Mr. Sartorial

putthison: * Photo taken from JohnsNotHere Standard.

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 06:05:58 -0600

* Photo taken from JohnsNotHere

Standard.

On the Matter of a "Style Bible"

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:59:47 -0600

Spring is in the air! How can I tell? Because it’s that time of year when every men’s fashion mag tarts up a special edition with some glossy photos and trots out their version of a style manual. They all call it different things: GQ’s Style Bible, Esquire’s Black Book, Sharp’s Manual. I’m not going to blame them. After all, they need to make some revenue, and nothing makes an account executive’s mouth water like a special edition that can be packed with advertisements right when it’s time to push the new collections.

Here’s the thing though: People have been reading the Bible for thousands of years, and we all know that none of these manuals are going to have that sort of longevity, right? No, of course not, because otherwise you wouldn’t need to buy the one that comes out next year!

So if it doesn’t bother me that they are making a huge buck off of these things, I guess it has to be the fact that they generally claim to be “manuals” or “bibles” when they contain barely enough text to fill the back of a postcard with (in all fairness, Esquire does put on more of a show). I should know; I’ve bought each and every single one of them.

See, the allure of the style manual is strong for men’s fashion fanatics, and we can’t help ourselves but buy the next one no matter how bad they have all been (I finally broke this habit at the sight of Sharp’s laughable Autumn/Winter edition.

Now, I’m posting this in anticipation of GQs so-called “Style Bible” to arrive this April and, to be fair, I haven’t seen it yet. However based on their last attempt. a pamphlet sized affair that cost me $15 and mostly contained reused photos from previous issues, I’m not holding my breath.

So what’s a bloke to do when he’s looking for something with more substance? A real “style bible”? Well, the closest thing I’ve ever come across (and I have looked long and hard), would have to be Andy Gilchrist’s Encyclopedia of Men’s Clothes complemented by the Esquire “Handbook of Style”. They aren’t going to teach you the ins and outs of the latest fashion trends, but they give the greatest foundation to traditional men’s clothing that I think any man could hope for without having to do any real work, so go check them out.

As for this upcoming GQ Style Bible? Well, don’t worry, I’ll have a look for all of you as soon as I can to let you know if it’s worth your time or not. I’m not trying to do you a favour or anything. I just can’t help myself.

- Mr. S

If you want to comment on this article, head on over to my website at www.mrsartorial.com.

That’s a nice first timer bag I think. You’ll take...

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:59:36 -0600

That’s a nice first timer bag I think. You’ll take it everywhere.

cbenjamin:

downeastandout:

Mismo M/S Explorer weekender in Army canvas. Agyesh is such a tease

Part duffle, part weekender. Too trill

I don’t think I like what he’s wearing at all, but I...

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:57:37 -0600

I don’t think I like what he’s wearing at all, but I dig the photo. My eyes get lost in that floor.

Sorry. What were you saying?

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:54:50 -0600

Sorry. What were you saying?

gqfashion: Your Morning Shot: Hunter S. Thompson “I have a...

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:48:01 -0600

gqfashion:

Your Morning Shot: Hunter S. Thompson

“I have a theory that the truth is never told during the nine-to-five hours.”

- Hunter S. Thompson

Love this new Slattery photo. Modern classic. Can’t wait...

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:44:50 -0600

Love this new Slattery photo. Modern classic. Can’t wait for the new issue.

I little too busy, I think.

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:19:21 -0600

I little too busy, I think.

Nice detail. A lot of worn sweaters and shirts I’m looking...

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 09:05:57 -0700

Nice detail. A lot of worn sweaters and shirts I’m looking at throwing patches on very soon.

urbanemenswear: Tommy Ton in rich browns Fight back against...

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 09:04:39 -0700

urbanemenswear:

Tommy Ton in rich browns

Fight back against winter with colour.

I like pretty much everything about this.

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:12:27 -0700

I like pretty much everything about this.

whereisthecoool: \ Sweet contrasting welt and laces.

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:26:44 -0700

whereisthecoool:

\

Sweet contrasting welt and laces.

There’s such thing as too much, and this is it. Looks like...

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:21:55 -0700

There’s such thing as too much, and this is it. Looks like Lebron borrowed a spare set of sleeves from Wade’s jacket.

gqfashion:

Dwyane Wade and LeBron James: dandy dream team or fashion foul?

Photo

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:23:15 -0700

A really interesting blend of rugged and dressed up. Looks like...

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:16:40 -0700

A really interesting blend of rugged and dressed up. Looks like the workwear trend has made it’s mark.

urbanemenswear:

Ermenegildo Zenga had an incredibly solid fall/2012 show in Milan.

Great. As though I need another reason for girls to steal my...

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:30:00 -0700

Great. As though I need another reason for girls to steal my clothes. Guess I’ll have to start buying those cheap see-through cotton shirts.

Holiday Cheer.

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:37:16 -0700

Holiday Cheer.

A Little Early Christmas Present to Myself (Taken with...

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:42:10 -0700

A Little Early Christmas Present to Myself (Taken with instagram)

theartofboredom: It’s cuffing season. (Taken with...

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 23:54:51 -0700

theartofboredom:

It’s cuffing season. (Taken with instagram)

Winter Green.

beyondfabric: #5 - Roberu Leather Camera Strap @ End

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:52:42 -0700

beyondfabric:

#5 - Roberu Leather Camera Strap @ End