-edge.
This book channels much of their collective fashion wisdom
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into a piece-by-piece evaluation of the male wardrobe.
The Details Men's Style Manual is your very own fa·shion
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editor the expert you can turn to with any question you
may have or any advice you may need.
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Style is something extremely personal. No one, especially
the editors of Details, should tell you how to dress. If you
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8 · INTRODUCTION
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feel confident with your shirt untucked, then by all means
don't tuck. I've always maintained that most men already
have their own sense of style. But every now and then
everyone needs to make some adjustments.
That's exactly what I've done. It's not like I sold my soul to
the fashion elite. I've simply changed my tune. And that's
the great thing about fashion there's so much out there to .
choose from, as long as you're paying attention.
And if, like most men, you're too busy to pay attention on
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your own, take comfort in the fact that we've done it for
you. Everything you need to know is right here. You no lon-
ger have an excuse for looking like a slob.
Daniel Peres
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INTRODUCTION : 9
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COMING TO TERMS WITH YOUR BODY TYPE
CAN BE LIBERATING. ONCE YOU START
WEARING SUITS AND TROUSERS CUT
PRECISELY TO FIT YOU, YOU'LL REALIZE
THIS. NO MAN LOOKS ELEGANT IN A TOO-
TIGHT JACKET OR BAGGY PANTS.
If you feel most comfortable in a
charcoal suit with a pale tie and a
pocket square, wear a variation on
that outfit five days a week. Powerful
men have signature looks .
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10 : RULES OF STYLE
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Don't try to dress
like a movie star un-
less you are one. Just
because Brad Pitt or
~ Johnny Depp can pull
it off doesn't mean
you can.Go ahead
and experiment with
trends now and then,
but don' t wear a pork-
pie hat because you
saw a celebrity do it.
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ARE CLASSIC FOR A REASON.
MEN'S STYLE HAS CHANGED LITTLE
OVER THE PAST ONE HUNDRED YEARS.
YOU SHOULDN'T BE THE PERSON
WHO TRIES TO BREAK THE MOLD.
WHEN IN DOUBT, ASK YOURSELF,
"WHAT WOULD CARY GRANT DO?"
Don.'t try too hard.
Be inquisitive.
Strive for being stylish rather than
If a friend 1s looking particularly sharp go ahead and
fashionable and remember that the
find out where he buys his threads. Chances are his
most important person to dress for
answer will broaden your horizons. .
1s you.
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RULES OF STYLE : 11
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CLASSICS YOU SHOULD
ALREADY OWN
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AN OVERCOAT THAT
COMPLEMENTS CUSTOM
SUITS AND MAKES JEANS
LOOK ELEGANT
A SINGLE-BREASTED NAVY
BLUE SUIT AND A GRAY
SUIT, BOTH IN A MEDIUM
WEIGHT THAT YOU CAN WEAR
YEAR-ROUND
A NAVY
BLAZER
TWO PAIRS OF
GOOD SHOES-
ONE BLACK ,
THE OTHER
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DARK BROWN
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A SLIM
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DARK-
COLORED
TIE
D D D
TWO WHITE ONE BLUE TWO POLO
SHIRTS SHIRT SHIRTS
A SIMPLE A PAIR OF BASIC
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BLACK BELT STRAIGHT- LEG
BLUE JEANS
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SEVERAL PAIRS
OF BLACK COTTON
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SOCKS
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CLASSICS YOU SHOU L D ALREADY OWN : 13
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