Gentlemen, Start Your Engines
Aug 11, 2011
Oh, men. We love you, but we’re less than thrilled about the way many of you dress. Thank goodness that some of your stylish cohorts are creating fashion websites that appeal to those with a Y-chromosome. The newest of these sites is Park & Bond, and it is a godsend.
The site, a subsidiary of Gilt Groupe, is part store, part style blog and offers valuable intel on how to dress for work and play. Some of the helpful articles on the main page include: a tie-tying tutorial (try saying that five times fast!), tips on how to pack a business suit in your suitcase without wrinkling it, and how to choose the right shirt for an August wedding.
Additionally, the site offers readers the chance to chat with a personal stylist free of charge. So men, esp. the men who send me Ask Belle’s, you can now pose your burning fashion questions to an expert.
If I could offer one small critique of the site, like so many women’s fashion sites, the clothes are a bit pricey. Like a $210 passport cover or a $345 Fair Isle sweater, pricey. And while spending a bit of coin on a quality piece is not a crime, I think most men who are using the site to up their game would appreciate a few less expensive pieces. As I think it would be mighty difficult to convince a newbie to drop more than a Benjamin on anything other than a suit.
Other than that, I love the site. I spent probably three hours last night reading the posts on The Intersection. My favorite article? 20 Things You Need to Know About Dress Shirts. I have already forwarded it to every man I know.
Perhaps now, I’ll stop seeing so many men in ill-fitting shirts that gape and pucker. A girl can hope.
So if you have a man in your life who could benefit from a little sartorial direction, toss him a compass and direct him to Park & Bond. Because sometimes it’s better to show, rather than tell.
Next up, can we start teaching people to wear pants that are the right length.? Seriously, (almost) nothing irks my nerves more than seeing a man (or woman) with pants that don't even reach the top of the shoe. My boss is the worst offender of this, on most days his pants barely make it to his ankle.
smack me if i'm wrong, but “Park and Bond” sounds more like a Park and Ride for men who'd like to male “bond” with each other, rather than Park Ave and James Bond.
JaneBird-Your stereotypical assumptions are completely out of line. Just because a man wants to dress well does not make him gay or feminine. Perhaps, if we shattered small minded assertions like yours, I wouldn't see so many men traipsing around in Ed Hardy and Dad jeans.
I agree with your point about the pricing, Belle. And have you noticed lately (as I have) that a number of items seem to be showing up on these flash sale sites that are already available on other sites at similar prices with much more flexible shipping and return policies? It's worth remembering that just because the sale is time limited doesn't mean you have to snap something up immediately for the best deal. The more these site proliferate, the fewer true bargains seem to be on them.
Belle – I want to apologize for any confusion or offense I may have caused. I was simply trying to make a silly joke and the tone must not have been conveyed.
“Park and Ride” is a ride share where professionals living in the suburbs can park at a remote location, and ride together into the city. The style blog's name “Park and Bond” reminded me of this; the website title's wording sounded like a place to park your car and then bond emotionally.
I too believe that good taste and good style is for all, and that sexual orientation has nothing to do with presenting oneself well. Please accept my apology.
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