À AIMER: European menswear (a.k.a. clothes that fit)

Photo: Louis Vuitton Men's Show, Spring Summer 2010.  © Louis Vuitton/Youssef Boudlal.

I used to work with a woman named Deborah who, each time a man passed by wearing a great scent, said, "Mmm-mmm.  I'm weak for a good-smelling man."

I, too, am weak for a good-smelling man.  I'm also weak for men who wear clothes that fit.  This is why I tend to walk around Europe with a half-smile on my lips that somehow fades every time I board the Eurostar for England or a plane back to the United States.

What is it with Anglophone men and baggy clothes?

The last time I was in London, I noticed that most of the men wore loose-fitting — if not ill-fitting — suits, jackets, and jeans.  Now that I am back in the U.S. for that tortuous dental treatment, I am astounded to see that nine men out of ten walk around in GIANT, and I don't mean large, clothes.  Even in fashionable New York, I lost count of the number of men whose shirts billowed out of their belted trousers, creating a weird sort of "balloon belt" effect.  

I know where they are getting these too-big shirts because every store from Neiman Marcus to The Gap carries them, and whether the label reads small or medium, the size is still XXL.

I do realize that many American men are now large to XXXL in body size, but just because you have what the French call "une bonne brioche" — a big belly — doesn't mean you have to wear T-shirts as large as pup tents.  And you're not hiding anything under that man's muumuu.  If you have une brioche, everybody knows it whether you're wearing huge clothing or not.  There are plenty of European men who are overweight and unfit, and many of them still manage to look great by choosing clothing that fits them well. 

And for those American and British guys who are en forme (in shape), why are you hiding it?  There are gorgeous French women (and men) out there who are just dying to meet "un bel Américain" or "un bel Anglais."  So treat yourself to a nicely-cut jacket and T-shirt, and perhaps a pair of lean trousers.  

With clothes that fit and a dab of divine cologne, you're sure to inspire weak knees.  And you can thank me later for all of the attention you've received.

Comments

[Stephanie]

I'm with you. And there's something so immature looking about the baggy shirts. My husband has a slim-cut sports coat and every time he wears it here his female coworkers tell him he looks like a catalog model. I love it!

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