The Indispensable Guide to Classic Men's Clothing [Paperback]

Josh Karlen (Author), Chris Sulavik (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 9, 2007

A best-selling resource for men's style and clothing, The Indispensable Guide to Classic Men's Clothing answers hundreds of questions about classic articles in a man's wardrobe, from ascots to wingtips. It describes, in practical language and through dozens of illustrations, the rules of attire that every man should know for occasions ranging from Casual Fridays to Black Tie.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Few "indispensable" guides are ever just that, but this title comes close to hitting the mark, even though much of the information provided can be found in similar guides, such as Paul Keers's A Gentleman's Wardrobe (1988). Karlen, an attorney and editor, and Sulavik, a journalist, use a question-and-answer format (e.g., "Should a dress shirt have a pocket?") that works well, and the candid remarks provided by dozens of clothing experts are an interesting feature. Helpful line drawings are interspersed throughout the text, although photographs might have provided clearer illustrations in some instances. While this is not quite an indispensable purchase, most public and academic libraries should have at least a few good men's grooming guides like this one on their shelves.AP. Steven Thomas, Central Michigan Univ. Lib., Mt. Pleasant
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"According to The Indispensable Guide to Classic Men's Clothing, the two techniques [tying your shoelaces and tying a bow tie] are similar." -- -- As credited by GQ, June 1999

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: Tatra Press (March 9, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966184718
• ISBN-13: 978-0966184716
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #737,012 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

79 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If only I'd read this book when I first started working...., April 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Indispensable Guide to Classic Men's Clothing (Paperback)

While its true that most offices have gone casual these days, this is a book that should still be in every gentleman's library. To be without this knowledge is to be at a grave disadvantage -- Even if your intent is to break the rules, you'll need to understand them first.

The great thing about this book is that it covers the history, origin and derivation of classic men's style, allowing the reader to not only understand the grand traditions, but to approach modern style with a new awareness (read: power) and appreciation.

I absolutely loved this book -- In fact, I wish I'd read it before I ever entered the business world, as it certainly would have saved me a great deal of time and money, not to mention an awkward wardrobe of costly and seldom-worn garments.

If you're interested not only in what to wear and how to wear it, but curious as to where it came from in the first place, this is the book for you.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars covers all the bases but could be improved, April 15, 2002

By 

Justus Pendleton (Colorado Springs, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Indispensable Guide to Classic Men's Clothing (Paperback)

This book sticks pretty close to its avowed topic -- classic men's clothing. You won't find discussions of jeans and tee shirts in here, for instance. But you will find tons of great information on picking out quality "classic" clothing. That doesn't mean you wouldn't be able to find business casual clothes if you read this book, but it definitely leans more towards the dressy side of things.

The only real problem with the book is the lack of photos. They do a better job than some other books (I finally figured out the difference between herringbone and houndstooth!) but they don't have quite enough to help explain all of the many things they talk about. Just a few more photos could have pushed this book into the five star territory.

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Dispensable Guide, April 9, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Indispensable Guide to Classic Men's Clothing (Paperback)

This little book struck me as nothing more than the Cliffs Notes for the far more thorough and informed books by Alan Flusser and G. Bruce Boyer (both of whom are listed in the bibliography). In fact, I identified passages lifted almost verbatim from Flusser's works. As such, this book might function as a quick reference guide, but if you want real knowledge and insight into men's style, look to Flusser and Boyer.