GQ Feb Mar 2011 Review

EVER felt like you’ve spent months building your own style from scratch only to find it’s more confused and erratic than a Picasso? Maybe you’ve just shelled out hundreds of dollars for a slick pair of Zegna loafers then discovered they don’t work with your wardrobe?

This edition of GQ (February/March) was written for you.
Somehow they’ve managed to cobble together all the essentials to build personal style from scratch. There are all the staple items, like suits, shirts and shoes, and then there's the other stuff; the attention to detail stuff - I'm talking about slim wallets, plaid ties, aspirational watches, colognes and, to a lesser extent, the campy pocket square, which I love to hate.

Style and styling appear to be the focal point of the mag this edition. There's a generous lift-out around the middle of the book devoted solely to grooming, particularly shaving. The emphasis there is on how to do it properly. The badger brush gets a Guernsey, along with shaving creams that come in tubes and tubs _ the advice is to chuck away canisters of shaving foam faster than if they were covered in killer bees.

If you're folically blessed, there's a section on hair styling and coifing options. If, however, you channel the Vin Diesel look you'll flick through this section fast enough to cool off the summer heat. Either that or wipe away bitter tears, like I did.

The main highlight this edition is the extensive look-book styles on offer, with its emphasis on fresh ideas and outfits. I’m still waiting for the double-breasted jacket to get an official endorsement, but apparently we’re not quite there yet.

There's an extensive photoshoot with actor Todd Lasance in a kind of Good Will Hunting Vibe. The shots are smart, crisp and, most importantly, not overly branded.

Instead of jeans and tailored pants they've got him in chinos and other cotton fabrics. Up top its woollen fibres, slim cut jackets, V-necks and cardigans.

If you are brand minded, there's a mix of high-end and low-end options. They've mixed expensive names like Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss with Pierucci and Baubridge and Kay. A bit odd, considering most people who buy a pricey suit generally don’t mind paying a cheeky $300-$500 on a brand name belt. They've got the dosh, so why not? Just saying.

Very pleased to see the Brunello Cucinelli brand making its way into the GQ outfits -- they’ve got a couple of items on show and, though subtle, they stand out. I can’t say enough good things about their designs, though the price-tags are monstrous and suited to the Gulfstream set. Take out a mortgage before setting foot in their stores. You've been warned.

Finally there's also the usual clutch of sound and home entertainment options, cufflinks, perfumes and cars guide material, along with a tasty shots of a Russian bird and some Italian blokes walking somewhere. That's further up the back.
All in all, a good read this month and a great rev-up for Autumn.

GQ is published under license by News Magazines
Frequency: Bi-monthly
Cover Price: 8.95

For more information visit: www.gq.com.au