Thank you for reading another installment of the Ultimate Guy’dbook. I appreciate all of the great feedback and comments so far – I know it will help shape this into a forum for the “evolutionarily enhanced.” Speaking of evolution, in 1964, Bob Dylan coined the phrase, “The times, they’re a-changin’.” The great singer/songwriter wrote this at a time of rapid change socially, politically, technologically, and culturally. There are many changes that should be eagerly embraced, but a gentleman’s sense of style … that should be timeless.
There’s a general rule I follow in regards to style: “What would Cary Grant Do?” The logic behind this mantra, is that if you were to look at a picture of Cary Grant (see picture at left) from the 1940s or 50s, you could easily place him in any setting today. While the standard of style is influenced by trends regularly, the iconic gentleman can look at the wild changes visible on the surface and hone in on the underlying theme. For example, today you are likely to find huge, “chunky” scarves and clamdiggers on the guys in GQ and Esquire, but the more subtle, “timeless” trends are skinnier ties, and flat-front pants. You have to ask yourself, “what can I wear today that won’t make me embarrassed if I were to look at a picture of myself 10 years from now?”
In the end, the cool thing about style is that you can make your own. It’s about knowing who you are and confidently going forward. While you are finding your own image, find someone you can relate to. You might identify with the sophistication of John F. Kennedy or the simple, rebellious persona of James Dean.
Become iconic, gentlemen. Be timeless.
Discussion time: I’d like to hear who your style icon is. (There’s no wrong answer.) Ladies, who would you like your man to model his look after? Side note: for guys it’s style, not fashion.
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