The Greatest Books About Style « Sharp – Canada's Magazine for Men

Sign up for the sharp insider, our email newsletter, and get a FREE DOWNLOAD of a past issue of Sharp The Book For Men.

May 2013

Gold-Award

Prev Next

Prev

Next

The Greatest Books About Style

<b>Book:</b> <i>Dressing the Man: Mastering the Art of Permanent Fashion</i> by Alan Fusser
<br></br>
<b>For:</b> The Style Newbie
<br></br>
<b>The Gist:</b> This book combines knowledge and wit to create the ultimate guide to dressing well for all-time, which hinges on the fashion pillars of proportion and colour.
<br></br>
<b>What You Can Learn From This:</b> Rather than remain a slave to passing trends, this guide will teach you how to dress your body and maintain a timeless look that is sure to impress everyone. You can never go wrong with the classics.
<br></br>
($65, <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Dressing-Man-Mastering-Art-Permanent-Alan-Flusser/9780060191443-item.html?ikwid=dressing+the+man&ikwsec=Home">Chapters Indigo</a>)

<b>Book:</b> <i>Style & the Man</i> by Alan Fusser
<br></br>
<b>For:</b> The Everyman
<br></br>
<b>The Gist:</b> This all-encompassing guide to dressing well contains a wealth of information on everything from the cost of clothing to the dos and don'ts of fashion.
<br></br>
<b>What You Can Learn From This:</b> With its exhaustive wealth of information, it's hard to pinpoint just one thing you'll learn from this book. Instead, it is sure to transform you from fashion novice to style expert.
<br></br>
($17, <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Style-and-the-Man-Alan-Flusser/9780061976155-item.html?ikwid=style+and+the+man&ikwsec=Books">Chapters Indigo</a>)

<b>Book:</b> <i>The Perfect Gentleman</i>
by James Sherwood
<br></br>
<b>For:</b> The Gentleman (duh!)
<br></br>
<b>The Gist:</b> This exhaustive tome details the history of six periods in English fashion and delves deep into the world of the artisans who make fashion possible, honouring everyone from shoemakers to perfumers.
<br></br>
<b>What You Can Learn From This:</b> In addition to teaching you what it takes to dress like a gentleman, this generous text provides a reference section that will tell you where to go in order to rub elbows with the cream of the crop in the London social scene. It also teaches you that maybe it's time to move to England...
<br></br>
($70, <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/The-Perfect-Gentleman-James-Sherwood/9780500516317-item.html?ikwid=the+perfect+gentleman&ikwsec=Books">Chapters Indigo</a>)

<b>Book:</b> <i>Bespoke: The Men's Style of Savile Row</i>
by James Sherwood
<br></br>
<b>For:</b> The Lover of Perfect Tailoring
<br></br>
<b>The Gist:</b> This gorgeously illustrated guide to fine custom tailoring documents the history of the exclusive art of bespoke tailoring and offers twenty-six profiles of the current masters.
<br></br>
<b>What You Can Learn From This:</b> You don't get much more premium than having your suits custom-made, so this will serve as an excellent primer for what you need to know and who you need to go to in order to get the perfect bespoke suit.
<br></br>

($76, <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Bespoke-Mens-Style-Savile-Row-James-Sherwood-Tom-Ford/9780847834983-item.html?ikwid=bespoke+savile+row&ikwsec=Home">Chapters Indigo</a>)

<b>Book:</b> <i>Nordstrom Guide to Men's Style</i> by Tom Julian
<br></br>
<b>For:</b> The Suit & Tie Guy
<br></br>
<b>The Gist:</b> This generously illustrated handbook offers advice on how to wear and accessorize six key wardrobe items – suits, sport coats, trousers, shirts, ties, and tuxedos.
<br></br>
<b>What You Can Learn From This:</b> Perfect for any man working in finance or any similarly suited professions, this guide will tell you what you need to do to look your best in a corporate uniform.
<br></br>
($26, <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Nordstrom-Guide-Mens-Style-Hc/dp/0811868362/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363018613&sr=8-1">Amazon</a>)

