More recently, a wide range of men's clothing books have been published. Here are a few examples available for checkout from the Hinsdale public library:

• Kressley, Carson: Off the cuff : the essential style guide for men and the women who love them
• Lands' End business attire for men : mastering the new ABCs of what to wear to work
• Nicholson, JoAnna: Dressing smart for men : 101 mistakes you can't afford to make-- and how to avoid them
• Gross, Kim Johnson: Dress smart--men : wardrobes that win in the new workplace

In today's world, books are no longer the only game in town; some of the best information on men's clothing can be found on the Internet. Here are a few examples:

How to tie a tie from tieguide.com.

Ten most common men's fashion mistakes from Ask Andy About Clothes.

A series of four articles on men's fashion by The Morning News:

• Part One: Suits
• Part Two: Dress Shirts
• Part Three: Pants
• Part Four: Conclusion

For diversity of opinion and lively discourse on a topic, few Internet resources surpass discussion forums. Ask Andy About Clothes and The Style Forum are fantastic sources of information. The regular members of both forums are passionate about clothing and won't hesitate to share their opinions or offer advice. As with all other Internet discussion groups, it's considered polite to spend some time reading existing messages before posting, as you may have a common question which has already been answered several times. Topics range from the general (e.g. What type of shoe should I wear with navy blue trousers?) to the brand-specific (e.g. Should I get a Hickey Freeman or J. Press suit for my job as an accountant?).

Here are a few recent topics for discussion on the Ask Andy forum:

• A Discourse on Shirtings
• Chukka Boots--For Old-Timers Only?
• First Suit Advice (The verdict is...)
• Tuxedo: Peak or shawl lapel?

Similarly, here are a few selections from The Style Forum:

• French Cuffs or Barrel Cuffs
• The best tie knot. Ever
• Best value in men’s dress shirts?
• Watches under $500
• The interview

If you're the kind of person to take things to extremes, you may find yourself described as a dandy. If this appeals to you, you're not alone. Christian M. Chensvold, a freelance writer from California has created a site called Dandyism.net to celebrate the art of fine dressing. Some of his men's fashion pieces are archived on the site.

Using the information sources listed above, you'll become a style guru in no time. You'll be able to recommend a collar style to a coworker, describe outfits in which a balmoral cap toe oxford might be a better choice than a blucher, and explain the benefits of bespoke suits to your significant other.

[MBO]