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Dressing the Man: Mastering the Art of Permanent Fashion Hardcover – October 1, 2002
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Dressing the Man is the definitive guide to what men need to know in order to dress well and look stylish without becoming fashion victims.
Alan Flusser's name is synonymous with taste and style. With his new book, he combines his encyclopedic knowledge of men's clothes with his signature wit and elegance to address the fundamental paradox of modern men's fashion: Why, after men today have spent more money on clothes than in any other period of history, are there fewer well-dressed men than at any time ever before?
According to Flusser, dressing well is not all that difficult, the real challenge lies in being able to acquire the right personalized instruction. Dressing well pivots on two pillars -- proportion and color. Flusser believes that "Permanent Fashionability," both his promise and goal for the reader, starts by being accountable to a personal set of physical trademarks and not to any kind of random, seasonally served-up collection of fashion flashes.
Unlike fashion, which is obliged to change each season, the face's shape, the neck's height, the shoulder's width, the arm's length, the torso's structure, and the foot's size remain fairly constant over time. Once a man learns how to adapt the fundamentals of permanent fashion to his physique and complexion, he's halfway home.
Taking the reader through each major clothing classification step-by-step, this user-friendly guide helps you apply your own specifics to a series of dressing options, from business casual and formalwear to pattern-on-pattern coordination, or how to choose the most flattering clothing silhouette for your body type and shirt collar for your face.
A man's physical traits represent his individual road map, and the quickest route toward forging an enduring style of dress is through exposure to the legendary practitioners of this rare masculine art. Flusser has assembled the largest andmost diverse collection of stylishly mantled men ever found in one book. Many never-before-seen vintage photographs from the era of Cary Grant, Tyrone Power, and Fred Astaire are employed to help illustrate the range and diversity of authentic men's fashion. Dressing the Man's sheer magnitude of options will enable the reader to expand both the grammar and verbiage of his permanent-fashion vocabulary.
For those men hoping to find sartorial fulfillment somewhere down the road, tethering their journey to the mind-set of permanent fashion will deliver them earlier rather than later in life.
- Print length320 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHarperCollins
- Publication dateOctober 1, 2002
- Dimensions9.06 x 0.98 x 11.69 inches
- ISBN-100060191449
- ISBN-13978-0060191443
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
“A Hoyle’s, a Fowler’s, a Webster’s, a Baedeker’s, a Machiavelli’s, a von Clausewitz’s guide to men’s dress.” — Tom Wolfe
“If it’s male elegance and sophistication you aspire to, DRESSING THE MAN will suit you perfectly.” — Art Cooper, Editor in Chief, GQ
From the Back Cover
Dressing the Man is the definitive guide to what men need to know in order to dress well and look stylish without becoming fashion victims.
Alan Flusser's name is synonymous with taste and style. With his new book, he combines his encyclopedic knowledge of men's clothes with his signature wit and elegance to address the fundamental paradox of modern men's fashion: Why, after men today have spent more money on clothes than in any other period of history, are there fewer well-dressed men than at any time ever before?
According to Flusser, dressing well is not all that difficult, the real challenge lies in being able to acquire the right personalized instruction. Dressing well pivots on two pillars -- proportion and color. Flusser believes that "Permanent Fashionability," both his promise and goal for the reader, starts by being accountable to a personal set of physical trademarks and not to any kind of random, seasonally served-up collection of fashion flashes.
Unlike fashion, which is obliged to change each season, the face's shape, the neck's height, the shoulder's width, the arm's length, the torso's structure, and the foot's size remain fairly constant over time. Once a man learns how to adapt the fundamentals of permanent fashion to his physique and complexion, he's halfway home.
Taking the reader through each major clothing classification step-by-step, this user-friendly guide helps you apply your own specifics to a series of dressing options, from business casual and formalwear to pattern-on-pattern coordination, or how to choose the most flattering clothing silhouette for your body type and shirt collar for your face.
A man's physical traits represent his individual road map, and the quickest route toward forging an enduring style of dress is through exposure to the legendary practitioners of this rare masculine art. Flusser has assembled the largest andmost diverse collection of stylishly mantled men ever found in one book. Many never-before-seen vintage photographs from the era of Cary Grant, Tyrone Power, and Fred Astaire are employed to help illustrate the range and diversity of authentic men's fashion. Dressing the Man's sheer magnitude of options will enable the reader to expand both the grammar and verbiage of his permanent-fashion vocabulary.
For those men hoping to find sartorial fulfillment somewhere down the road, tethering their journey to the mind-set of permanent fashion will deliver them earlier rather than later in life.
About the Author
Alan Flusser is the author of a number of books about men's style, including Dressing the Man. He is the president of Alan Flusser Designs, a company he founded in 1979. He attracted national attention in 1987 for Michael Douglas's wardrobe in Wall Street, as well as later acclaim for his work on the HBO movie Barbarians at the Gate, the Al Pacino movie Scent of a Woman, and American Psycho starring Christian Bale. In 1988, he was placed as a permanent member on the International Best-Dressed List.