<b>Book:</b> <i>The Suit: A Machiavellian Approach to Men's Style</i> by Nicholas Antongiavanni
<br></br>
<b>For:</b> The Overachiever
<br></br>
<b>The Gist:</b> This cleverly crafted book takes a philosophical approach to fashion with a very simple premise – gain power and success by dressing the part.
<br></br>
<b>What You Can Learn From This:</b> It will teach you to dress for success and its amusing dissection of public figures is sure to at least provide you with the basis for what not to wear to work.
<br></br>
($25, <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Suit-Machiavellian-Approach-Mens-Style-Nicholas-Antongiavanni/9780060891862-item.html?ikwid=the+suit%3a+a+machiavellian+&ikwsec=Books">Chapters Indigo</a>)

<b>Book:</b> <i>History of Men's Accessories: A Short Guide for Men About Town</i> by Nicholas Storey
<br></br>
<b>For:</b> The Refined Man (or at least the man who wants to be)
<br></br>
<b>The Gist:</b> From grooming to the drinks men love, this is a comprehensive guide to living the lifestyle of a man with a special focus on the accessories that enhance a man's look.
<br></br>
<b>What You Can Learn From This:</b> While it's great to know how to dress, sometimes we forget about the details. This book is sure to help you polish off your style with the accessories that will elevate you to a new level.
<br></br>
($40, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1844681157/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=gentsgaze-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1844681157&linkCode=as2&tag=gentsgaze-20#reader_B009EE1G4W">Amazon</a>)

<b>Book:</b> <i>Handmade Shoes for Men</i> by Lazlo Vass and Magda Molnar
<br></br>
<b>For:</b> The Kicks Aficionado
<br></br>
<b>The Gist:</b> This book takes a painstaking approach to chronicling the process of shoemaking and provides insight through its images and essays.
<br></br>
<b>What You Can Learn From This:</b> While it's often the last thing we put on, our shoes are just as important as anything else we wear so this book is sure to help us appreciate what goes into making them.
<br></br>
($27, <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Handmade-Shoes-For-Men-Lazlo-Vass-Magda-Molnar/9783833160455-item.html?ikwid=shoes+for+men&ikwsec=Books">Chapters Indigo</a>)

<b>Book:</b> <i>100 Years of Menswear</i> by Cally Blackman
<br></br>
<b>For:</b> The Historian
<br></br>
<b>The Gist:</b> Chronicling the evolution of men's style throughout the past 100 years, this tome features rare photographs and a slew of illustrations which is sure to please any lover of fashion.
<br></br>
<b>What You Can Learn From This:</b> Though not as progressive as our female counterparts, men's fashion has indeed changed over the years and perhaps there's something to be learned about the past mistakes and successes of our predecessors.
<br></br>
($50, <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/100-Years-Of-Menswear-Cally-Blackman/9781856696142-item.html?ikwid=100+years+of+menswear&ikwsec=Books">Chapters Indigo</a>)

<b>Book:</b> <i>Icons of Men's Style</i> by Josh Sims
<br></br>
<b>For:</b> The Trendsetter
<br></br>
<b>The Gist:</b> Placing the trend-setters and rule-breakers in the spotlight, this book breaks down the most influential style icons and offers an insightful background into the garments and designers that changed the world of men's fashion.
<br></br>
<b>What You Can Learn From This:</b> Aside from the obvious historical knowledge you'll receive from this text, <i>Icons of Men's Style</i> could very well inspire you to become the next great fashion icon.
<br></br>
($30, <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Icons-Of-Mens-Style-Josh-Sims/9781856697224-item.html?ikwid=icons+of+men%27s+style&ikwsec=Books">Chapters Indigo</a>)

<b>Book:</b> <i>American Fashion Menswear</i> by Robert E. Bryan
<br></br>
<b>For:</b> The All-American
<br></br>
<b>The Gist:</b> Focusing on our brothers across the border, this book takes a look at the American-made trends and styles in men's fashion over the past century.
<br></br>
<b>What You Can Learn From This:</b> This unique slice of Americana will offer a greater insight into what makes a quintessential All-American look.
<br></br>
($65, <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/American-Fashion-Menswear-Robert-E-Bryan/9782759404094-item.html?ikwid=american+fashion+menswear&ikwsec=Books">Chapters Indigo</a>)

