GQ Makes Over Six Capitol Hill Gentlemen

Oct 25, 2012

Capitol Hill Style may focus on women’s fashion, but that doesn’t mean that the men don’t need a little help.  Or a lot of help.  From male muffin tops to pants that are too short to color combinations that are too garish for a funkadelic Halloween costume, the men of Capitol Hill commit their fair share of faux pas.

In the November issue, the staff at GQ makes over six Capitol Hill gentlemen who were in desperate need of a style intervention.  One of the men, 2012’s 50 Most Beautiful winner Max Engling, has made an appearance on this blog before.  I believe I called his ill-advised black was canvas jacket reminiscent of a B-movie villian, so I was so glad to see that the stylist at GQ hated the “loud” blazer as much as I did.

Check out the article to see a few Capitol Hill gentlemen get the GQ treatment.

And if you’re looking for a few shops that cater to well dressed gentlemen, I’d start with Hugh and Crye for shirts.  Men’s shirts that actually fit better without tailoring and don’t cost an arm and a leg?  Yes, please.

Photo via GQ/Mei Tao found on Reliable Source

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  1. Jen R says:

    wow, hotties! my boyfriend needs a GQ makeover. tech guys aren't really known for their fashion sense. tech guys in DC? forget about it!

  2. helixy says:

    While I think these photos speak to the glory of tailored pieces, some of those pants look far too tight for those men. Sure, it looks all find and good standing up, but a few look as though if they sit down their pants will split…or they will have to contend with their anatomy.

    I have recently come to terms with the fact that I need to hone my ironing skills for the sake of my fiance's slacks and shirts and whatnot. It has occurred to me that far too many professional men will go out in quality clothing that isn't being taken care of as well as it could and should be. Fortunately, most of his slacks do not require dry cleaning so we take care of them at home, but men who don't have time or someone to help should consider taking their items (even if they do not REQUIRE professional care) to a professional. Wrinkled trousers are easy to fix, but wearing them out can look silly.

  3. GoGoGo says:

    Aw! Thanks for posting this. Even never having met a single one of these guys, I feel this proprietary feeling. It looks like “our DC guys” had some fun with this. How great is the big old grin on our cover guy here, the Senate IT staffer?

    Side note: boy, GQ likes them pants tight! Not knowing anything about men's fashion, I didn't realize how mainstream the skinny pants look was these days.

  4. Lexi says:

    Whoa, those pants are tight and short!

  5. IM says:

    I realize that I may be in the minority here, but I think most of the make overs look kind of silly.

  6. nicci says:

    These guys look great! I love the looks. I cannot, however, fathom many of these guys affording the duds GQ outfitted them in. $1,200 for a suit on a 20-something Hill staffer salary?

  7. CE says:

    The dudes look great, but I don't think even I'd be comfortable in pants that tight, and I'm a woman. Also not a huge fan of the short trouser – men's pants shouldn't be pooling around the ankles or anything, but it's weird to see a guy's socks when he's standing.

  8. Helena says:

    I'm a regular GQ reader and, yes, they favor fitted, ankle length pants right now. Just as you would with women's editorial fashion, you have to interpret the looks into a more wearable version. I personally think most men in DC are wearing their pants waaaay to baggy and long. I even convinced my husband to trade in a few relaxed fit jeans for slim fits. So much better!

  9. JB says:

    I have to agree with IM – the after shots look like the guys played dress up in clothes from middle school. I absolutely cannot take anyone seriously if they are wearing tight, too short pants that shows off the male equivalent of cleavage.

  10. Anne says:

    I think guys should model themselves after Matt Bomer on White Collar. His suits on the show are always well tailored and are paired with good shirts and ties.

  11. S says:

    I agree with others, I do not find male camel toe appealing. Those pants are wayyy to tight.

  12. CynthiaW says:

    Only the last two guys look like they would be able to walk, let alone sit down, without ripping their pants open. That being said, most of them still look better – or at least they would if they had properly fitting, slimmed down pants on.

    Most men really do wear clothes that are way too big and it's not an attractive look.

  13. Lexi says:

    @S: LOL at male camel toe!

  14. SamW says:

    These guys look great, but I wish these editorials would show how to dress a variety of body shapes. Not every guy can or should wear slim fit suits and pants. How does a guy that has some weight on him dress to look slimmer? Just some food for thought.

  15. maddie says:

    I second the suggestion that DC (and really all professional) men should look to Matt Bomer's White Collar character as inspiration!

  16. K... says:

    Thanks for the eye candy, Belle! Who cares if they can sit down?!?

  17. One of the things I like best about these transformations is that a fitted jacket in the appropriate length can go a long way towards pulling together a look. @SamW – One of the guys in the spread looks like he is a bit bigger than the rest and it definitely shows in his “before” outfit. However, after the jacket makes him appear downright skinny.

    I agree that the tight fit of some of the pants may not be everyone's cup of tea, but being European I'm used to ultra slim fit suits and have come to love the look. I think the show 'Suits' is a great example how suits should fit at different age ranges. The younger guy is scrawny and wears his suits ultra tight with skinny ties whereas his boss dresses in more loose fitting 3-pieces with wider ties. Both types look impeccable, but it's just a big difference in style.

    For fitted dress shirts for guys I can recommend Theory and low and behold – H&M. For suits, I love that Banana Republic's suits come in skinny fits and both pants and jackets are available in shorter fits. We bought a suit for a guy there and it didn't need any tailoring, just the right combination of sizes and fits.

  18. helixy says:

    @K.. – Wow, way to objectify those men.

    In checking the comments again, I want to add an afterthought to my first comment. I definitely DO think the too tight/too short looks silly, but at least it looks a little cleaner than the, “oh look I'm wearing overly baggy stuff because I'm a damn fool.”

  19. HM says:

    Holy Hannah those guys are effin HOT in those after shots! It was like night and day!

  20. CH says:

    These guys look great! I kind of love the hipster slim-cut pants that show a little whimsical sock (for editorial fashion, not necessarily for everyone's real-world office). I also now desperately want a snappy glen plaid jacket (in a lady cut) for myself 🙂

  21. AnonDC says:

    I saw them setting up the shoots (and shooting) in Adam's Morgan over the summer (pictures 3 & 8)! I couldn't figure out what it was for because nothing was labeled GQ. Thanks so much for pointing this out, feels great to finally know. They all look great in the after pictures!!

  22. pqresident says:

    how about a few blog or website recommendations for men's fashion (other than GQ)? is there a Capitol Hill Style for guys? District Cut is no longer…

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