This and That About Neckties

When Jerry Seinfeld appeared on television looking so neatly dressed–you know, those ironed jeans hugging that slim muscular body—the talk in the media was about his gender preference. Today, talk about him would include a discussion of the metrosexual.

According to a book review in Publishers Weekly, “metrosexual refers to a man with a sense of fashion and taste for culture.” Well, maybe our Seinfeld does not fit into that category.

The book The Metrosexual Guide to Style: A Handbook For the Modern Man was written by Michael Flocker and published by Da Capo Press the Perseus Books Group in 2003. This book’s introduction presents a much more detailed definition of the metrosexual man, emphasizing that this sophisticated consumer has a heightened aesthetic sense. Thus the emphasis in the book is to educate the buyer how to heighten his aesthetic sense. This introduction continues with very brief summary of men’s style through history selecting trends in keeping with the theme of text: all men can embrace stylish attire. One does not purchase this book for an objective historic overview of men’s fashion style.

General Etiquette

Chapter one is entitled General Etiquette, and it provides an amusing romp through formal and informal situations suggesting appropriate behavior. Some suggestions are classic. “With silverware, work your way in.” Others are insulting. “Thank your host when you say goodnight.” The topics covered in the etiquette chapter are quite extensive. Topics range from travel etiquette to the European kiss.

For such a small handbook 7.1×5.3 x0.4 inches with 208 compact pages, the author covers a variety of topics. Wine, films, fitness, and of course sex and romance are just a few of the many topics geared to educating the sophisticated shopper and rising cultural aficionado. True to the subtitle, A Handbook for the Modern Man, chapters offer page after page of does and don’ts.

Fashion and Personal Style

Chapter six, entitled Fashion and Personal Style under the heading “Avoiding Ridicule” offers the wisdom passed down through the ages. “The key is to identify which styles look best on you and then find variety within those guidelines.”

And how do you find variety? Ah, the answer to this question is not spelled out  Amazingly, designer mens neckties and well-crafted cuff links are only given a slight nod. In fact, under the heading Ten Wardrobe Must Haves, no mention is given to mens neckties. Under the section on Formal Dress, the sophisticated consumer seeking a heightened aesthetic sense is advised to select a mens designer black tie, straight or bow. The author missed the opportunity to point out that a style alternative for many sophisticated, stylish men is the button cover used on a tuxedo shirt. Certainly this is an aesthetic choice worth mentioning.

Current Trends in Fashion

The copyright of this book suggests one of its biggest problems in purporting to meet the needs of the metrosexual who wants to keep his style in keeping with new trends. A huge trend in mens fashion since late 2007 is the designer skinny tie. Why? Suits are getting narrower. It is hard to believe that sophisticated young men in this consumer category had not been already wearing slimmer suits.  Men’s skinny ties should be a topic of interest to the metrosexual man.