Style and the Man: How and Where to Buy Fine Mens' Clothes Reviews

• This book is over-rated and misleading

  
  By on 1999-10-03
  Somehow Flusser has managed to win acclaim for a book that is one-half tourist guide for only the rich and famous (where to buy fine clothes in Milan, etc, which is useless to most of us)and one-half a pompous, overly opinionated instruction-manual on tailored clothing. The instruction in this part is useful, but it's not worth the price of the book. Take away the travel guide and then clip away Flusser's dreadfully affected, ornate writing manner, and the total amount of instruction here on men's clothing boils down to about 50 pages. As for those 50 pages: they are good for providing basic information about tailored clothing, but they are nearly ruined by overly rigid sartorial rules. Flusser, who seems to have an unwarrantedly high opinon of himself, judging from his pronoucements, does not tell the reader that many of his judgments are not shared by everyone. This is a crime against the reader who buys Flusser's book as an objective guide to men's clothing and doesn't realize it's one very opinionated man's view. And some of these views are questionable to say the least. This book should be read with caution, and in conjunction with other, less opinionated books for those who are interested in men's tailored clothing. Also, a lot of this book is historical, and Flusser has no list of reference books in the back to tell the reader where he gets his info. from.
  
  

• An ageing shopping guide for dandies

  
  By on 2002-10-10
  If you're seeking information on how to tell fine menswear from bad, skip this book and go directly to Flusser's new one.

  If you're a would-be dandy looking for information on where to buy men's furnishings around the world, buy the book (with a minor caution). Many of the stores in the U.S. have relocated and some have closed.

  On the other hand, I've used it to find choices in London and Paris that I would never have known about otherwise. And once you've made the initial investment in the measurements, you can patronize many of these establishments by telephone.

  A number of earlier reviews criticise Flusser for focusing on the finest quality and most expensive clothing in the world. It is, and he does. But for people who do or want to play that game, it's still the best source of information.
  
  

• A guide for all of us...

  
  By ATG9GIKHAZWIG on 2000-02-01
  While it's true that Flusser's book contains a guide to some of the most expensive menswear in the world, it's silly to downgrade the book for that reason. By telling you about suit construction, Flusser makes it possible to buy good cloths inexpensively by showing you what to look for. Admittedly the second part of this book is a guide to "the best" available, but it's still interesting to read and instructional even if I'll never buy a suit in Milan (and I won't).
  
  

• Dated yet still relevant

  
  By A74TZ4EQKPEL on 2005-01-02
  As noted by many reviewers, the clothing fact information is first rate.
  
  The second part of the book on shopping and retail establishments is so out of date in 2005 that I really question whether a purchase is worthwhile if retailer information is primary purpose of proposed purchase. A good 60% of the information on establishments in the US and London is totally outdated or the stores have gone out of business.
  
  Try the library or borrowing from a friend to see if any of the desired information is still relevant before purchasing. This book needs a serious update.
  
  

• Terrible

  
  By on 2003-06-07
  What if you live outside of New York? This book isn't applicable for anyone outside "The City." Buy a book from John Bridges instead.
  
  
• Source of Valuable Men's Clothing Information
  By A2H144RT7IBO4N on 2001-08-22
  As other reviewers have noted, this book is really two books. One is a guide to the style of fine men's clothes, the other tells where to buy them. Most people will probably find the style information in the beginning the most useful part.

  One reviewer thought that the author left out certain points of view on style issues. It is true, for example, that the author recommends only the four-in-hand tie knot, and not the questionable half-Windsor. I think that he makes a good case for the four-in-hand being better looking, anyway. You certainly won't go wrong following the author's conservative clothing advice.

  There is good information on wearing difficult clothes properly, such as the bow tie, handkerchief, etc. The book also describes how to buy clothes and judge their quality.

  I think that the style information could be expanded and spun-off into its own book. The shopping information could stand on its own as a travel guide quite well. I would reccommend this book, however. It seems to be the best of its kind.
  
  

• Overrated book
  By AGMKFWUQEEZUQ on 2003-05-21
  I bought this book a year ago, mainly because of its high ratings. But I was disappointed. I read it once and I found the style of writing outdated and the content not so useful: many addresses where you should buy things, but how useful is that? I don't live nearby these places, and I want to learn WHY you should buy certain things so that I can decide for myself what is good to buy and what not. Such info is given only very briefly.
  
