Title The Style Bible

Author AskMen.com

Year Published 2009

Kind of Book Men's fashion

How strongly I recommend it 7/10 

My Impressions  Nothing revolutionary in here, but there are still a few tips I learned in this book that ring in my ear when I think about style like, "Only wear one bold/unusual item per outfit" or "Make sure you feel at ease in whatever you wear."

Date Read Dec 2019

Practical Takeaways

  • (For short men) Make sure your clothes fit flawlessly

  • (For short men) wear tops and bottoms that are the same color as each other

  • (For short men) wear dark shades

  • (For short men) wear light-medium weight fabrics

  • (For short men) wear vertical stripes not horizontal stripes

  • (For short men) avoid wearing blazers or cardigans with more than 3 buttons

  • (For short men) wear v neck t shirts

  • (For short men) wear moderate heels on your shoes

  • (For short men) wear square toed shoes

  • (For short men) wear hats to create the illusion of height

  • (For short men) avoid big pints and labels

  • (For short men) wear a skinny to medium size tie

  • (For short men) keep hair style short

  • (For short men) maintain good posture

  • Make sure your dress shirt extends half an inch past your jacket on the sleeves

  • Make sure your tie hangs just above your belt buckle

  • Wear jeans and slacks at your hips not your waist

  • Only wear a black dress shirt with a black suit if you're attending a funeral

  • Always keep an extra umbrella in the trunk of your car

  • Avoid white socks unless you're playing sports

  • Think of your face as a portrait and your shirt collar as its frame ie. Short collars for short necks and long collars for long necks

  • Wash jeans before hemming them

  • When hemming pants take off a little less than you think you need

  • Wash jeans inside out

  • Wash jeans by themselves the first time you wash them

  • Don't put jeans in the dryer

  • When you find a pair of jeans that fit really, well buy a few pair

  • Only wear one bold piece per outfit (bright colors, odd hat or accessories etc.)

  • Layer your colors

  • Wear colors that work well with your skin complexion

  • Don't wear anything that feels uncomfortable

  • Never wear a dress belt with jeans

  • Never wear a casual belt with dress slacks

  • Never be caught wearing a shirt tucked into your pants without a belt

  • If you have a round face where square or rectangular frames

  • If you have a square face where more rounded oval shaped frames

  • Get your watch serviced every 3-5 years

  • Wear silver accessories with blacks, greys, blues

  • Wear gold accessories with browns, beiges, tans, and other earth tones

  • Dress for the occasion

  • Don't wear a tux before 5pm

  • Don't wear anything more formal than the wedding party

  • Make sure the color or your shoes matches the color or at least one tone of your belt

  • When meeting your girlfriend's Dad ask what he doesn't like regarding style

  • When meeting your girlfriend's Dad dress in a conservative, but still stylish manner

  • When in doubt, overdress

  • Make sure you feel at ease in whatever you wear

  • When public speaking, wear something that will relax the audience

  • When public speaking, go monochrome

  • When public speaking aim for calming cool colors (blue, grey, gray)

  • When public speaking avoid horizontal stripes

  • Rest your suits for at least one day before wearing them again

  • Hang and fold your garments every time you take them off

  • Zip up the zipper before washing an items (so it won't tear up the other clothes)

  • Turn your garments inside out before washing them

  • Treat all stains instantly with water

  • Machine wash your dress shirts and then hang to dry

  • Dry clean clothes as seldom as possible

  • Dry clean your suit as infrequently as possible (once per season)

  • Invest in a clothes steamer

  • Line your suitcase bottom with a few plastic bags, which you can use a laundry bags later

  • Make sure there are no stains before ironing

  • Take a shower every morning

  • Start and finish your day with a good facial cleanse

  • Make sure only people standing close to you are able to smell your cologne

  • When in doubt of how much cologne to use, use less