Esquire Big Black Book: US or UK?

[thegreatgatsby]

I used to be a fan of the US Esquire BBB until UK Esquire launched last spring (and now the fall edition is on the stands).

Without exception, the US edition contains shallow-written essays, a dearth of pictures (especially of clothes I would covet or don), and too much emphasis on food/watches (some will take issue with this - but I don't know why food takes up nearly 15% of a magazine about men's style).

I find myself tossing the US BBB in the dust-bin after a cursory glance.

The British version is lavish, sexy, and chocked full of poignant/charming memoirs, glossy shots of sartorial splendor, and gives the reader an incentive to add it to his library.

The British do high-gloss magazines better than anyone --- but why the US edition of Big Black Book is an epic fail, year after year, I'm not sure.

 

[PhiloVance]

I stopped picking up the BBB sometime ago . Where did you find the UK edition? Sounds like it might be worth picking up.

 

[thegreatgatsby]

If you're in the US - you can get it from Barnes and Noble (some of them).

I order my copy on line.

Here's a link to the Esquire site (issue specific): http://www.esquire.co.uk/magazine/article/4835/esquires-big-black-book-is-back/


In the new issue, there's a number of "What I've Learned" style interviews (the Tom Ford is priceless).

Profiles on Zegna (wool manufacturing), as well as bespoke shirtmakers are worth the price of admission.

 

[MZhammer]

The BBB in the US is trash. the only mens magazine I read anymore is the Rake. I'd like to take a look at the UK version though.

 

[Cant kill da Rooster]

I've been getting the UK edition on my ipad for about a year. It is much better than the US version.

 

[thegreatgatsby]

The maiden voyage of the US BBB in 2006 (and 2007) was an auspicious one.

I held on to the early issues, but anything after 2008 is hacky, dandy, and (almost) insulting.

There's one particularly atrocious layout of real blue collar fisherman dressed in sweaters that cost more than their fishing vessels, and wearing $50,000 watches (I think the irony of the spread is lost on the editors).

If you go back to 2006-2008, you'll be treated to the promise of the magazine before it became the showcase for the urban lumberjack-turned-Williamsburg-trad-hipster.