‘The style manual for successful men’ are the bold words you will find on the cover of Esquire Magazine’s bi-annual Big Black Book. Gracefully and quite clearly encapsulating for me why I have always had a penchant for men’s magazines. Particular Esquire. They focus on power and timeless style, ambition and quality objects, they value wit and character over fads and fame.
Overall they promote investment into quality over conspicous consumption and with every page, address the reader as if they are CEO– a boss’s faithful companion- a trusty manual for success. I may have to go get a suit tailored.I first read Esquire when I was roughly 15 on a flight to Sydney with my dad. I remember the tinge of resentment; envy at the tailored suits and silk ties,and confusion as to why the women’s magazines I read didn’t feature stylish people in industry and have people like Ramon Ang on the cover.
Esquire had witty commentry on a company’s IPO and told you what the best thing to say in a board meeting was. Of course at 15 the nearest meeting I got with a board involved chalk, I still felt like I was being addressed as if I was powerful. This masculine perspective of decadence rolled up style in substance- It’s experiences and a successful life they endorse not just shopping and beautiful women. Although there is plenty of that, in between appreciating the female form I’d like to know where to get the best sandwich in every city in the world. Thanks Esquire, now please make a style manual for successful women.
Men’s Essentials Round Up
1.Band of Outsiders Shirts 2. Dan Ward Canvas Bags 3. Katie Eary Skate Board
Wearing Rag & Bone and FLASH TRASH GIRL with Mills and Bip last night at Esquire Little Black Book Party
