Definitive "Books on Menswear" Thread

[unbelragazzo]

Don't worry, I have not forgotten about this thread. Will revisit soon and organize the list, as well as provide links to purchase on Amazon. It's probably a stretch to think that I'll be able to actually read all of them, but I will gather enough info to classify each, and probably read many of the ones that I haven't already.

 

[dieworkwear]

We look forward to your literature review. Please include feminist, Marxist, and liberal critiques of each school of thought (Flusserian, Roetzelian, Amiesian, etc), and draft everything in LaTeX so things can be more easily referenced.

 

[unbelragazzo]

Ha, I did think it was particularly appropriate for an academic to be in charge of the bibliography

 

[unbelragazzo]

OK, OP has been updated.

 

[ShayaEXQT]

Exactly what I'm looking for... Thank SF

 

[DocHolliday]

Personally, I wouldn't call Gentleman's Guide a textbook -- more a lifestyle catalog. I'd classify it as "Weekend Reading."

 

[unbelragazzo]

Yea actually I agree with you...will change later, on my phone now.

 

[LA Guy]

This is awesome. Bruce Boyer's Rebel Style is probably among my favorite, but all good reads. I need to ask J about the direct affiliate link code, but otherwise, we have Vigilinks running. Thanks guys.

 

[unbelragazzo]

Also, for those interested, looks like Will has a couple of issues of Apparel Arts up in his store now. A cool $425 each.

 

[johnvw]

Much praise to OP and to others who have contributed to the great idea that is this thread. Question: Does anyone think Dress for Success by John Molloy has a place in the History of Menswear section? If the concept could be expanded to include websites, I believe www.blacktieguide.com would be of great use to those seriously interested in formal wear.

 

[unbelragazzo]

Thanks, John. I considered the website question for a while and ended up deciding to just exclude any other websites or forums. Tutee's stuff on LL is great, blacktieguide.com is great, but then do we include asuitablewardrobe and putthison too? Link to SF threads that are particularly informative? Maybe it's just a copout not to have to go through much stuff and make editorial decisions, but I think there's so much out there online, and a lot of it is well-linked on this forum generally, that I just wanted to narrow the focus of this thread to information that's done in a book format.

The Molloy book looks very specifically business-oriented, almost like a career counseling book rather than a style book. Is that true? I remember I looked at it before and didn't put it on the list for some reason, maybe that was it. It could be I was just tired of putting in links. What's your experience with this book, John?

 

[AeroCarl]

Much praise to OP and to others who have contributed to the great idea that is this thread. Question: Does anyone think Dress for Success by John Molloy has a place in the History of Menswear section? If the concept could be expanded to include websites, I believe www.blacktieguide.com would be of great use to those seriously interested in formal wear.

I was actually thinking the same thing for both suggestions. I haven't read Dress for Success all the way through, but it does seem to be a nice snapshot of men's style and from what I've heard was very influential at the time of its release.

Blacktieguide.com is one hell of a tome, if you can call it that. After reading through the guide, I e-mailed the author (Peter Marshall) thanking him for his work and contribution to the world of sartorial knowledge. Back in April (after replying to my original e-mail), I received another e-mail from him saying that he was thinking of using my feedback in a proposal he was making for a print version of Black Tie Guide and wanted to know my location to get an idea of the geographical range of its readers.
Now, just to be clear, I don't know if a print version is actually in works - only that Mr. Marshall was making a proposal for it at one point. I don't know what the current status is, so don't dance a jig just yet.

 

[Lord Mulberry]

The Perfectly Dressed Gentleman by Robert O'Byrne. Written with humour but offers practical advice on dressing for everyday and specific occasions and describes how clothes should fit.

 

[unbelragazzo]

^thanks for the story about BTG, AeroCarl. I'm adding the Molloy and the O'Byrne books.

 

[TheTukker]

Great thread! I think Derek has already listed this, but still: