Style and the Man: How and Where to Buy Fine Mens' Clothes

by Alan Flusser

“If you dispense income on clothes, this book is indispensable.”
— GQ “Alan Flusser is one of the most knowledgeable experts on men’s fashion, and has created the ultimate reference for everything you need to know about good taste, great style, and where to find it throughout the world.”
— Ralph Lauren The classic, essential guide for men about buying fashionable and long-lasting clothes by the author of Dressing the Man .

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction, Business, Childrens

399 pages, Hardcover

First published October 9, 1996

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd bet that line in Marriage Story--that Adam Driver's character dresses well, "which is hard for a man"--is mostly true. Most men, including yours truly, would benefit from more advice. Flusser responds with Style and the Man.

Although Flusser will note the "sumptuousness" of a silk tie or the luxurious feeling of custom made clothing, I mostly found him a pragmatic mentor. I loved Flusser's comparison of braces and belts. Many men, he reports, feel that women find belt buckles more attractive, but at a certain point belts are just one more thing making a man's belly look bigger. Food for thought.

I wouldn't advise against reading Style and the Man, especially if it comes to you when libraries are closed due to pandemic flu, but I wonder if much of its information can be found online or in a subreddit. I further question the return on investment improving men's fashion by focusing on blazers and button downs. Even now there are too many fedora/ vest/ wolves howling at the moon t-shirts combos. Wouldn't we gain more raising the floor?

A final note: I once read that the best things most men can do to look stylish are 1) lose weight and 2) grow taller. Style and the Man did not convince me that these are easy hurdles to overcome, even if some exceptionally well dressed men do clear them.

[Phillip Jefferis · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s all good advice, but read Dressing the Man instead. Dressing the Man is more complete and fantastic. This book lifts a lot directly from his previous book. More of a pocket version of his classic.

[Vincent · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read Dressing the Man and this was on my Christmas list from years ago. Figured I would read it since I had some time. I didn't really like it that much and finished it to finish. There were a couple of ideas presented that were alright, but overall it was dense and clunky.

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful information to have but hard to visualize some of the items. Overall a great introduction for the man interested in dressing better or equipping himself with basic knowledge before buying his first dress attire.

[Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Various helpful tips throughout but also some awkward typos (2010 hardcover edition) and Flusser's writing style is a tad overly florid. Why use a word like "habiliments" at all anymore when everyone says clothing? It really just makes your writing seem old-fashioned and stuffy. The illustrations used throughout the book were mostly helpful but the book could have used more of them. Often, Flusser describes something in a very technical "tailor-like" way and it is difficult to picture in the mind without a visual illustration. There should have been more and perhaps photographs as well. The chapter on formal wear is unlikely to be useful to 99% of society and also not sure an entire chapter on neckwear was necessary... but to each their own.

[Si Squires-Kasten · Rating 3 out of 5]

read while wearing a hoodie and mesh shorts. flusser’s a fussy little bitch

[Dennis Chow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learnt some new things. Enjoyed it.

[Arne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Alan is as far removed from the reality of buying clothes as a person can be.

$3000 for a pair of handmade shoes? Now I don't know if exchange rates hate South African feet but that translates to R30 000 for a pair of shoes. Would you rather have a week long holiday overseas and a pair of shoes, or just a pair of shoes? Ridiculous.

I enjoy his writing style though;
"socks, the step children of accessories"
:)
"only buy clip on suspenders if you also intend on buying a farm"
:D

He also writes from the perspective that everyone knows what Worsted and Tattersall and a plethora of other obscure fashionisms are. I learnt a thing or two though.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm trying, slowly but surely, to incorporate some of the many, many tips I gleaned from reading this essential treatise on style into my wardrobe. But let's just say that I have a long way to go. I may not be able to afford to shop at the places he recommends, but I can at least take into account some of the good advice he provides on making sure things fit properly. Starting with: you don't wear a large, dummy!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful book for learning THE RULES of men's clothing. Some of the advice is outdated, but the principles remain. Flusser's tips on how to fit a suit into a suitcase are top-notch and will be forever useful.

Unfortunately, I failed to find the author's charmingly acerbic style to be charming throughout.

[Brandon Michaud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative regarding the aspects of clothing including tailoring and its general rules pertaining to proper fit and style.

[Rod · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first 100 pages has some great tips, but the last 300, about where to shop are pretty useless (and by now outdated.)

[andrew y · Rating 4 out of 5]

It does what it claims to. Provides bare-bones information on dressing like a gentleman, from a decidedly classic/conservatie frame of mind.