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Gentleman: A Timeless Fashion
Those who study Bernhard Roetzel's wonderful book need have no worries. Here is all one needs to assume the mantle that epitomises civilized man. Here is richness indeed - for here is the gentleman's handbook.
357 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
24 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
About the author
Bernhard Roetzel
33 books22 followersBernhard Roetzel is a German author. He is known for writing Gentleman. A Timeless Guide to Fashion.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 29, 2026
Zugegeben, so ein Buch legt man sich in Griffweite beim Toilettenbesuch oder auf den Wohnzimmertisch, um hohen Besuch Kultiviertheit vorzuheucheln.
Aber der Inhalt bietet trotz dem ersten Augenschein ein gut sortiertes Lexikon (mit Bildern!) über Männermode; ein bisschen historischer Kontext, aber vor allem Darstellung von korrekt ausgeführtem klassischen Stil mitsamt Accessoires und einer Sammlung an geschätzten und zeitgetesteten Marken.
Angenehm zum gedankenverlorenen Durchblättern, aber auch um spezifische Infos zu finden. Großartiges Nachschlagewerk (mit Bildern!)
Aber der Inhalt bietet trotz dem ersten Augenschein ein gut sortiertes Lexikon (mit Bildern!) über Männermode; ein bisschen historischer Kontext, aber vor allem Darstellung von korrekt ausgeführtem klassischen Stil mitsamt Accessoires und einer Sammlung an geschätzten und zeitgetesteten Marken.
Angenehm zum gedankenverlorenen Durchblättern, aber auch um spezifische Infos zu finden. Großartiges Nachschlagewerk (mit Bildern!)
December 9, 2011
Each of my brothers and I received a copy of this book for Christmas a few years ago. "Life-altering" is perhaps too strong a word, but it was instrumental in helping me make the long slow journey from adolescence to adulthood.
Here, you'll learn how to care for a shirt, how to properly pack a suit-jacket in a suitcase, how to properly was your hair - there's almost nothing left uncovered. I particularly enjoy the chapter about shoes.
It's not perfect; at times it can focus a bit too much on English fashion and style, giving it a conservative or even old-fashioned feel. However, it is full of so much good information that a crusty Anglo-centric emphasis can be forgiven. Taken as a guideline rather than a code of laws, you really won't find a better introduction to mens' fashion.
Here, you'll learn how to care for a shirt, how to properly pack a suit-jacket in a suitcase, how to properly was your hair - there's almost nothing left uncovered. I particularly enjoy the chapter about shoes.
It's not perfect; at times it can focus a bit too much on English fashion and style, giving it a conservative or even old-fashioned feel. However, it is full of so much good information that a crusty Anglo-centric emphasis can be forgiven. Taken as a guideline rather than a code of laws, you really won't find a better introduction to mens' fashion.
July 9, 2018
Tato kniha je opravdu nadčasová a o pánském stylu oblékání má opravdu hodně co říct. Hezké obrázky, příjemně se čte, čtenáře vzdělá v tématech látek a střihů či druhů obuvi.
Když ale člověk začne hledat něco konkrétního, zjistí, že je tahle kniha docela povrchní. Kapitola o holení vás odbyje popisem toho, jak vás oholí v salónu (kdo má čas se třikrát týdně někam objednávat?), tipů na vhodné kombinace barev a vzorů se nedočkáte skoro vůbec (jistě, záleží i na osobním vkusu a módní odvaze ale... Nějak se k tomu člověk dopracovat musí).
Takže... Příjemná záležitost k šálku čaje ze starého porcelánu, ale to je asi tak všechno.
Když ale člověk začne hledat něco konkrétního, zjistí, že je tahle kniha docela povrchní. Kapitola o holení vás odbyje popisem toho, jak vás oholí v salónu (kdo má čas se třikrát týdně někam objednávat?), tipů na vhodné kombinace barev a vzorů se nedočkáte skoro vůbec (jistě, záleží i na osobním vkusu a módní odvaze ale... Nějak se k tomu člověk dopracovat musí).
Takže... Příjemná záležitost k šálku čaje ze starého porcelánu, ale to je asi tak všechno.
