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New G. Bruce Boyer Book on Fred Astaire

Mark Seitelman

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G. Bruce Boyer, our best writer on classic clothes and style, has written a new book called "Fred Astaire Style". It is published by Assouline, and it due out in April.

I am looking very forward to it, and my order is in for a few copies.
 

STYLESTUDENT

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My own style icon for many years, but with so many eccentric touches that he's dangerous to imitate (e.g. bright socks and short pants that say "look at my feet"; ties as belts;and how often have you ever seen brown suede bluchers with gray flannel-no, not suede wingtips or captoes-bluchers or even spectators). Still, it's interesting that Boyer is writing about Astaire while other style icons are hardly remembered (sorry, Adolphe Menjou). Astaire had a long career and was in a great many movies. He dressed alike in all of them and never changed his style over the years. His clothes did not show that much variation either (gray flannel and either a blue-white striped tie or a solid gray one) and Fred usually dressed just like Fred. The movies were also about style itself and movement and how Fred's "American" style always triumphed over effete foreigners in spats. Another reason (more popular on Ask Andy than here) was that Brooks itself  "americanized" British style in the '50s and '60s (to be followed by Ralph Lauren) but was careful to remind you of its "aristocratic" British roots in the advertising-e.g. the long-point buttondown "Polo" shirt worn by Fred. Fred's combination of Anderson & Sheppard and Brooks fits right in (but these days, all "milord's" clothes just happen to be made in a factory in southeast Asia). Snicker at all these supposedly forgotten snobberies, unless you're Ralph Lauren's bank account. Anyway, I probably should have just thanked "Son of Brummell" for the tip on the book instead of trying to write it myself.
biggrin.gif
 

Etruscan

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Fred Astaire was the embodiment of style, on and off screen, for more than a generation and indeed is still a worthy model. And while others may disapprove, when occasionally in the summer months I don a tie as a belt, I do so in homage to him.

Thanks for letting us know about the book.
 

Smooth Jazz

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Very much looking forward to it as well. Boyer is a talented writer, and the photos of Astaire in Flusser's latest are phenomenal. Anyone here have their shirts monogrammed on the left sleeve?
You know -- ever since I saw that photo of FA dressing in Flusser's book I have been wanting to get my shirts monogrammed that way but have never managed to actually get myself to do it. It looks awesome.

I will mention, however, that I do not get my shirts monogrammed.
 

Steve B.

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Bruce is a truly great guy, and I'd buy any book he wrote.

Thanks for the heads-up. Can't wait to see it.

MG's trigger finger is itching, I know it is.

Kinko's here he comes...
 

chorse123

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Same here. I think it's better for shirts always worn with a coat (less obvious, less likely to be seen), but perhaps too blatant without one. Then again, I'd be unlikely to have any shirt visibly monogrammed if I were to wear it without a coat.
 

Renault78law

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(chorse123 @ Feb. 10 2005,03:08) Very much looking forward to it as well. Boyer is a talented writer, and the photos of Astaire in Flusser's latest are phenomenal. Anyone here have their shirts monogrammed on the left sleeve?
You know -- ever since I saw that photo of FA dressing in Flusser's book I have been wanting to get my shirts monogrammed that way but have never managed to actually get myself to do it. Â It looks awesome. Â I will mention, however, that I do not get my shirts monogrammed.
Is that the one where he's tying his tie? I love that picture. I've been looking for a print ever since.
 

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