07 January 2008

Am I asking too much here?


Ever since the post I wrote over the holidays expressing my frustration over the female to male formal-dress disparity -"the Lachey way," I called it- I've received an inordinate number of e-mails from male readers prompting me to, as one put it, "at least throw up some photos of styles you like and get a dialogue started."

So fine, here are a few pictures of Javier "takes my breath away" Bardem last night at the New York Film Critic's Circle Awards where he took home top prize for his performance in No Country for Old Men -- the film currently atop my must-see-before-Oscar-night list.

What do I like about his look?

For me, men's clothing, just like women's, is 90% fit, 10% swoon-worthy details. Here on Javier, I just love the fit of the jacket and shirt across his barrel chest. The trousers look slightly bunchy in the um, area of interest, but to be honest, after seeing these snaps, I don't really mind so much the snugness.

I suppose my "eh, he can get away with it" allowance is the equivalent of a man rationalizing a hot chick in a pleather push-up bustier top, isn't it?

Yikes.

Anyway, back to Javier's outfit. What I like about his choices are the strong but muted colors and cuts -- I like the gunmetal, I like the spread collar, the slim but not too slim cut of the pants, and of course, who wouldn't give it up for a man whose left eye looks as if it might've met with a Chuck Liddell uppercut? If he were out with a beautifully dressed woman, she would still garner the lion's share of attention (as she should), but he wouldn't look out of place or comparatively under-dressed by her side. That, to me, should be a man's goal. My kind of man's goal, anyway.

Now whether the cuff of those pants hits his shoes just right or the thread-count of his suit is season-appropriate are other issues altogether; on those kinds of specific distinctions I haven't the slightest clue, nor any helpful insight.

So I guess what I'm saying to the men out there who are looking for an ensured second date with me or with any other picky Pollyanna (cue my Kristin Wiig in Knocked Up voice) is make your body look like Javier's, go to a store with one of these pictures, show it to a salesman, buy this exact suit and look just like him.

More of my ideal below:

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow. Hot. That is all.

Anonymous said...

Hot yes, but I'd FREAK if a guy showed up like that to a first date. Maybe it's because I'm more a jeans/t-shirt kind of gal...Jo's worst nightmare!!!

Anonymous said...

the answer to your question is "yes," you are asking too much.

doesn't a girl as smart as you know not to reach for men out of her league?

Anonymous said...

I love this look and would be super happy if a guy ever wore something like it to take me out. However, I prefer navy to black suits for some reason.

Anonymous said...

Is he a shorter man? He appears to be, or perhaps it's the length of the jacket?

Great film. And he was fantastic. He'll nab many an award, no doubt.

Anonymous said...

Hi - I really didn't know much about this guy until I saw him live at the DC screening of the movie. He is HOT and he is short.

Short doesn't matter when you are horizontal

Anonymous said...

This isn't a bad suit, BUT It's in need of tailoring. It would look much better if it fit right. The jacket is slightly over sized and the slacks could be let out in the area of "interest" as Jo put it. It just looks like it could be a "tight" fit in a seated position. The length looks good, but I'd suggest a half inch hem. It's important for us vertically challenged men to get the length right. To long you look even shorter; to high and you look like you have on your easter suit from 8th grade.

Otherwise it's a great suit and great shoe.

Anonymous said...

I figured I'd leave a great guide for suit fitting for men who are interested and read this blog.

GQ featured this a few issues back.

Suit your Shape

Anonymous said...

Yes please.

Anonymous said...

son of a seamstress -- thanks for the link, i'll definitely be using those tips whilst shopping w/ my boyfriend for his next suit.

johanna -- how about a similar guide for us ladies?

Anonymous said...

he looks incredible here. and you're right, that bloodshot eye adds a hint of mystery! you have to go see No Country. top 10 favorite of mine now.

Anonymous said...

Anon 4:06-

No problem!

Since you will be shopping (possibly for a suit)with your man. I have another guide that was/is a great help to me when suit shopping.

This was in a issue of GQ (maybe 8 issues back).

Suit Shopping

Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Speaking of style, did you see that JenConn is the new face of Balenciaga? She looks freakishly great in the ads - her waist is miniscule!

Anonymous said...

lucky Penelope!

Anonymous said...

I think you like Javier more than you like his suit. I know I can't see past that gorgeous face!

Johanna said...

he's not actually that wee -- imdb.com lists him as 6'0", which looks about right if you believe their 5'5" stat on Penny.

Anonymous said...

off topic, but I thought you'd be proud of the fact that I just mailed my very last Christmas thank-you note. I've never done this before (I know it's awful), but it was a really good experience and one I'll keep with me from here on out.

Jill

Scott said...

Actually he looks like he's raided my closet...

I like how his shirt compliments his natural colors, and if you're not going to wear a tie it's about the shirt.

My one deal that someone picked up on is the tailoring, HOWEVER, you can't really tell how well it's tailored because he's wearing it unbuttoned so I'll give it a pass. As for the pants, they're obviously Italian and fit him as such. You're either into the look or not.

My only deal in the end is that his suit is in funeral black, and I wonder if it were in pinstripe if people would be wondering how tall he is...

I'll also say that you're opening a can of worms Johanna, because most men don't know what they good in so they get hung up on "rules." That said, I think you're on the right track in the general sense about not getting bogged down in the details. Most guys do, but in the end it's about what looks good on you... Or not. Despite the rules. Obviously the Javier Bardem's of the world have figured this out.

globalchameleon said...

That man is so hot he would look good in a Members Only jacket and lederhosen (fortunately that suit is a wiser fashion choice)

Anonymous said...

when I saw him he looked short. i find it hard to believe that he is 6'0 but who knows. I was seated and he walked out to present the movie, etc.

he's dating penelope cruz i hear.