Wearing well-fitting and stylish clothes is the first step to looking great. But if there's no personality to what you're wearing, even the most well-thought-out outfits can fall flat. As Carson Kressley of the hit series Queer Eye says, "Clothes may make the man, but accessories make the man fabulous." Here, the effusive fashion expert lists his six favorite accessories.
The Man Bag
Anything too small to hold a laptop computer is going to look too feminine. And anything that looks like it was meant to carry a laptop is going to make you look like a math major. Invest in leather. A good litmus test for a bag is to ask yourself: If I saw this sitting unattended at an airport, would I call security, or want to steal it? If theft is the answer, that's your bag.
Sunglasses
Everyone should own at least one pair of killer shades. Ray-Ban Aviators look great on almost everybody. Steer clear of "sports" sunglasses that make you look like a fly. Avoid dark tints ‑- you'll wind up looking like Ronnie Milsap. Looking like a blind country singer from the early '80s is so rarely the answer.
Belts
Personality starts in the crotch region. But you knew that. Get a vintage leather strap and find a belt buckle that says something about your personality. If you don't have a personality, try a Disney character. Thumper, perhaps?
Pocket Squares
Ralph Lauren always says "last thing on, first thing noticed." If you're wearing a blazer without a tie and you have your shirt open at the collar, you need that touch of color, of contrast and flair, that a pocket square provides. There are so many kinds out there ‑- micro-dots and checks and wild paisleys ‑- you've got to have fun with it.
Watches
If you're like most guys, you wear very little jewelry (unless you're a hairdresser, in which case you likely don't need this book). The one bit of bling you're going to invest in will probably be a watch, so why not make it a great one? Even though this is an area in which to shine, I don't recommend gold for most men. Steel and silver will stand the test of time.
Cuff Links
A great way to inject a bit of dash and humor into your wardrobe. They're so personal, like jewelry, and flea markets and antiques stores are filled with interesting, inexpensive variations.
From Queer Eye for the Straight Guy by Ted Allen, Kyan Douglas, Thom Filicia, Carson Kressley and Jai Rodriguez, © 2004 by Scout Productions, Inc., and Bravo Company. Used by permission of Clarkson Potter/Publishers, a division of Random House, Inc.
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