the thin man

^ Dior Homme, Spring/Summer 2008. Click the image for The New York Times photojournalist Bill Cunningham's keen observations in an audio and visual slideshow, On The Street | Lanky. Below, two views captured by Cunningham of New York City men styling it and laughing in the face of today's fucked up, politically unpredictable economy.

This is one of those rare times at this moment in my own life when I smile inside seeing how others around me look. Especially in this case, with how stylish men look. I've always loved leanness and clean lines. I wore skinny trousers as far back as the early 90s, styled romantically, when I had some pairs by Dolce & Gabbana, a nice pair of rail thin black satin jeans I bought at 99th Floor in Chicago, and I even took in the legs of some of my khakis to achieve that effect. In the mid 90s I adopted a more 1960s mind and wore unforgivingly lean and severely tailored trousers and little wool sweaters by Paul Smith, vintage skinny trousers bought at thrift stores, and beautifully slim shirts by Caroll Christian Powell.

I just love how extremely modern the skinny look....looks, lol! But as Bill Cunningham puts it in his slideshow and audio presention, there is a certain fastidiousness about how these men today put themselves together that distances them greatly from the gym buffed yet sloppy, slobby, and slovenly way the previous decade's men dressed on the street. Today buttoned up yet casual and personally expressive propriety is chic and yes, masculine, just as it was during the first half of the 20th century (think Cary Grant, Noel Coward).

Plus there's a playfulness in how it's done by today's young men, with their porkpie hats, rep ties, and Converse sneakers. Even their iPod earbuds can help finish the look. It's damn cute. And yeah, sexy. I always say to project your innate sense of humour no matter how you're dressed, and especially as a big, optimistic "Fuck you!" to these harsh economic and politically volatile times.