Product details
- Publisher : HarperCollins; First Edition (October 1, 2002)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 320 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0060191449
- ISBN-13 : 978-0060191443
- Item Weight : 3.2 pounds
- Dimensions : 9.06 x 0.98 x 11.69 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #13,762 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2 in Style & Clothing
- #13 in Fashion History
- #17 in Fashion Design
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book provides useful and valuable style advice for men. They appreciate the timeless look it outlines. The book is described as concise, easy to understand, and well-written. It offers insights into color and pattern matching, and covers the history of fashion. Many customers find it a great gift idea for young men and mature men interested in learning about fashion.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book provides useful and valuable style advice for men. They describe it as an outstanding reference for anyone interested in men's fashion. The book helps them appreciate the little details and understand shirt and sport coat selections that best complement their skin tone.
"...The book provides a valuable style guide on areas difficult for many men: such as how to match patterns and colors and what colors to avoid and why...." Read more
"...That said, this book is a good gateway into the world of men's fashion that will give the reader a solid foundation for assembling a timeless and..." Read more
"For a fashionably-clumsy man like myself, this book has enabled me to take a step forward and look sort of like the consultant that I am..." Read more
"...The book has made me a better dresser and it has helped me to avoid making bad purchases, but I do have a few issues to raise: *..." Read more
Customers find the book's style timeless and classic. They appreciate the advice on creating a functional wardrobe with practical tips. The book focuses on principles of selection and appearance, including shirt patterns and materials. It provides accurate text and sensational photographic images to support it. Readers also mention that the historical basis is explained.
"This book turned out to be much more than I expected. It has style and color advice plus history of how current western business dress evolved...." Read more
"...reader a solid foundation for assembling a timeless and functional wardrobe with plenty of practical tips for doing so." Read more
"...The book is elegantly photographed with men of elegant dress, including classic actors such as Gary Cooper, Fred Astaire and the poster-child for..." Read more
"...While bespoke fashion is ideal (I own a little), most readers would be better served by some advice on how to properly fit a garment from the rack...." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and understand with clear text and illustrations. They appreciate the interesting prose and colorful pictures. The book provides clear instructions and explanations through photos, charts, and descriptions. Readers find it informative and useful.
"...There are instructions on how to tie a necktie. It assumes that a man wants to look good in his clothes whatever amount he spends...." Read more
"...The author writes fluent prose, but sometimes it feels as though the author enjoys his quill a bit much *..." Read more
"...player watching or the first time fan, he makes it accessible and understandable while not leaving the better informed bored...." Read more
"...His work is the definitive one, and his prose is interesting. The pictures are outstanding...." Read more
Customers find the book helpful for determining colors that complement their complexions. They appreciate the illustrations and tips on color and pattern matching, materials, and clothing details. Readers also mention it's informative and interesting, offering ideas on traditional men's dress.
"...style guide on areas difficult for many men: such as how to match patterns and colors and what colors to avoid and why...." Read more
"...Matching color to your complexion, eyes and hair is a subject that many men struggle with, and he has a chapter dedicated to that...." Read more
"...As others point out, the color photos are rife with error and it is inexcusable *..." Read more
"...Learn about color, proportion, texture, patterns, the history, and, most importantly, learn the traditions and then play with them yourself...." Read more
Customers find the book helpful for learning about the history of men's clothing. They find it an interesting and useful reference that explains the historical basis behind rules. The book provides great information about how certain styles were born.
"...fashion that will give the reader a solid foundation for assembling a timeless and functional wardrobe with plenty of practical tips for doing so." Read more
"...Learn about color, proportion, texture, patterns, the history, and, most importantly, learn the traditions and then play with them yourself...." Read more
"...Part style guide, part history book, all class...." Read more
"...It provides a rich history and thorough discussion of every component of men's fashion: shirt patterns and materials, including seasonal..." Read more
Customers find the book a good gift idea for young men. They say it's the best fashion gift for young men entering high school and beyond, and perfect for young and mature men with a desire to learn about fashion or those with style.
"Great gift Gave this to my 16 cousin who has just started modeling. He seemed to appreciate it. It's a beautiful interesting book." Read more
"It was a great gift and they loved it!" Read more
"Great collection and reference book. Perfect for young and mature men with a desire to learn about fashion or those with style." Read more
"Classic book on timeless men's fashion: perfect graduation gift for young men..." Read more
Reviews with images
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In my wishlist for 2 years!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2021This book turned out to be much more than I expected. It has style and color advice plus history of how current western business dress evolved. The pictures are excellent illustrations of style and the fold out color suggestions by season are excellent. The book provides a valuable style guide on areas difficult for many men: such as how to match patterns and colors and what colors to avoid and why. There are instructions on how to tie a necktie. It assumes that a man wants to look good in his clothes whatever amount he spends.
