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Definitive "Books on Menswear" Thread

RJman

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Got Swan Songs by @RJman which finally jump kicked what I've been meaning to do for a while and that's to look into the history of clothing and the cultures and attitudes that accompany them.

If I wanted to know how clothes were made in certain time periods (say 18th and 19th century America), how would I go about that? Are there any books like that or is it all in the dusty avenues of academia?

Just really interested in trends, manufacturing, and attitudes toward clothing in certain time periods, in this case 1800ish-1950ish America. Though I'm not against learning other countries as well.
Thanks for your kind words. As to your question, there are definitely books about that but they might be out of print. I feel like I've seen some mentioned, perhaps through things like Amazon suggestions, but also in some of the bibliographies of more general books about clothing. Some of the more in-depth books about American clothing brands and fashions might cite books of this nature, which could give you names to search in libraries and on bookfinder.com. You could also check vintage clothing sites and makers' sites (is the cutter and tailor forum still around?).
 

Gus

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This is an enjoyable book - "Nishiguchi's Closet". Many of you will know him from his posts on IG which tend to be more tailored. This book (In Japanese but multiple photos on every page) has a mix of outfits made up of classic tailored pieces combined with sportswear, military, denim and a wide variety of shoes, boots and accessories. You'll also recognize most of the brands as Polo, Smedley, Levis, Beams, etc. are represented.


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RJman

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This is an enjoyable book - "Nishiguchi's Closet". Many of you will know him from his posts on IG which tend to be more tailored. This book (In Japanese but multiple photos on every page) has a mix of outfits made up of classic tailored pieces combined with sportswear, military, denim and a wide variety of shoes, boots and accessories. You'll also recognize most of the brands as Polo, Smedley, Levis, Beams, etc. are represented.


View attachment 1747500 View attachment 1747502
Apologies if this has already been discussed, Gus, but have you read Nishiguchi Essentials? It's Shohei's 100 favorite garments/accessories and why he likes them. Very fun, even if some of the items can only be pulled off by a slim, youthful, good-looking guy in the fashion industry...
 
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pwbower

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Got Swan Songs by @RJman which finally jump kicked what I've been meaning to do for a while and that's to look into the history of clothing and the cultures and attitudes that accompany them.

If I wanted to know how clothes were made in certain time periods (say 18th and 19th century America), how would I go about that? Are there any books like that or is it all in the dusty avenues of academia?

Just really interested in trends, manufacturing, and attitudes toward clothing in certain time periods, in this case 1800ish-1950ish America. Though I'm not against learning other countries as well.
I don't have any specific recommendations off the top of my head, but when I visited my city's central library, there as a whole section for fashion/costume studies, which had books studying clothing and fabric from a sociological/historical lense. I'd go browse!
 

Gus

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I'm enjoying this new book (thank you @RJman for the suggestion) by Nishiguchi. Unlike his other book, one page focuses on one item and the adjoining page is his description in Japanese and English about the piece, what attracted him to it, how he wears it, etc. I enjoy his perspective. I ordered this on Amazon.


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Enfusia

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Fantastic contribution, thank you!
I've read many, but not even half. Looks like I need to get busy.
 

Anachronist

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Two coffee table books I have much enjoyed were „I Am Dandy“ and „We Are Dandy“. They both obviously leave safe territory for the world of more rakish dress, but the stories and opinions of the portrayed gentleman across the globe are often very interesting to read.
 

Adsky Luck

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T. Fink and Yong Mao's book 85 Ways to Tie a Tie
Interesting but could be out of print now

Fink also wrote Man's Book, and while it's not about menswear per say (aka per se) there is a section on clothing.

image-asset.jpeg

Even discusses some less common aspects of dressing at some point
AVvXsEgZjP8qEi7cdsyw_Vu0NfkBMFIXE-tdeGPqVzX4fSxTUO4ysKYmC0KTxlo3Qq0bVmCfqY0L7FXkj372a1x8dAjl4kOW7rIavN5A004pvQF6DvcTMKyHgd1nNGhM7T9WRAz4rwd-8IyZm6RMogyzRWU7CqVxgwRb4yBOIdOSnHM-fl3Y31AEHcnEq5dP=s946
 
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RJman

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T. Fink and Yong Mao's book 85 Ways to Tie a Tie
Interesting but could be out of print now

Fink also wrote Man's Book, and while it's not about menswear per say (aka per se) there is a section on clothing.

image-asset.jpeg

Even discusses some less common aspects of dressing at some point

AVvXsEgZjP8qEi7cdsyw_Vu0NfkBMFIXE-tdeGPqVzX4fSxTUO4ysKYmC0KTxlo3Qq0bVmCfqY0L7FXkj372a1x8dAjl4kOW7rIavN5A004pvQF6DvcTMKyHgd1nNGhM7T9WRAz4rwd-8IyZm6RMogyzRWU7CqVxgwRb4yBOIdOSnHM-fl3Y31AEHcnEq5dP=s946
The 85 Ways is a jewel of a book. Actor, author and personality Stephen Fry recently published Fry's Ties, a catalog and memoir of the interesting tie's he's owned over the years, along with a few interesting knots. It's entertaining, although now functions as a sort of eulogy to the various high street and Jermyn Street shops where he bought most of them, since those have all either gone out of business or changed their business models.
 

RJman

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PS: I just ordered L'Italie et ses volcans, a memoir about admitted panderer and bespoke tailor Francesco Smalto. Should be interesting in the vein of Philippe Tretiack's Arnys et moi.
 

Adsky Luck

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Here is my copy of the seminal book on classic menswear.

AVvXsEiTT1db4HjdBuxQ7yY2Ied7wLuukGABjwZXhA7DFuRzjK1OzzoK9R0wAoFJupb5cA-nLjxJBZZo-8bRNORxk8E5dS3ZrIjzYZpWVaHXTVmAq-4ewmnk4SkiGz6KZtCs_--E-MIWh7S3AiNybLwTXWocOZpRd302gjR238AMuM7oYWdZGyucLlK9EW-y=s5472


First and Last (ever?) edition.


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Much thumbed and dogeared.

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As you can see though much of the sartorial wisdom therein contained appears to have been wasted here.

AVvXsEg6Tr9sN6NpE2ltW32rCBLxmqGtYjJoLf_fTlF_VkEBRyqMnVZEheQtyee_gtZb21xfq9kuySOvDUUIyB1JH7NZK0anQrOjUc4DbSeB3deQdnwBGS8FH8Ay8gw4nkrMGpZ062bCnz0q_B7RcBT4wZTFbBKr2sdjh5pvdyn4D3AFSbA94jKw6Lq6-DrB=s5472
 

RJman

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Sofi Thanhauser's new book Worn is really good. I'm embedding her discussion with Avery Trufelman below



Is that the one Guzelin Ondiese contributed to? j/k just ordered it on your recommendation
 

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