October 30, 2013
Good referance for gentilmen fashion and dress code. But it should be updated.Because in 2013 has new dress codes' details. Jacket styles, New terms, etc... We know that Uk editors looking the world on a traditional vision.I think it should change.
July 11, 2025
I am attracted to classical menswear since early on. It even might have been started in primary school. Back then I would often go to the regional library to pick up books that I wanted to read and occasionally even read.
There were some books that I picked up quite often, this was one of them.
Now years later I started my sartorial journey, trusting that my grow has stopped.
So I was amazed that back at the library of my childhood, this book was out to sell.
Now going throw the pages I find some things that I had to pay money on to learn through experience.
On one hand I am quite happy to start my journey with an already quite large knowledge of the classical style, on the other hand, rules such as in this book often suit only those you already have the complete wardrobe and give mainly directions how this wardrobe might look like.
The book itself is quite conservative and almost like caricature to read today. Many rules were probably outdated already at the time and descriptions on what groups of people wear what, whether artists or Americans often seems to be out of a cartoon.
However this comments are sometimes not without the irony that you find in some nationalism of the 19. or early 20. century and one must appreciate that Roetzel gets the tendencies right if he makes prognoses.
So should you read this book:
Probably yes, since it is really a good encyclopedia.
You probably have heard of the Picasso-quote Picasso: “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist” and this is exactly how to read this book.
The inventions from rule-breaking the Italian brought into mensstyle are even to this day from an appreciation of the british roots of the style.
The degeneration of style is not only apparent in the fact that we have replaced the trench coat with the plastic poncho, but also if you look in the parliaments.
The epidemic of casualization is troublesome.
Politicians are throwing away the ties, wearing sloppy suits and sometimes it might even seem their project is too look not too good.
However it is an interesting insight that in all they're trying to wear casual-outfits they don't know how. So for example you see them with the same dress shirts that were invented for wearing ties or bowties and nobody seems to get the idea to choose a bottom-down-collar or an Cooper-collar, more casual collars that are suitable to wear without a tie.
They probably would if they read Roetzel.
If you look at mid-century politicians even from America, they known how to dress down. Now this seems like a lost art. Instead people wear dress-shirt as a simple reminder that they dress according to the formal situation.
But without fitting suit, without tie, without style this is just a reminder: the uncanny valley of style.
This is sad since buying high-quality items is easier than ever. You can find even Luxury-suits like Brioni or Kiton suits under 200 Euro if you search patient. We won this whole new way of shopping that is if I am not missing something no topic of Roetzels book.
And there is so much values in a proper classical wardrobe.
The value of beauty is only the most obvious, but also craftsmanship, taste, sustainability.
Because yes a good suit can be worn for years like a good shoe.
A good shoe can with good care worn as long that the cost per wear is under the costs of a fast-fashion one.
These are values we should reconquer today.
We need them to answer the climate crisis.
And to the left-wing people: The suit is not a sign of capitalism, a good suit was largely egalitarian for a long time, such look to Italy, it was a investion like a good bike today.
Capitalism replaced it with fast-fashion.
Bring the suit back.
bring back the beauty and craftsmanship.
Read Roetzel to learn it.
There were some books that I picked up quite often, this was one of them.
Now years later I started my sartorial journey, trusting that my grow has stopped.
So I was amazed that back at the library of my childhood, this book was out to sell.
Now going throw the pages I find some things that I had to pay money on to learn through experience.
On one hand I am quite happy to start my journey with an already quite large knowledge of the classical style, on the other hand, rules such as in this book often suit only those you already have the complete wardrobe and give mainly directions how this wardrobe might look like.
The book itself is quite conservative and almost like caricature to read today. Many rules were probably outdated already at the time and descriptions on what groups of people wear what, whether artists or Americans often seems to be out of a cartoon.
However this comments are sometimes not without the irony that you find in some nationalism of the 19. or early 20. century and one must appreciate that Roetzel gets the tendencies right if he makes prognoses.
So should you read this book:
Probably yes, since it is really a good encyclopedia.
You probably have heard of the Picasso-quote Picasso: “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist” and this is exactly how to read this book.
The inventions from rule-breaking the Italian brought into mensstyle are even to this day from an appreciation of the british roots of the style.
The degeneration of style is not only apparent in the fact that we have replaced the trench coat with the plastic poncho, but also if you look in the parliaments.
The epidemic of casualization is troublesome.
Politicians are throwing away the ties, wearing sloppy suits and sometimes it might even seem their project is too look not too good.
However it is an interesting insight that in all they're trying to wear casual-outfits they don't know how. So for example you see them with the same dress shirts that were invented for wearing ties or bowties and nobody seems to get the idea to choose a bottom-down-collar or an Cooper-collar, more casual collars that are suitable to wear without a tie.
They probably would if they read Roetzel.
If you look at mid-century politicians even from America, they known how to dress down. Now this seems like a lost art. Instead people wear dress-shirt as a simple reminder that they dress according to the formal situation.
But without fitting suit, without tie, without style this is just a reminder: the uncanny valley of style.
This is sad since buying high-quality items is easier than ever. You can find even Luxury-suits like Brioni or Kiton suits under 200 Euro if you search patient. We won this whole new way of shopping that is if I am not missing something no topic of Roetzels book.
And there is so much values in a proper classical wardrobe.
The value of beauty is only the most obvious, but also craftsmanship, taste, sustainability.
Because yes a good suit can be worn for years like a good shoe.
A good shoe can with good care worn as long that the cost per wear is under the costs of a fast-fashion one.
These are values we should reconquer today.
We need them to answer the climate crisis.
And to the left-wing people: The suit is not a sign of capitalism, a good suit was largely egalitarian for a long time, such look to Italy, it was a investion like a good bike today.
Capitalism replaced it with fast-fashion.
Bring the suit back.
bring back the beauty and craftsmanship.
Read Roetzel to learn it.
July 10, 2023
There are far too many guides to men's style out there that have no business being published, much less read. Roetzel's book is a bit dated in 2023, but it's a testament to his taste and good sense that much of the clothes shown look just as good today as they did in the late '90s. His recommendations always lean toward the classic and the traditional, but despite that (and the use of the word "gentleman," usually a red flag) the book is fun and not focused on pretending to be something you're not. Casual looks are well-represented along with the usual formal ones, and there's a wealth of useful knowledge about color and fabric pairings and little details about the wear and history of common items. The section on packing is especially good! Alan Flusser is all well and good, but this is really the one "how-to" book for any menswear enthusiast.
September 19, 2021
Suhteellisen hyvin ajantasainen kirja vielä näin 2020 luvulle. Klassiseen miehen muotiin hyvä hakuteos.
July 23, 2022
A great book if you run with the Caucasian social elite. God bless and have a great day!
January 9, 2024
Zeitlos in jeder Hinsicht, dasselbe für Frauen wäre aber auch nice
May 21, 2015
Un big black book de saber usar textiles y de apariencia. Es un clásico insuperable pues incluye al rey del estilo. El duque de Windsor, cuyas ideas de vanguardia abrieron el camino que hoy en día sigue la moda del hombre.
March 21, 2008
Contains everything a man should ever know about dress, grooming and etiquette.
April 21, 2008
My bible of classic men's fashion. Everything you need to know about what to wear when, what it should be made of, and how it should fit.
January 30, 2009
Der ideale Ratgeber für alle Kleidungs- und Stilfragen. Kann ich jedem nur empfehlen, der sich mit Anzügen, Krawatten & Co. auseinandersetzen muss oder will.
September 17, 2010
I love this book. It has great explanations on the different types of shoes, shirt collars and accessories. A great friend introduced me to this book, so it holds a special meaning for me.
April 2, 2012
Rich in illustration and neat in discussion, Roetzel's book serves up some useful information on Gentlemanly fashion.
August 17, 2012
Very thorough and very British. A nice reference for any man to have. Lavish pictures.
February 28, 2014
A terribly amusing book. But how seriously can you take a book that suggests a gentleman might dry clean his Levi jeans to keep them from fading?
July 31, 2014
Oivallinen perusteos klassiseen miestenmuotiin. Helppo tapa aloittaa harrastus.
September 14, 2009
My bible when it comes to style and grooming. It is timeless and wonderfully done.
February 9, 2019
Fånig och rolig bok med några bra knep tex hur man viker en kavaj.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews