A best-selling resource for men's style and clothing, The Indispensable Guide to Classic Men's Clothing takes the mystery out of dressing well. This volume answers hundreds of questions about classic articles in a man's wardrobe, from ascots to wingtips. It describes, in practical language and through dozens of illustrations, the rules of attire that every man should know for occasions ranging from Casual Fridays to Black Tie. Leading experts on men's clothing-from Brooks Brothers and Paul Stuart, to Britain's famed Turnbull & Asser and France's venerable shoemaker J.M. Weston- have contributed their knowledge to this concise yet exhaustive volume, which explains how to put together a wardrobe of timeless, impeccable style. Plus, the finest custom suitmakers, shirtmakers and shoemakers describe the fine points of their craft and provide tips on how to recognize quality clothing. It has been featured in GQ magazine and Wedding Bells magazine. Few "indispensable" guides are ever just that, but this title comes close to hitting the mark, even though much of the information provided can be found in similar guides, such as Paul Keers's A Gentleman's Wardrobe (1988). Karlen, an attorney and editor, and Sulavik, a journalist, use a question-and-answer format (e.g., "Should a dress shirt have a pocket?") that works well, and the candid remarks provided by dozens of clothing experts are an interesting feature. Helpful line drawings are interspersed throughout the text, although photographs might have provided clearer illustrations in some instances. While this is not quite an indispensable purchase, most public and academic libraries should have at least a few good men's grooming guides like this one on their shelves.AP. Steven Thomas, Central Michigan Univ. Lib., Mt. Pleasant Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. "According to The Indispensable Guide to Classic Men's Clothing, the two techniques [tying your shoelaces and tying a bow tie] are similar." -- -- As credited by GQ , June 1999 Josh Karle n, a former journalist, grew up on the Lower East Side and in the Village. He lives with his wife and two children in Manhattan. He currently works in media relations. Chris Sulavik is founder and publisher of Tatra Press. Used Book in Good Condition