<b>Book:</b> <i>The Day of the Peacock: Style for Men 1963-1973</i> by Geoffrey Aquilana Ross
<br></br>
<b>For:</b> The Retro Dresser
<br></br>
<b>The Gist:</b> The 1960s was a great time for fashion (especially if you lived in England) and this book is the ultimate love letter to the awe-inspiring style of the 'Swinging Sixties' London scene.
<br></br>
<b>What You Can Learn From This:</b> With icons like Mick Jagger and the Beatles leading the London scene from this time period, it'd be hard not to find inspiration in the always-fashionable '60s style.
<br></br>
($55, <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Day-Peacock-Style-Men-Geoffrey-Aquilana-Ross/9781851776009-item.html?ikwid=the+day+of+the+peacock&ikwsec=Books">Chapters Indigo</a>)

<b>Book:</b> <i>Vintage Menswear: A Collection from the Vintage Showroom</i> by Josh Sims, Roy Luckett and Douglas Gunn
<br></br>
<b>For:</b> The Vintage Aficionado
<br></br>
<b>The Gist:</b> Providing a rare look into the world of vintage fashion, this book features the one-of-a-kind garments which have shaped the landscape of men's fashion in the 20th century.
<br></br>
<b>What You Can Learn From This:</b> Chock-full of must-see menswear pieces, this book is less of a how-to and is more of an invaluable resource for knowledge and inspiration.
<br></br>
($57, <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Vintage-Menswear-Collection-Showroom/dp/1856698831/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363019364&sr=8-1">Amazon</a>)

<b>Book:</b> <i>ABC of Men's Fashion</i> by Sir Hardy Amies
<br></br>
<b>For:</b> The Type A
<br></br>
<b>The Gist:</b> Described as a fashion bible, this text approaches fashion from an encyclopedic point-of-view with rules on how to dress for every occasion.
<br></br>
<b>What You Can Learn From This:</b> Everything! Though not brilliantly illustrated or as hand-holding as some other books, this text takes a no-nonsense approach to fashion that is both smart and funny.
<br></br>
($24, <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Abc-Of-Mens-Fashion-Hardy-Amies/9780810994607-item.html?ikwid=abc+men%27s+fashion&ikwsec=Books">Chapters Indigo</a>)

<b>Book:</b> <i>Ralph Lauren</i> by Ralph Lauren and Mary Randolph Carter
<br></br>
<b>For:</b> The Designer Junkie
<br></br>
<b>The Gist:</b> Fashion icon Ralph Lauren has defined American style for decades and this beautiful volume celebrates his life and art.
<br></br>
<b>What You Can Learn From This:</b> As an American institution, there's a lot to learn from Ralph Lauren and the empire he's built. This stroll through memory lane with stunning photographs from his career will surely leave you with the strong desire to wear cable-knit sweaters and rugged menswear classics.
<br></br>
($55, <a href="http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Ralph-Lauren-Ralph-Lauren-Mary-Randolph-Carter/9780847837434-item.html?ikwid=ralph+lauren&ikwsec=Books">Chapters Indigo</a>)

<b>Book:</b> <i>The Book For Men</i> by Yours Truly
<br></br>
<b>For:</b> The Sharp Man
<br></br>
<b>The Gist:</b> This glossy, semi-annual text contains everything from the latest designer watches to the coolest of luxury cars, as well as a complete style manual so you'll always be at your best in all areas of life.
<br></br>
<b>What You Can Learn From This:</b> How to speak like a gentleman, what scents to wear and how to understand women better... among other things.
<br></br>
$17, <a href="http://sharpformen.com/book-for-men/fallwinter-2012/">Sharp</a>

Comments

matthew derusha

So I picked up the spring/summer edition of Sharp The Book For Men and thought that it was awesome especially the back section that had things from escaping cars in water to shaving. So obviously I was super excited for the next one (fall/winter) when it came out I checked it out at chapters and felt it was more of a high-end watch catelog rather then a style/gentleman’s guide to everything. Relizing that ads provide you guys with money it would be awesome if the next one could focus more on style pointers and everyday useful tips for the gentlemen of today. I love learning about fashion and other manly things like straight blade shaving. Looking forward to the next one and hopefully you have a lot more useful things in this one for guys to learn from rather then look at watches that cost more then a cheap car… Love the site though and everything else you guys do and am definitely going to check out some of these books.

Sincerely,

High-class gentlemen of tomorrow