Rating: 
Summary: Style is the man himself
Review: A decidedly Middle European view towards mens fashion, for it includes not only the English Savile Row standard bearer, but also the Italian soft tailoring along with the American casual look. The book encompasses the finer points of mens tailoring, as well as all aspects of mens daily ritual-from shaving to cigar smoking. I find the section on toupee especially humorous. Considering the scope of the book, the section on watches is quite disapointing, five pages of general information as oppose to thirty six pages on shoe-making. It even omitted one of the most important watch makers- Vacheron Constantin- completely.
Rating: 
Summary: Could be better
Review: A Timeless Fashion. Not a bad sub titile. But much of that timeless fashion is left out. For example, not enough history of the origins of the timeless "fashions." There could be much more about the types of clothing material and its origin and how to take care of each type of clothing. The writers basically skipped around the vest, the many types of jackets, several ways to tie a tie, and so much more. Not to mentioned that they give credit to the wrong cultures for certain clothing "discoveries." Berhard amd Roetzel make some bad assumptions about the clothes and appliances of the households around the globe. More research need to be done before this was printed.
Rating: 
Summary: The Guide for Elevating your Style
Review: Alan Flusser's "Dressing the Man" is about developing a classic business style of dress. Roetzel's "Gentleman" is about developing a classic life style. This book covers all aspects of one's appearance, and addresses grooming, hairstyles, formal dress, business dress, and sport. Although it has an English bias, it does a good job of incorporating classic American style and products such as Brooks Brothers shirts and Alden shoes.
More than just a book on how to dress, however, this book provides an introduction to some of the finer things in life that might otherwise go untried: The experience of a traditional shave at a good English barbor; the satisfaction of a bespoke suit, the beauty of a pair of shell cordovan shoes; Acqua di Parma; a James Smith umbrella. There is a section on "Breakfast with Style" which neatly encapsulates the author's philosophy that true style is not an act which you put on for others, it is an understated, elegant way of living which is undertaken for one's own satisfaction. It extends beyond clothing and appearance into all aspects of one's life.
The book is not perfect, and Mr. Roetzel has some rather quaint views on certain subjects. (For example, he has a somewhat antiquated and idealized view regarding how students at Ivy League schools dress.) It is not the best "how-to" book on selecting a classic business wardrobe (choose Dressing the Man for that purpose.) But as a book for those who wish to elevate their life style, Gentleman has no equal. For those who are looking for a roadmap to take them beyond the mass-production, slovenly, hyper-casual, impolite, and haphazard style which is becoming increasingly the norm, look no further than this book.
Rating:
Summary: An English Perspective...
Review: Although I do not consider myself an expert on the "art" of men's dresswear, I do appreciate books that "attempt" to clearly describe the function and practicality of good clothing for men.
This book is a thorough "A-Z", "soup to nuts" book written from a clearly British perspective, not that in and of itself is wrong, however, one must realize that our cousins across the ocean have been doing this for alot longer than we "yanks" have. So in light of that, perhaps we could use an education on how to dress proper. Besides, most men need a kick in the patoot when it comes to proper dress. It is a fathers responsibility to teach their son(s) how to carry on the tradition of dressing well. I know the women of the world will thank me for this statement. You would be surprised how many men I see everyday looking like a pile of "rubbish". (lewd vernacular could be substituted here.)Get a clue guys, if you dont know "how" to dress, than buy this book and FIND OUT!!!!! I look 10 times better after reading this book and the gals notice. (whoa!!!)
Hats off to Bernhard Roetzel and a must have for every mans library.
Rating:
Summary: One of Two Definitive Books on Men¿s Style
Review: As a web developer, I have recently had a run of men's custom tailoring customers. I found myself looking for an encyclopedic source of styling details and fashion fundamentals. This book by Bernhard Roetzel's provided many of the answers. It is a trove of the tried and trusted classics of men's clothing. In one volume one can find advice on combining familiar patterns, materials, fabrics and colors. Unlike the other book I consulted - Dressing the Man by Alan Flusser - breaks down the details and elements of Italian, English and American styling. To be sure, there are topics I could have done without - underwear, jewelry, umbrellas, walking canes, tobacco and pajamas, to name a few. However, if you are looking for detailed information about men's style, this is one of two books to consult.
Rating:
Summary: A Must for a real Gentlemen !!!
