Manolo for the Men

Kean Etro seems to have stolen a tape measure or two from the sculptor Claes Oldenburg, lover of all things colossal.

Dressing like a stout flightless marine bird is par for the course at the Oscars, but George Miller, the producer of Happy Feet, went delightfully all out by tucking a white silk scarf into his jacket.

Izzy was quite annoyed by the juvenile, snarky tone of this New York Times article on Brooks Brothers, but when the author referred to a “blazer in an understated Harris tweed,” the jig was up. By definition, the proper fabric of a blazer, which is not at all synonymous with a sport jacket, is serge or hopsack, definitely not tweed. (And unlike a sport jacket, a blazer always has metal buttons.) Brooks Brothers’ standards may be on the rise, but the Times’ is clearly slipping.

With the wig (one hopes), makeup (likewise), and weedy patch below his lip, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler looks great for a 75-year-old woman.

While browsing in the neighborhood bookshop, Izzy came across this cover of a rakish Tennessee Williams. Just as Mark Twain liked to write in bed in his pyjamas, perhaps Williams did his best work in this elegant glen plaid dressing gown.

Diesel is taking flak for mocking global warming in its latest series of ads. Because, you know, fashion is, like, the traditional home of ethical seriousness.

Although Izzy has a habit of making fun of the au courant designers, he must confess that ever since he saw Thom Browne’s Fall 2006 collection he has been inspired to experiment with winter whites. Having finally found a sumptuous pair of cream flannel trousers, he is dashing off to the nearest skating rink.

While Hugo Boss’ style generally evokes everything German and modern, something about these simple suede boots makes Izzy think fondly of the Italian Renaissance.

One of Izzy’s devoted readers kindly pointed him to this cast photo in which Mark Harmon is wearing a pair of boots that appear to be laced very unusually. Izzy has never seen these type of boots before. Does any of his readership recognize them?

Izzy isn’t sure he’s brave enough to attempt the odd plaid jacket, but offers his kudos to this gentleman spotted by The Sartorialist. And the striking contrast between trousers and shoes also gets a special commendation.

“Pardon me, would you have any Grey Poupon?” were the most famous words spoken by the British actor Ian Richardson. Known in his homeland for playing the villain par excellence, he combined his sharp features with sharp conservative tailoring to become the very incarnation of a what the British call a toff.

Ever a lover of the understated, Izzy is a serious collector of solid-color ties.  A staple of his wardrobe, they’re perfect to pair patterned shirts or jackets.  This navy tie, made of English silk, is on sale at J. Crew for just $19.99.