  
• Outdated sure, but still relevant
  By ATJE929ETFFNH on 2006-04-10
  This book, published in 1996 and half of which is a directory of shops, was bound to be outdated months after publication much less ten years after, as it is now. Hence the four stars instead of five.
  
  Given that, the first part of the book is crammed with a precis or summary of Flusser's recommendations that he has used several hundred pages to expound in his other books ('Clothes And The Man', 'Dressing The Man') and makes the book worth the (used) book price.
  
  I do not understand others who warn against this book because they think it is not objective enough! This is a book written by Flusser so of course you will get his subjective view. Had it been written by a committee of tailors, well then, I would expect a more balanced view, but it is not. It is up to the intelligent reader to understand they are getting a product of one man's opinion and then proceed accordingly.
  
  
• Fasion, Fops, Faux Pas
  By on 1999-12-17
  I have to agree with the previous reviewer. This book is more like the cliff notes to a book about men's fashion, tradition, style, etc. The other half of the book is relatively useless - unless, of course, you're a millionaire & world traveller. The prose is humorous at times becasue it's so pretentious - bordering on the effeminate a la Niles Crane. Still, there are some very imporatnt basice male fashion rules established by history and tradition, discussed in this book, which one wishes were adhered to more regularly. The first half of the book is serviceable, but not authoritative. Flusser comes off somewhat foppish and the picture of him on the dustjacket would lead me to question his taste in, if nothing else, haircuts! I would consider a better book, with far more lavish detail and illustrations to be "Gentlemen : A Timeless Fashion", only recently published.
  
  
• The men's garment bible
  By A2E1QWISA5PTBG on 2001-05-21
  Got to say this book rocks. Flusser writes in detail about all major components of a man's attire. He explains how to recognize a well made shirt, what makes a custom made shoe worthwhile and how to choose the right suit among others. Also others here have commented on the author's choice to include stores to buy fine mens wear as a detriment to the book. I kind of like it. I work in Manhattan and it's nice to have a (biased) view on what stores have what and the general flavor of the store. He of course lists the easily recognizable Madison Ave shops but he does have some select shops that specialize in specic things like shoes, cufflinks etc. Of course all these shops are pricey but some are not totally outrageous. This is not the book for those looking to skimp and save on garments but a book for those who want to be able recognize the best and consequently get a value for their money.
  
  
• Expert to the experts
  By A1YRM7XY0CPEZQ on 2001-09-10
  It's true there's too much of the book devoted to cities most of us will never visit. It's true that his first book (Clothes and the Man) was better. But it's also true that you must have this book for the definitive answer on dressing.

  I have numerous other books on style, and almost all of them reference Flusser at one point or another. You have to get the words straight from the horse's mouth. And even the shop reviews are good. You're likely to visit at least *one* of these cities in your life, right? Besides that, in this day and age stores have legs. The analyses of NY Barneys and Brooks Brothers easily translate. If you have any interest in dressing well and classic style, you really need this book above any other. And it looks great on your shelf.
  
  

• FLUSSER'S LATEST IS A MUST READ
  By on 1997-04-04
  Alan Flusser's latest book is a must read for men who wearclothes (and the women who may buy them). Flusser, a renowned expert,respected designer and prolific writer on men's apparel, opens with a discussion of what to wear, from casual dressing to formalwear, without missing a step in between. He has a definite point of view on men's fashion, favoring traditional English-style clothing rooted in the Anglo-American traditions of the 1930's and 1940's, but also recognizes different tastes. He then takes the reader on a city-by-city shopping tour of the best men's stores around the world. He reviews a number of stores in each major city, describing the shopping experience and the merchandise and highlighting the unique or noteworthy items which distinguish each store. If you buy only one book on men's clothing, make it this one.
  
  
• great guide
  By A36FT0RS2E33KN on 2002-07-19
  A bit dated ( 1996) at this point, but still good. Looking forward to his updated version for Fall 2002.
  
  
• Great, if limited
  By A2VA15ECLG7CDE on 2000-05-08
  Flusser is the second best writer on clothes (Boyer is the best) and the most knowledgeable. This is a very good book, whose only shortcoming is a lack of information. The first sections are shorter than I would have liked them, and the subsequent sections, though fascinating reading, are of limited usefulness to anyone who is not a rich globetrotter.

