cover image Clothes and the Man: The Principles of Fine Men's Dress

Clothes and the Man: The Principles of Fine Men's Dress

Alan Flusser. Villard Books, $35 (210pp) ISBN 978-0-394-54623-0

""A sense of style is acquired,'' notes menswear designer Flusser (Making the Man), and ""the ultimate aim of this book is to try to educate the reader about the basic principles of fine dressing.'' Through his overview of changes in men's fashions from the 1930s (""the height of elegance'') to the present, and his discussion of the current styles of suits, shirts, shoes and accessories, the author attains his goal. There are tips on fit and color coordination, recommendations for appropriate wear for different occasions, clothing suggestions for other-than-average figures (playing down a full figure, drawing attention away from long legs, giving the illusion of height to a short man) and drawings that illustrate what Flusser decrees to be the right way to knot a tie or fold a handkerchief. A useful guide by an expert in the field. Author tour. October