Review: Bernhard Roetzel's "Gentleman" is one of two definitive works on classic style for men. The other book is Flusser's "Dressing the Man." While Flusser's work is primarily concerned with developing a classic style for business dress, Roetzel's "Gentleman" is about creating a classic, elegant life style. Following Mr. Retzel's philosophy, style is not something we do for others. The pursuit of style is for one's own personal satisfaction. Therefore, Mr. Roetzel focuses on an understated, conservative elegance, with an acknowledgment of the importance of details, even if no one else notices. Roetzel's book focuses on mens fashion, with a bias toward tailored English clothing, but he goes beyond business clothing, to address casual, sport, and home style. In addition to the obligatory chapters on suits, shoes, and casual dress, there are sections on grooming and fragrance, hairstyles, wristwatches, and how to enjoy an elegant, relaxing breakfast at home. This book is a treatise on gracious living, and he introduces his readers to many of the small luxuries which no one should miss out on: the experience of a traditional shave from a good English barber; a pair of shell cordovan shoes; a bespoke suit; a comfortable and beautiful dressing robe. His philosophy is best exemplified by the section on eating breakfast, where he exhorts one to begin the day with a leisurely elegant ritual including "perfectly toasted bread." Personally, I barely ever eat breakfast, but the call to slow down and take the time to enjoy life's small pleasures resounds loudly none the less.
The book is not perfect, and Mr. Roetzel has some rather quaint and outdated ideas (such as the kind of clothes worn by students at Ivy League universities.) Overall, however, the book is an excellent roadmap for those who wish to live a cut above the norm in this too-fast, hyper-casual, overly-efficient, mass-produced, machine-made, often-shoddy world.
Rating:
Summary: Elevate your life style
Review: Bernhard Roetzel's "Gentleman" is one of two definitive works on classic style for men. The other book is Flusser's "Dressing the Man." While Flusser's work is primarily concerned with developing a classic style for business dress, Roetzel's "Gentleman" is about creating a classic, elegant life style. Following Mr. Retzel's philosophy, style is not something we do for others. The pursuit of style is for one's own personal satisfaction. Therefore, Mr. Roetzel focuses on an understated, conservative elegance, with an acknowledgment of the importance of details, even if no one else notices. Roetzel's book focuses on mens fashion, with a bias toward tailored English clothing, but he goes beyond business clothing, to address casual, sport, and home style. In addition to the obligatory chapters on suits, shoes, and casual dress, there are sections on grooming and fragrance, hairstyles, wristwatches, and how to enjoy an elegant, relaxing breakfast at home. This book is a treatise on gracious living, and he introduces his readers to many of the small luxuries which no one should miss out on: the experience of a traditional shave from a good English barber; a pair of shell cordovan shoes; a bespoke suit; a comfortable and beautiful dressing robe. His philosophy is best exemplified by the section on eating breakfast, where he exhorts one to begin the day with a leisurely elegant ritual including "perfectly toasted bread." Personally, I barely ever eat breakfast, but the call to slow down and take the time to enjoy life's small pleasures resounds loudly none the less.
The book is not perfect, and Mr. Roetzel has some rather quaint and outdated ideas (such as the kind of clothes worn by students at Ivy League universities.) Overall, however, the book is an excellent roadmap for those who wish to live a cut above the norm in this too-fast, hyper-casual, overly-efficient, mass-produced, machine-made, often-shoddy world.
Rating: 
Summary: Disapointing
Review: Contrary to what you may read here, this book is inferior to Alan Flusser's Style and the Man. It does not take a lot of imagination to write about Kent combs; it is a mistake to describe English shirt makers but to totally ignore Italian ones; and the author often focuses too narrowly on certain brand names and on English styles, to the detriment of others. I feel the author is out of his league and lacks Flusser's expertize. Style and the Man is a far greater appreciation of men's fashion.
Rating:
Summary: This "timeless" fashion is out of date.
Review: Don't be fooled by the word "timeless" in the subtitle or by the 1999 copyright date. If you are looking for a guide to what the properly dressed man wears, or has worn since 1970, keep looking. Let me give just a few examples. The author identifies saddle shoes with "the college look of the exclusive east-coast universities," when in my day (the 1980's and early 1990's) the students and professors alike at such schools wore sneakers. Some of his "best watches in the world" have existed in name only, their names given to gold-plated mass-market watches, since the introduction of the quartz watch (another innovation of the 1970's that is too recent to capture the author's attention). Then there is the author's bizarre diatribe against shorts, based on a world view as "timeless" as tailfins on cars. In other areas, the author either displays his prejudices or misses the point entirely. He loves taking pot shots at America, the more gratuitous the better. He devotes one dismissive paragraph to Armani. (So film stars wear Armani? So what?) He tells us how to keep jeans their pristine blue, as though anyone wanted that. One other thing bothers me. The author dismisses chest-hair removal as an American fad. Yet the model in the book is waxed to a baby-smooth state. What gives?
Rating:
Summary: Gentleman's Guide: To Grooming and Style
Review: First, I bought a book by the title above and thought it was great. I tried to find a copy to buy a friend only to find no one sold it anymore. A few weeks later I found the book has been reprinted under this new name. So if anyone else is like me and looking for the guide to grooming and style, this is the same book only in hard cover. Second, this book is worth having.
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