  Still, there is a lot of great info in those shop descriptions, but you have to glean it all out. An index would have been welcome.

  All told: clothing is about taste, and Flusser's taste is the best in the world, bar none. He has more than earned his position as arbiter of men's dress.
  
  

• A wonderful companion and extension of Clothes and the Man
  By on 1999-08-16
  Mr. Flusser once again demonstrates his sartorial knowledge with another wonderful book. Knowing where to go for fine mens clothing is as big a problem as knowing what a man should wear. Mr Flusser updates the principles he set down in Clothes and The Man and tells us where to fine many of the items a well dressed man should have. From suits to scarves, glasses to cufflinks its all here in this book.
  
  
• Self-respecting men should read this
  By on 1998-04-02
  Alan Flusser's latest book is a must read for any man who wants to look good. Flusser is occasionally insufferably stuffy, but what he has to say about quality and fit in men's tailored clothes is well-reasoned and well-presented. He makes a strong case for a classic but not dowdy wardrobe of high-quality clothes that could make any man look and feel good, and he reviews the various places in major cities around the world where one could go about constructing it. He really doesn't deal with casual/sport clothes very well, but most men probably don't need him to -- there is vastly more confusion about a suit and tie than there is about a polo shirt and chinos.
  
  
• You can safely judge this book by its jacket.
  By A1QQYZCL68DQRN on 1998-07-25
  I am rarely satisfied with either the initial or second fitting of a bespoke suit; time,patience and the cultivation of a rapport with one's tailor must be sought if the finished article is to be worthy of appreciation.Alan Flusser's Style and the Man must be treated likewise.This is a book worth visiting time and again prior to any clothes shopping expedition. Mr Flusser takes us on a stroll across the aged wooden floors of Savile Row to the elegant marble of Milan, and somewhere in between finds the time to advise on how,what and more importantly when certain items of clothing should be worn.Style and the Man replaces the highly expensive and Victorian need of employing a man servant.Thank you Mr Flusser. George Montgomery. 100452.3353@compuserve.com Hong Kong S.A.R. China
  
  
• Excellent Resource
  By A2FZJYRNO8FD6K on 2000-09-14
  Fashion changes, basic elements of style do not. Flusser's book is a wonderful resource for the style-conscious man in today's professional work environment. The sections on determing quality in suits and shoes and on selecting and purchashing a complementary wardrobe are invaluable. I agree with the other reviewers that the retailer section is of little to no use except to the very wealthy. However, I don't agree that the fitting and wearing sections are short on information. A thinking adult doesn't need to be spoonfed everything. Flusser's book provides a thorough grounding in how to select clothing to make you look good, and the rest is left up to the individual.
  
  
• FOR THOSE WHO LIKE ONLY THE BEST !
  By A1CSY3ZIF0M3T5 on 2001-05-02
  MR.FLUSSER IS A MAN OF STYLE AND CLASSICAL ELEGANCE...

  IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A BOOK WHICH WILL TAKE YOU INTO A JOURNEY AMONG THE BEST - AND MOST EXPENSIVE- BRANDS AND SHOPS OF MEN'SWEAR, DON'T HESITATE BUY IT !
  
  

• mostly for collectors
  By A3DCNC90MS4HVE on 2007-03-30
  I enjoyed A.F.'s other books enough to buy this one, although it is not nearly as practical. The sections on where to buy clothes are not only out of date by now, they are also designed for people who have far more money than most. Actually, I don't know why this book was published originally since, if you have the money to shop at these stores, you probably already know about them. It almost seems like a matter of credentialing, but who knows.
  
  I would buy one of A.F.'s other books if you are just looking for a men's clothing guide. However, if the subject matter really interests you, you will find that each of A.F.'s books covers much of the same ground, but in slightly different ways, so that there is value in reading all of them, including this one.
  
  

• Dressing the Man: Mastering the Art of Permanent Fashion
• The Suit: A Machiavellian Approach to Men's Style
• Clothes and the Man: The Principles of Fine Men's Dress
• The Indispensable Guide to Classic Men's Clothing
• Gentleman: A Timeless Fashion