A Gentleman Gets Dressed Up is not a book about style-it is a book about the rules-rules that will allow any man to feel more comfortable in the choices he makes about what he wears. It answers such questions as: What does "black tie optional" mean? What do I wear to a wedding at 7:00 on a Saturday evening? What do I wear to a job interview? What do I wear to a second interview, even if they observe a casual dress code? What do I wear to the Academy Awards? What do I wear to a funeral? And what button do I leave open on my suit coat?

This GentleManners book is divided into sections about specific items of clothing and specific accessories. It also delves into the different types of events to which a gentleman may find himself invited. The book concludes with sections on extreme etiquette, such as what to wear to meet the pope, and a section on fashion emergencies, such as what to do when your pants split.

• A gentleman knows that dressing up may require going to great pains; but it does not require that he feel any pain at all.
• A gentleman knows that a formal shirt does not have a button-down collar.
• A colorblind gentleman is not ashamed to mention his disability to a clothing salesperson and to ask for assistance in selecting a shirt or tie to match a suit.

A Gentleman Gets Dressed Up

Thomas Nelson

Contents

Introduction............................................................ixA Gentleman from Head to Toe............................................13Hats and Caps...........................................................15Haircuts and Grooming...................................................24Ties and Other Neckware.................................................34Shirts, Collars, and Cuffs..............................................53Trousers................................................................63Suits, Blazers, and Sports Coats........................................70Formalwear..............................................................80Shoes...................................................................98The Finishing Touches...................................................109A Gentleman for All Occasions...........................................129A Gentleman Gets Dressed for a Wedding..................................132A Gentleman Gets Dressed for a Cocktail Party...........................138A Gentleman Gets Dressed for a Funeral..................................140A Gentleman Gets Dressed for a Religious Service........................141A Gentleman Gets Dressed for a Job Interview............................142A Gentleman Gets Dressed for a Concert..................................143A Gentleman Gets Dressed for a Cookout..................................144A Gentleman Gets Dressed for a Night on the Town........................145A Gentleman Gets Dressed for a White-Tie Fundraiser.....................146A Gentleman Gets Dressed for a Masked Ball..............................148A Gentleman Gets Ready for a Party......................................149A Gentleman Takes Care of His Clothes...................................151A Gentleman Goes Shopping...............................................157A Gentleman Is Only Human...............................................171

Chapter One

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An operator's guide to the wardrobe essentials

A gentleman knows that looking good is not just about the grand gesture-the purchase of a trendy designer suit or a pair of obviously Italian-made lace-ups. He knows that, ultimately, being well dressed is about the details-the way he buttons his simple, navy-blue suit jacket or the way he makes sure his penny loafers are always neatly shined.

He knows that, if he pays attention, the drape of his trousers will not be destroyed by pockets made saggy by the burden of car keys, an overstuffed wallet, and a cell phone. He knows that, by taking a moment before rushing out the door in the morning, he can avoid the embarrassment of discovering, shortly before lunchtime, that he's gone halfway through the day wearing mismatched socks. He knows that, with a neatly folded pocket square in his breast pocket and a crisp dimple in his tie, he can declare his personal style without making an issue of the price tag, whether great or small.

A gentleman's ultimate goal is to travel through life as if he were a polished machine and a complete work of art. The following pages offer the advice, instructions, and vocabulary necessary to help him achieve that goal-not only from top to bottom, but also from the inside out.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from A Gentleman Gets Dressed Upby JOHN BRIDGES BRYAN CURTIS Copyright © 2007 by John Bridges and Bryan Curtis . Excerpted by permission.
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