Put This On

“MistahWong” is always on the road for business, and lives out of a suitcase as he travels from his home in Australia to Oceania and Southeast Asia.  That makes his difficult achievement - perfectly elegant warm-weather casual clothes - all the more remarkable.

This is a very simple outfit, but the quality and fit are absolutely impeccable.  It’s also perfectly accessorized, with a beautiful pair of suede Alden chukka boots, what look like Randolph Engineering aviator sunglasses, some charming beads and a lovely rucksack.

Another in our series of photos of real men dressed well - this time a triptych from Florian, of Germany.  I love the way the relatively neutral tones of the coat and scarf give way, upon close inspection, to a riot of color.  Florian is dressed for the cold, but he isn’t letting winter win.

We continue our look at real men in real nice clothes with this photo of Barima, who lives in Accra, Ghana, taken by his friend Jamie Archer.

Barima’s in quite the dandy outfit here.  He’s got a loud pocket square, a flower in his lapel that looks as though it may be porcelain, a Mont Blanc pen, a loudly striped shirt and a patterned bow tie.  That’s a lot of elements to juggle, but he’s doing it admirably.  The color pallette is actually relatively modest - mostly blue and white, with accents of pink and gold.  He’s also balancing his very traditional shirt and tie with a coat of very contemporary proportion - narrow lapels, a high gorge and a slim fit.

I also think that Barima’s race gives him a little more leeway to play with the conventions of traditional dress.  One’s picture of a man in traditional British business dress tends more towards the father in Mary Poppins than towards a young, good-looking black guy like Barima, and it makes the traditionalism of his outfit feel a little subversive without losing any of its elegance.

I recently bought one of these lovely madras shirts from Lands’ End.  I’m always looking for warm weather options - I melt in the heat, and summer’s coming fast here in LA.  The fabric is lovely, and it was only $29, which made it a great alternative to the $80 one I’d been looking at at J. Crew.  One note, though - Lands’ End’s traditional fit is monstrous.  I’m a bit big for most larges, and a medium fit me well.  It’s gotta have a 44 inch chest.  There are several lovely prints, too.  I think I may actually have just talked myself into buying another one.

This photo, in our series of pictures of real men who dress well, is of Rob, from Brooklyn (and his adorable daughter).

Rob’s dressed for the serious weather they’ve been having in New York lately.  The coat is the boldest statement here - that pattern is called a gun club check.  It’s traditionally a country pattern (yes, there are traditional city and country clothes), but I think given the weather and the Brooklyn milieu, that’s entirely excusable.

Greg’s wearing this heavy coat with a pair of dark jeans.  I think jeans are best paired with more casual fabrics like the tweed Rob’s wearing - they both have a more utilitarian feel.  Rob’s shoes, a pair of heavy brogues which toe the line between city and country and form and casual, tie the jeans to the coat.

Rob’s also committed to growing that beard until he and his fellow teachers have a contract, which we’re on board for 1000%.  The good news for Rob is that it looks great on him.

The Myth: Big Men Can’t Wear Anything

I’m tired of getting emails saying, “I appreciate your advice, but I’m bigger, and I can’t wear XXXX…”

There’s no doubt that if you’re obese, it can be tough to find good clothes that fit well.  I sympathize with the predicament.  What I don’t like is the defeatism.

Look at Jackie Gleason above.  He’s a very big man, and he looks fantastic.  Clothes that fit well flatter all figures, not just those of the skinny.

I’m a bit overweight myself, but I find that clothes that fit me make me look skinnier, not heavier.  For most men, slimmer pants will have a flattering effect, not the reverse.  Tailored clothes will make almost any man look better - men’s tailored clothing is essentially the product of 300 years of technology dedicated to making men’s bodies look good.

I’m not here to tell you lies: if you’re heavier, you won’t look as good to most.  That’s reality.  I would probably look better if I was 15 pounds lighter, or if my hairline wasn’t receding or my parents could afford orthodontics when I was little or if I was a runner or a swimmer.  That’s all true.  But that’s a reason to dress well, not a reason to throw up your hands.  LET’S DO THIS.