I Know What Boys Like

Well, sometimes. But it took a while. When I started selling my men's clothing, it was about the time the movie "A Room With a View" came out in 1985. I got so swept away with George's heady romanticism, Freddy's turned-out kook look and even Cecil's perfect suits that I thought modern men would actually dress like that. My menswear has evolved over the last 26 years, but I still believe in many of those fashion ideals - beautiful fabrics, great fit, a dapper edge.

I think my niche is a lot more funky than the usual men's designer, but like all menswear, is based in tradition. The idea that a woman can design menswear isn't universally accepted, yet most successful, big name womenswear designers are men.  The assumption is a woman couldn't possibly know what it feels like to "wear the pants." Maybe since kilts go way back, men designing women's clothing are excluded from this notion. So how do I know what a man would want to wear? I don't. I  know how I want them to look, but I want them to want it as well, to be drawn to it, so I ask questions.

The universal "Yes?" Comfort. They would like to look good. And they would very, very much not like to look foolish. Some guys like a straight power look. Some guys want to look like they have money, plain and simple. Some guys want to be first on a trend, a fresh, hot purchase. Most guys want to look accepted.

So when you see a guy who goes out there a little, who is truly stylish, or who has made a very smart decision, it can really turn your head. I am extremely fortunate to live with a guy who does that pretty much every day, but I also have friends who influence me in ways they might not know, like when my friend David picked up a 1940's motorcycle jacket to ride on his vintage BMW motorcycle (I ended up designing a woman's vegetarian version that season.)

Or my friend Chuck, who showed up one night in a fitted wool zip front vest under his suit jacket (so mod, so dashing.) My friend Richard's clothing is always hyper-fitted, yet he moves around at lightning speed. It's those little things - they look effortless, but they make a difference.

The other day at church, the head of our Social Justice committee got up to speak in front of everyone. Church wardrobes have certainly deteriorated since my mom insisted on our Sunday best, but he was wearing one of my favorite - yet I think most overlooked by men - items, a vest. It was just a black one, nothing too fancy, over a white shirt, but it spoke volumes. It said "Listen to me" by not being an open collar or a knit shirt. It said "I'm not uptight" by not being a jacket, and it said "I'm a cool, easy going guy, not A Suit" by literally not being a suit. It was fashion in action. I loved it.

So if you're a guy reading this, and you don't like taking chances, maybe this weekend, do a little something extra, and see where the day takes you. You can blame it on too much sun at the parade, or one too many at the barbeque. I would suggest watching "Room With a View" first. I'll be waiting in a field for my George.