Roundup: Help the Helpless (Man Friend Edition)

J. Crew Fatigue Jacket / J. Crew Denim Jacket / Penfield Stapleton Vest / American Giant Hoodie / J. Crew Ludlow Sportcoat / Lands' End Chambray Shirt

A while back, my delightful friend Erik asked me to do a roundup especially for guys, since he is interested in looking good, but is somewhat sartorially challenged. So naturally, it took me three months to get to it. I'm going to post several roundups regarding dudes and what I like to see on them, so pay attention, guys who read this site. Yes, all three of you.

First up: Outerwear! I find if you have just a couple of these essentials, you can mix, match, dress them up or down, wear them together or alone, or any which way but loose. My personal fave is the high-low mix of chambray shirt or denim jacket + sport coat. Is that what they call them these days? Is the word "blazer"? I am eighty-seven years old.

Anyway: Enjoy! More to come soon. And, Erik: You are welcome and I take payment in the form of Bulleit bourbon. THANKS.

Comments

[Erik]

Thank you so much. Dr. Wife is no help. I just think she doesn't want to hurt my feelings. And "Little Erik-Face" has made it quite clear that I have a long way to go before I'm even worthy of a glance, much less her fashion advice. Outerwear? Check! Can't wait to see what else you have in store for me and Vince and Ben. (I'm assuming those are the other 2 guys.)

[Ryan]

My live-in man friend is finally discovering his personal style but it is slow going . He just replaced one black North Face zippy with a new black North Face zippy. But it has a different pocket!

Just wondering if you have tried the Bulleit Rye yet. I grabbed a bottle in December and found the on the rocks it is even better than the bourbon. That's the opinion of both me and my live-in man friend.

[LynnB]

What DO you call those sport-blazer-jacket-coat things? I was just "helping" my boyfriend shop for one he could wear to Christmas dinner, and I also felt 87 years old, walking through the stores saying blazer. But I felt like a tool saying sport coat. Like we were going to be lunching at the hunt club or something.

[aebell]

I think I'm a lucky one, b/c my husband has pretty good style, particularly for work wear. Results were more mixed for casual wear; my greatest achievement over the Christmas holidays was getting him out of his not-quite-mom-jeans-but-not-much-better jeans. I can't quite imagine him in a denim shirt, but some of the other options look promising.

[AB]

@Ryan: I have not tried the Bulleit Rye, but it is now on my list!

@aebell: The chambray shirt is way versatile. I think every guy should have one. It's rugged and hot and even looks good unironed. :)

[nixie]

I like this post. We should help our men. It just makes us look better and who does't want that? There are a few that need minimal help, but most need a lot of help
Good job AB. Even if there are 3 male readers, a lot of the lady readers will send the info along as a hint to their male friends..... (Brian!)

Where will you go next AB? I say overlooked but important accessories that can pack a style punch!

Tom Brokaw's rad round glasses... that's the best style decision he's made. just look at him! I now listen to him when he speaks because he's wearing those glasses.

Obviously a decent wallet, watch and shoes can bring plain jeans and a t-shirt to another level. Men often mess those three things up a lot!

A decent wallet- preferably without velcro or the use of office supplies and paper clips to keep your money....(Brian)

A watch... if it has multiple buttons and you are not using it for training and putting on your real watch after, you may need a grown up watch. That doesn't have 8 buttons and a variety of sounds for different alerts. That is what an iphone is for and I'm certain they have an app for that....(Brian)

Shoes.. that could be a whole segment. so many things can go wrong here

Maybe the underused until recently tie clip. It can pull together an outfit together, keeps your tie out of your soup and looks really sharp when you take off your sport coat or sweater. We'll just call it the Cool Clip.

AB feel free to delete this. I'm up late rambling after a couple glasses of wine. You might need to save me. I think it could be a good series. I have many more ideas I will not burden you with now.

[Andrew]

ME! HOORAY!

I love J.Crew Ludlow... My newest love, though, is Schott NYC.

[AB]

@nixie, this is my favorite thing you have ever written. I will treasure it for life.

[Grace]

Love a chambray shirt! And maybe if I tell my husband what you said about it, he'll consider it. He seems to always go for things regarding house stuff when I say, "AB says (fill in expert home decorating advice here)." :)

[J]

Okay, just outing (heh) myself as a male reader of your site. The 'heh' is because I'm one of the gay men that someday hope to have my home as well decorated as yours :) You are amazing.
Cheers,
J (and Stanny who reads over my shoulder sometimes.)

[AB]

Aw, yay for J and Stanny! Thank you! xoxo

[Sarah B]

Just forwarded to husband whose standard uniform of khakis and crew neck shirts needs more friends. THANK YOU.

[JR]

Thanks! Also a male reader, and I think you should continue this feature on the website.