ESPN's Best-Dressed Analyst

Everyone here knows how awfully most ESPN commentators dress: oversized jackets, loud color schemes, HUGE tie knots, etc. The GQ blog just posted about ESPN analyst Jesse Palmer. He used to play for the Giants, and apparently was on "The Bachelor" for one season (didn't realize that before). The dude has a very StyleForum-approved wardrobe: MTM Zegna suits and shirts, spread collars, RLBL ties with four-in-hand knots, TV-fold pocket squares, and Barker Black Stratons. He says he owns 35 suits from Zegna. Wish I had that kind of money. Good read:

Over the years, we've razzed our friends at ESPN—on more than a few occasions—about some of their sartorial choices (memo to Tom Jackson: wearing those cut away–collar, chocolate-brown dress shirts designed by Michael Irvin back in the day—not a good move). But we gotta give credit where credit is due. Have you seen Jesse Palmer lately? The guy's looking so sharp that we're wondering whether our Creative Director, Jim Moore, hasn't been moonlighting in Bristol on game-day Saturdays.

If you read the magazine, you know that Moore preaches a certain style of dress. And Palmer, one of the network's college football analysts, couldn't be a better example of it: dark, narrow tie (but not too skinny!), semi-spread collar (an icy blue or pale pink shirt always work well), a crisp white pocket square (check out any number of GQ covers over the past year, from Justin Timberlake to LeBron James), and a trim-fitting peak-lapel suit (Palmer's actually one step ahead on this one; keep your eyes open for a fashion story on peak-lapel suits in the upcoming December Men of the Year issue). The former New York Giants backup QB, and star of The Bachelor, got on the phone with us to talk specs on his wardrobe. We have to admit, he's even more...GQ than we expected: Height: 6'2" Weight: 225 Suits: "I wear a 44 Regular, and I get them custom made at the Zegna flagship on Fifth Avenue. I have a hard time buying off the rack because my dimensions are so jacked up." What's up with the peak lapels? "I started wearing skinny ties, and most of my suits were notch-lapel, and they were just wider. They weren't syncing up with the width of the ties. So, with the suits, I wanted to go for a more European look with higher arm holes." Number of Zegna suits he owns: "At least thirty-five—cotton ones, linen, cashmere blends; I even have some velvet ones! I stepped out of bounds a bit a few years ago, when velvet blazers were kind of the thing." Ties: "Alexander Olch or Ralph Black Label. I'll go to Bergdorf Goodman and buy them." Shirts: "Also custom made by Zegna. I've got a 17 1/2–inch football player neck. I haven't lost that yet." Favorite pair of shoes: "A pair of cognac-colored Barker Black brogues. They've got the little skull and crown on the toe. They're really cool."

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http://www.gq.com/blogs/the-q/2009/1...d-on-espn.html

And yet Steve Philips gets all the hot chicks. Go figure.

Originally Posted by ZON_JR

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And yet Steve Philips gets all the hot chicks. Go figure.

Definitely not. His most recent was far from "hot."



http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/...t_network.html

Originally Posted by VikingsFan82

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Everyone here knows how awfully most ESPN commentators dress: oversized jackets, loud color schemes, HUGE tie knots, etc.

I wouldn't lump most ESPN commentators with the sports crowd we usually bash here (think NFL on Fox). Many dress pretty well, on the conservative side etc. Fowler, Herbstreit, Patrick when he was there etc. Not exceptional generally but pretty good.

For that matter, a number of the NFL peeps have improved of late- non-matchy squares, better fits, ties...

Lou Holtz dresses surprisingly well, IMO. I don't like Herbstreit's shirt collars, but he otherwise dresses fairly well.

Originally Posted by VikingsFan82

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Definitely not. His most recent was far from "hot."

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/...t_network.html
Whooosh.

Originally Posted by VikingsFan82

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Definitely not. His most recent was far from "hot."

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/...t_network.html

You're with me leather.

the best part is how charles barkley just let his latest scandal slide off his portly figure and went right back to work...

espn seems to have a very short leash on its employees.

Archie Manning is the best dressed I've seen...Jesse Palmer is not bad, however.

Palmer must be losing some of his "17 1/2 inch football players neck". His shirt collar is too large and there's that little peak above the knot. I don't like it.

Otherwise it looks pretty decent for a sports analyst.

Originally Posted by VikingsFan82

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Definitely not. His most recent was far from "hot."

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/...t_network.html

Glad you got the joke.

Originally Posted by VikingsFan82

Click to expand...

Definitely not. His most recent was far from "hot."

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/...t_network.html

jeeeze. he lost his job and what is left of his family for that? dude has a serious problem, and i am not just talking about his eyesight.

I was going to say Jesse Palmer, he always looks really sharp.

Tiki Barber always looks good. A little google-searching reveals his stuff is also Zegna MTM.

Most Sports Analysts are dressing better on all the channels. I dont think they should dress like the money men with a sixties swank. The GQ editor may, like too many people in the fashion industry, feel the need to make a profound, generalized (and yet subjective) stand.

Sports analysts are not in a conservative industry, do not need to fit in, do not need to compensate for a lack of masculinity and look good in color. Also, they are playing to a demographic that is currently impressed with individuality.