Gentleman’s Elegance

Gladys Rodríguez-Dod
Exclusively By Rex Fabrics
Fine Fabrics from Around the World

Elegance in men may be an aphrodisiac for many women… and I find myself among them. Because a poorly dressed man, with tousled hair, wrinkled clothes, issues a statement of being selfish and not caring at all if he offends others with the way he dresses.

However, a gentleman who shows taste when choosing his clothes; is aware of new trends; experiments with them; makes sure they are appropriate to his age, figure and lifestyle; proves to be a responsible man.

I admire a man who knows a Missoni sweater when he sees it, a Charvet shirt, a Scabal belt, and a Balmain necktie. I applaud with approval when he discovers, by himself, exactly what looks good, and shops for him with the same self confidence as when he shuffles across the table a multi-million dollar deal.

I love to see him enthusiastically embracing new styles and colors, and being the one... all by himself… who makes his own decisions when it comes to the clothes he wears.

I think I fell in love with my husband for his elegance... and, likewise, I was disillusioned with the man I married at a very young age the day he went to pick me up at a relative’s home ―a marchioness in her own right― with a black suit and a white tie that broke the monotony of the boredom that offered his dress sense. To make matters worse, I watched his socks, whose elastic had given and were carelessly falling down… and, at that moment, I knew the marriage was doomed to fail. Thank God!

A woman should refrain from imposing her taste in her husband’s clothes (or boyfriend, lover, friend) and let him be the one who decides, according to his taste. Although “one is born with class; it cannot be taught or purchased”, we have to remember that taste can be learned.

Giving this some thought, today I bring you several men’s designs that possess sophistication, class and elegance. They are designs for the man of today, who is bolder, more sophisticated and, yes, also more adventurous than our fathers or grandfathers, who followed a set of rules that have disappeared over time. The 2013 man is sure of himself, and it is evident in his choices of good clothing.

For decades gentlemen made pilgrimages to London, where the best tailors could be found. And, for example, just to mention a brand, the Italian house Doremeuil imported their fabrics from England. The best tailored clothes were found in Saville Row, but nowadays it is no longer necessary since through the years new brands and extraordinary designers have emerged, mostly French or Italian, offering fashions with a perfect fit.

No matter what city we live in today, we will always find designers with magnificent fashions, using wonderful fabrics, which are now manufactured in different parts of the world, and are of the upmost quality.

In recent shows, menswear designers offered extraordinary collections with endless options for elegant men. So we have taken a close look at them and chosen designs that will be the toast of the town for the Autumn-Winter seasons.

ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA presents a perfect cut and fit. The charcoal suits will be a requisite this Winter to use with neckties in grey pattern tones. BRIONI also launched designs in grey and coats in beige so as to show contrast. For an elegant detail, he leaned towards neckties in dark tones.

TOM FORD has become a top menswear designer. For the new season he chose to mix fitted suits in textures such as the Prince of Wales pattern with printed checker shirts, thus creating greater impact.

CANALI’s overlapping jackets stood out. They promise to become a “must” this new season; while in the house of LANVIN colors were king. Imagine a delicious wine-colored jacket mixed with charcoal pants... or a coordinate with a rose-colored shirt and a necktie in a pattern with shades of wine. Sensational!

And RALPH LAUREN, who has stood out always for his English style, offered designs in brown with light blue shirts and dark neckties, creating a relaxed but very elegant style. It will be a long, cold winter... but, once again, very elegant!