Men’s Style by Russell Smith – Book Review
Sartorial-style writers tend to have a charming prose style. This is certainly the case with Russell Smith, author of Men’s Style: The Thinking Man’s Guide to Dress. His book is full of interesting and entertaining anecdotes, paragraphs and twists, but he never seems to try too hard. You are able to explain the technical details of elegant clothing while writing in plain English, easier said than done.
The only problem with any style guide is that, at its heart, style is a matter of personal taste and the rules become more subjective as you gain experience. Russell does not deny it, but he is also firm in his convictions. Personally, I would rather read a book like this, even if I disagree with most of the author’s prescriptions and proscriptions, than a book full of weak relativism (“Leisure suits are not my thing, but wear them if you want.” How useful would that be?).
The style rules are meant to make dressing up less confusing, as “it helps to know the rules, especially if you’re new to this whole game and don’t trust your own taste.” Fred Astaire may be able to rock an outfit that leaves you or me looking like a jumpsuit in disguise, not because he’s handsome (he’s not) but because he’s a pro. You can break the rules because you know them and you know the loopholes.
The book is a good introduction to the masculine style, especially the traditional and somewhat formal style. It shows you how clothes can make you feel sexy and cool. It shows you how to dress for different occasions. It is also a fun read. But if you are looking for advice on, for example, how to choose the best shirt color for your skin tone, or how to dress for your body type, you might want something more practical and technical.
The book has wide margins, which allow for quotes, illustrations, and side bars to frame the page. The illustrations, by the excellently named Edwin Fotheringham, are a nice addition and help illustrate the author’s point: A chapter on casual dress features a man dressed in a casual cashmere suit with a gold chain. The legend: “Informal dress is probably the weakest point of contemporary man.” Point made.
This is a great gift for a man who is interested in style, or at least sleeping with women. (If you are interested in sleeping with men, you will still find it entertaining.) If you have a spouse, sibling, or friend who makes abysmal fashion choices, consider gifting them this book as an introduction to style. I’ve combined this book with an old Fred Astaire or Carey Grant picture book, just to point out how important good style can be.