Many may think a book like Dressing The Man is no longer worthwhile to read. Due to the ultra relaxed clothing styles enabled by covid-19 remote work the great majority of men no longer need to dress in a coat and tie for the office. The book is dated in that it does not dedicate many pages on how to look good in jeans with fashionable torn knees. This may put off many current 18 to 30 year old men.
I recommend the book for any man who wants to maximize value received with a small clothing budget. This is especially true if someone only has enough money for one suit or one sport coat. It offers clear advice on how to look well dressed to women (and perhaps their parents). This book will serve as a valuable guide when more formal styles return as fashion evolves or during the next recession when men's dress becomes more conservative.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2014This is a great book about achieving a timeless look and acquiring quality apparel. Like most men, I was never taught anything at all about color coordination or how to match patterns, let alone judge the quality of clothing. I just assumed that it was a talent that some people are simply born with. While it might be true that some people are gifted in that regard, it is also a skill that can be both taught and learned.
This book is one of several that I credit for teaching me the basics of dressing well and it has been absolutely indispensable in my professional career. I only wish someone had given it to me as a graduation gift.
My only gripe about this book is that Flusser skimps on some details which are made obvious only by their absence. Flusser specifically writes about the importance of color and finding one's personal colors based on the strength of your natural color (skin tone and hair). Flusser goes on to explain how, in ye olden days, men's magazines often had articles discussing and applying color theory to dress and explanations about how one can match clothing colors to personal color to create a pleasing appearance. And that's it. Although he certainly is aware of different theories of how to do these things, they are conspicuously absent from the book.
That's a major failing that I hope will be corrected in later editions or by other works. That said, this book is a good gateway into the world of men's fashion that will give the reader a solid foundation for assembling a timeless and functional wardrobe with plenty of practical tips for doing so.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2008For a fashionably-clumsy man like myself, this book has enabled me to take a step forward and look sort of like the consultant that I am (or at least portray myself to be).
The book is elegantly photographed with men of elegant dress, including classic actors such as Gary Cooper, Fred Astaire and the poster-child for perfect dress, Cary Grant. You'll also see princes and dukes dressing to keep the proper air, and see old men (Signor Barbera and Ralph Lauren) maintaining their distinguished appearances as they grey by dressing well.
But this isn't merely a picture book, although any book on dressing well must lead with pictures. It contains a chapter on everything - shoes, ties, the suit, shirts, socks, business casual (13 in all, and each on a narrow subject). Matching color to your complexion, eyes and hair is a subject that many men struggle with, and he has a chapter dedicated to that.
This is a formal and classic book - not one for the passing trends, although business casual is covered.
Anyone who needs to be in a situation where they need to be well-dressed - businessmen for key meetings, gentlemen at weddings and perhaps most especially, job interviewers, should keep a copy of this book on their dresser.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2004There aren't many books that give classic and trustworthy clothing advice for men, but I wish there were more. The book has made me a better dresser and it has helped me to avoid making bad purchases, but I do have a few issues to raise:
* The author writes fluent prose, but sometimes it feels as though the author enjoys his quill a bit much
* As others point out, the color photos are rife with error and it is inexcusable
* While bespoke fashion is ideal (I own a little), most readers would be better served by some advice on how to properly fit a garment from the rack. The author gives only brief mention of this purchasing option and I got the feeling that he considers any suit not made on Saville Row to be rubbish.
* I found his mention of cuff links to be cursory. Flusser admonishes that a real cuff link is jeweled on both sides, but when is the last time you ever saw this? He could have at least given some tips on selecting quality single sided cuff links, because they vary greatly in quality.
I do indeed like the book, but in addition to learning about fashion I wanted to learn about how to make due without breaking the bank. In a future revision I hope the author includes some mention of practical, yet dignified, clothing choices.
Top reviews from other countries
- jputtersReviewed in Canada on March 21, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars A primer for every well dress gentleman
This really helps separate out style from fashion.
-
Alexandre RochaReviewed in Brazil on September 5, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars O melhor livro de Alan Flusser
Alan Flusser ensina o homem a se vestir, mostra combinações possíveis, traz um dicionário extenso. Infelizmente, se perde com tipos de roupas que ninguém usa, como smokings e casacas.
-
DR. 20xReviewed in Italy on November 25, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Vestirsi e accessori
Ottimo compendio su tutto ciò che è il mondo dell'abbigliamento e dell'accessorio del gentiluomo, se siete interessati alla moda maschile tradizionale questo è un must
- Ivanjan ChattorajReviewed in Spain on February 1, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable information for incorporating perpetual style in one's dressing
This book contains very valuable information that is presented in quite detail in easy storytelling format. One has to take the time and patience to go through this book, understand the various tricks and nuances of men's style.
I'm happy with the way the package was neatly delivered without causing any damage to the book.
-
Amazon CustomerReviewed in Mexico on April 7, 2020
4.0 out of 5 stars Bueno pero vintage.
Es un clásico...que se quedó en ese formato. Las ilustraciones y las fotos son sinceramente viejas. Tal vez tendría que reeditarse con un lenguaje visual más contemporáneo.