 |
| Matching tie and handkerchief |
| Wearing a fisherman's cap |
| Pulling off a pocket watch |
| Earrings on men |
| Tie bars: How high or low? |
| Walking sticks weird? |
| Holding a handbag |
| Pinkie rings—tacky or acceptable? |
Q: I’ve noticed on Queer Eye that Carson uses neckties as belts. I disapprove of this—it seems about as fashionable as wearing a belt as a necktie. What’s your take?
A: Actually, this sartorial mannerism was popularized by Fred Astaire, perhaps the original straight eye for the queer guy. It’s a flamboyant look. Astaire carried it off because he was a paragon of elegance. He tended to wear a tie as a belt when he wore a casual-suit look, so it wasn’t all that obvious, just a touch of color when his jacket was open. Most guys can’t carry it off, which is why it worked so well for him. My rule of thumb is, Never wear anything that Carson Kressley would wear or recommend. He’s a riot. I love the show. But the man has no taste, and if he did, it would be dictated by product-placement dollars. Who could get away with wearing a tie as a belt? Maybe Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, Bootsy Collins, Keith Richards. But probably not you.
March 2004
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