****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
This book turned out to be much more than I expected. It has style and color advice plus history of how current western business dress evolved. The pictures are excellent illustrations of style and the fold out color suggestions by season are excellent. The book provides a valuable style guide on areas difficult for many men: such as how to match patterns and colors and what colors to avoid and why. There are instructions on how to tie a necktie. It assumes that a man wants to look good in his clothes whatever amount he spends.Many may think a book like Dressing The Man is no longer worthwhile to read. Due to the ultra relaxed clothing styles enabled by covid-19 remote work the great majority of men no longer need to dress in a coat and tie for the office. The book is dated in that it does not dedicate many pages on how to look good in jeans with fashionable torn knees. This may put off many current 18 to 30 year old men.I recommend the book for any man who wants to maximize value received with a small clothing budget. This is especially true if someone only has enough money for one suit or one sport coat. It offers clear advice on how to look well dressed to women (and perhaps their parents). This book will serve as a valuable guide when more formal styles return as fashion evolves or during the next recession when men's dress becomes more conservative.About two years ago, my wife purchased this classic book for me by Alan Flusser for Christmas. At first, I planned to store the book in the closet. I had a style already which often consisted of khaki slacks and clean golf shirts and was not keen on considering a new one. However, during a break in the holidays, I decided to open the cover and take a look. And there I was greeted with men of style and class who knew how to wear a Windsor knot and when was the correct occasion to wear a perf toe balmoral. It is a shame to admit it, but at first my manliness genes kicked in and my first reaction was, "How gay is this?". With pictures of guys like Cary Grant, the Duke of Windsor and Jimmy Stewart, I thought, yeah, yeah, that was fine back in 1943, but in today's world, that would get you snickered at.But as I read, I began to learn about color, pattern, proportion and dress code. When a suit is called for and when a bowler hat is to be worn. I learned about the difference between evening dress and informal evening dress (black tie) and finally mastered a self tie bow tie. Gradually, I started to put a little bit of money aside and improve my wardrobe. Not in a costumey way that would attract unwanted attention, but in a realistic manner that followed from the advice of Mr Flusser. Something that would go well for the large urban area I live in and blend in correctly for the early 21st century. Slowly, my wardrobe changed. A sportcoat here and later a scarf there began to add up until my usual dressing pattern was somewhat changed.And, how do I dress today? Well, on a Saturday afternoon when I mow the lawn, I still wear my khaki shorts and t-shirt (with holes in it). But, I recently attended an opera with my wife as well and wore a marcella shirt (something I had no idea existed until I read this book). I was even invited to a ball last year with my wife and wore the correct evening dress (white tie) to the event. And I am not a Harvard trained neurosurgeon who sits in my smoking jacket during after hours or a shark of Wall Street who needs $7000 suits. I am a pretty regular dude and if Mr Flusser can help me, he can probably help out most other gents as well. I highly recommend this book and suggest it as good reading if you are possibly interested in seeing a new side of yourself.Five starsGreat historical advice for a different time. Still good advice for upper levels of business.This is a great book about achieving a timeless look and acquiring quality apparel. Like most men, I was never taught anything at all about color coordination or how to match patterns, let alone judge the quality of clothing. I just assumed that it was a talent that some people are simply born with. While it might be true that some people are gifted in that regard, it is also a skill that can be both taught and learned.This book is one of several that I credit for teaching me the basics of dressing well and it has been absolutely indispensable in my professional career. I only wish someone had given it to me as a graduation gift.My only gripe about this book is that Flusser skimps on some details which are made obvious only by their absence. Flusser specifically writes about the importance of color and finding one's personal colors based on the strength of your natural color (skin tone and hair). Flusser goes on to explain how, in ye olden days, men's magazines often had articles discussing and applying color theory to dress and explanations about how one can match clothing colors to personal color to create a pleasing appearance. And that's it. Although he certainly is aware of different theories of how to do these things, they are conspicuously absent from the book.That's a major failing that I hope will be corrected in later editions or by other works. That said, this book is a good gateway into the world of men's fashion that will give the reader a solid foundation for assembling a timeless and functional wardrobe with plenty of practical tips for doing so.My goodness, where to begin. A good book on style with good advice on style, and matching, pairing, colours, and so on. But all the useful stuff here is buried beneath a bunch of self-masturbatory fawning about the royal family, and not to mention that large segments of this book are dated, if not completely outdated.The price is just not worth it, honestly. If they released it on eBook for £5, I'd say grab it. But, give this a miss, and you won't really miss out on anything.I could not believe that a book of this depth exists. Very descriptive, gets into geometry and objective characteristics of a garment. Gives information on the origin of styles and it is rich in photos and explanatory sketches. I would rate with 6 if I could. Literally overwhelmed with this book. Whoever is genuinely interested in classic style, should consider this book. It is an epic book for men style.Some useful info in this book that's known as the bible of fashionIf you want to learn to dress in a way that will save you money, and let you get dressed in the dark whilst still looking good, get this book. It teaches you how to analyse your colours and proportion and figure out the looks for you. It's also rigorous, and you'll know exactly how to look at a man in a suit and criticise everything about its fit. You won't regret it.Mr Flusser knows his stuff; even if he comes at the subject from a US perspective permanent style as he describes it should should be both global and enduring. I am not totally persuaded by his views of colour and complexion, but the sections dealing with 'proportions' are helpful and well-illustrated. In sum a useful addition to the library of chaps with sartorial interests.
