Beauty Tips for Ministers

“Fit”ness For My Guys

July 12, 2009 on 5:34 pm | In Men's Clothing, Theological Reflection On Your Fabulousness, Tips For My Menfolk | 1 Comment

PeaceBang has had more than one e-mail from a male colleague lately asking, “How in tarnation did I know if my clothes FIT me right?”

It does seem a bit mysterious, doesn’t it, boys?
I mean, we can discuss the three hypostases of the Trinity more easily than we can figure out how long our sports jackets should be, or just where on the top of the foot the hem of the pants should fall.

I recommend that gentlemen clergy collect catalogs from respected menswear manufacturers and study them. Or go online to sites like Brooks Brothers or Eddie Bauer and spend some time clicking and on various images. Brooks Brothers has helpful interactives on their site like “How To Tie A Tie.” Get creative, guys! Put some time into it! I also like Eddie Bauer’s site for it’s classic looks — Brooks Brothers can get a little Euro-fashiony in their cut for my tastes (European cuts are slimmer and more streamlined than American cuts, and therefore less forgiving on the body. Plus, they just look weird for the average man, I think).

Do not upset and confuse yourself by going to, say, the web site for Barney’s in New York. There you will find such high fashion, expensive nonsense (Get thee behind me, $115 Phillip Lim pants with the tapered ankles!) that it will only perplex you. However, if you’re into fashion to the extent that you’re buying Phillip Lim, you don’t need my advice. Rock on with your fabulous self and send in photos!

Use your common sense. Get over your embarrassment and ask your well-dressed friend to enlighten you about some of the finer details of menswear. Better yet if that well-dressed friend will go shopping with you — either to the store or in your own closet, where you can try some things on and get an honest opinion about whether it’s a fine/keep it, clean it, tailor it, or toss it.

Liberal religious male clergy tend to be far worse offenders in the “fit”ness and appropriateness categories. For some reason, they seem to think that their tradition of theological interpretation extends to their clothing, leaving them free to “express themselves” with garments and grooming that communicate not so much, “I am free-thinking individual,” but “I feel free to look like a slob.” It’s not working, fellas.

I grew up with a corporate Big Apple daddy who dressed nattily at all times and whose suits fit him impeccably, and I know full well that he had Sam Coppola, his beloved tailor, to thank for that. This is why I implore you to make the acquaintance of a tailor and to support their craft. They are a dying breed, and PeaceBang fervently believes that good fit and fine tailoring should not be something we dismiss as “too fancy for the likes of me.”

It is far, far better to have one pair of slacks that fit well than six that droop or cling inappropriately around one’s body.

So thanks for asking, those of you who did ask. And good luck.

NIiiiiice suit. Brooks Bros.

Hey, I think these are cute! However, they communicate one thing: preppy privilege. Be conscious, be conscious!