Any book that includes a picture of Steve McQueen in The Great Escape or Get Carter-era Michael Caine or Connery model Bond gets short shrift in these parts. Nothing against the blessed trinity of cool of course, just that other publications have that area well covered.
The new Icons of Men's Style includes all three. What saves it from the not-on-your-nellie pile is the fact that it is authored by long-time friend of Wallpaper* and one of the UK's most respected and measured men's fashion journalists, Josh Sims. And that Sims takes apart the staples of the male wardrobe in forensic detail and with real vim and vigour.
We learn, for instance, that the modern brogue is the descendant of a shoe first worn by Irish and Scottish agricultural workers. And the holes in the upper were originally intended to allow the shoes to dry after a hard day in the bogs. That the storm flap on the shoulder of a trench coat was originally designed to cushion the kick of a rifle and that Crombie supplied the Confederate Army with over coats during the American Civil War.
The biker jacket, as worn by the original juvenile delinquent - Johnny Strabler played by Marlon Brando in The Wild One (1953), and discussed in Chapter 1: Outerwear
A spread from Chapter 1: Outerwear, examining The Mac
Chapter 1: Outerwear, also examines The Pea Coat
Steve McQueen fronts Chapter 2: Trousers
Bermuda shorts, as seen in New York City in the late 1950s, and examined in Chapter 2: Trousers
James Stewart, fronting Chapter 3: Shoes
The correct way of wearing the polo shirt - buttoned to the neck and collar turned down. As discussed in the sub-section 'The Polo Shirt' in Chapter 6: Shirts & Sweaters
The dinner suit is arguably the most glamorous item in a man's wardrobe, as ilustrated by Sean Connery as James Bond, perhaps the most famous wearer of the classic garment
The Breton top, as examined in Chapter 6: Shirts & Sweaters
The Moon Watch, chosen by Sims in Chapter 7, as one of the iconic accessories of men's style.
Ray-Ban's iconic Aviator style of sunglasses, discussed in the final chapter on Accessories
Warren Beatty, photographed in 1962, illustrating the appeal of the cardigan, in Chapter 6
Rock Hudson sporting a lumberjack shirt, discussed in Chapter 6
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Alexander McQueen appoints Irish designer Seán McGirr as creative directorAlexander McQueen announces new creative director Seán McGirr – who previously worked at JW Anderson – just days after Sarah Burton’s exit from the British house
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Fender Tone Master Pro hopes to capture the ears of guitarists everywhere
The new Fender Tone Master Pro is the company’s first foray into digital multi-effects systems, a sophisticated unit that blends retro style with high-end electronics
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Major Barbie exhibition announced at Design Museum, London
The Design Museum has announced a major Barbie exhibition (5 July 2024 – 23 February 2025) to coincide with the doll’s 65th anniversary
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The finest fashion books for style enthusiasts
The fashion books taking pride of place on the Wallpaper* style desk. From monographs and photographic tomes to limited-edition titles, we explore the latest releases
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Fendi and Kim Jones pay tribute to Bloomsbury Set in new book
The Fendi Set: From Bloomsbury to Borghese, published by Rizzoli and featuring ethereal imagery by photographer Nikolai von Bismarck, celebrates the dual history of the Roman fashion house and the mid-20th century British intellectual group
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Louis Vuitton celebrates its ateliers and artisans in chic new tome
Louis Vuitton Manufactures, published by Assouline, explores the French maison’s craftsmanship through specially commissioned photography
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Tedy Eiley, the Paris-based brand inspired by mundane domesticity
Our Next Generation 2022 showcase shines a light on 22 outstanding graduates from around the globe, in seven creative fields. Here, we profile fashion graduate Brian Tusin, from Institut Français de la Mode, Paris
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Paul Smith on a few of his favourite things
Fashion designer and inveterate collector Paul Smith shares a few of his favourite things in a new book, and here with his friend and travelling companion Deyan Sudjic
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Celebrating the fabric futurism of Stone Island
Rizzoli’s Stone Island: Storia explores the experimental history of the Italian outerwear brand
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Common scents: Aesop’s first book reveals the secrets behind its global success
A small hair salon from Melbourne has shaped the contemporary grooming industry – and the rest is hairstory
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Strokes of genius: a new tome captures the illustrative ingenuity of Kenzo Takada
