Traditional, Classic Look Should Suit Him Fine
Dear Fashion Police: My husband has one suit, now 13 years old. It’s time for another, but he would like some advice, because he obviously isn’t a trendsetter. What kind of suit would be most classic so that he can wear it the longest and not be too out of style? Also, it needs to be in a fabric that will work for both summer and winter, especially a Midwest winter.
--MARRIED TO A
ONE-SUIT GUY
Dear Married: One suit every 13 years? Your husband certainly isn’t keeping the menswear industry in business, is he?
It is indeed time to do some shopping--after, we trust, you’ve donated that relic to a museum. Because you say your husband isn’t on the cutting edge of fashion, it should be fairly easy to find him a conservative suit.
We suggest a traditional two-button, notch-collar jacket, even though the three-button is all the rage right now (there’s no telling how long that look will last). If he’s feeling madcap, he might want to try one on just for fun, but we’ll bet he’ll stick with the two-button.
The suit should have pleated pants--they’re classic and flattering to almost every body type. Make sure they’re cuffed.
As for colors, the safest for year-round wear are navy and a medium charcoal gray. Because this will probably be his only suit for a while, discourage any pronounced textures or obvious patterns, such as pinstripes or checks.
A mid-weight wool is your best bet for fabric. As we’ve advised before, buy the best quality you can afford. And since your husband won’t be wearing the suit every day, keep it on a strong suit hanger in a garment bag with a little cedar wood in it to discourage moths.
It’s been more than a decade since he’s had a new suit, so chances are he’ll need at least a couple of new shirts (they don’t have to be white; cream or a compatible color are OK), a pair of shoes (try basic oxfords), a belt, and maybe a tie or two. Shabby, worn accessories will make a new suit look old and tired.
If you find a good salesperson, see if he or she can help pull the whole thing together; it’ll be easier than having to run around the store on your own.
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Dear Fashion Police: I have a complaint about women who apply their lipstick in public--in restaurants, at the mall, on a bus or while walking down the street. I feel it’s only appropriate to apply cosmetics--especially lipstick--in the privacy of a bathroom.
I don’t know if women realize how unattractive this habit is. What are your thoughts on the matter?
--LIP STICKLER
Dear Lip: We, too, have “issues” with women who apply makeup in public. Our concern is not so much with those who can whip out a tube of lipstick and slap it on in two quick strokes, but those who make a production out of it.
First comes the compact mirror to look over the lips and teeth, examined in detail for any obvious food particles. Next comes the lip pencil, which is painstakingly applied, then the lipstick. The lips get one more thorough check to make sure everything is ducky before the face is scrutinized for blemishes, oily patches and dry skin flakes. It is then powdered for good measure.
Trust us--there is nothing funny, sexy or cute about this, it’s just disgusting. A quick, discreet dab of powder on the nose in public isn’t a major offense if there is no other option and one’s face is simply oozing all over the place. But that and lipstick application are best taken care of in a bathroom, where one can examine every pore on one’s face to one’s heart’s content.
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Write to Fashion Police, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, fax to (213) 237-4888, or send e-mail to socalliving@latimes.com.
