Then I’d shake your hand and buy you a drink.

Thanks to Katelyn for the tip!

We grew up, grew old, grew a few more coins to jingle in our pockets.  I spent some of them on Lucky Mag’s first book, The Lucky Shopping Manual: Building and Improving Your Wardrobe Piece by Piece,  which changed my life.  After giving me permission to purge every ill-fitting, purchased-on-a-whim outfit I owned, I was down to two pieces of clothing:   a  vintage cashmere cardigan and a  ’50s cropped coat from my grandmother.   Imagine that.

Despite the strides we’ve made over the years, I’ve often wished my husband had the same sort of manual.  We all have room to stride, right?  Enter Esquire’s The Handbook of Style:  A Man’s Guide to Looking Good, whose introduction calls it a “roadmap for a territory that’s familiar and strange at the same time.”  Did you know, for instance, that in the summer it’s OK not to wear socks, but only if you give your shoes a break every other day?  Or that sideburns and a goatee elongate a round face?  Or that Bob Denver (not Jesus, which is a common misconception) is the originator of the modern mandal?

This book would be the ideal Valentine’s Day gift from me to him:  an extension of the “I want the world to see you the way I see you” brand of longtime love that allows us to accept what our mates wear, but still wish for them to present the best version of themselves.

I’m willing to be that there’s a man in your life in need of a few sartorial suggestions (honestly, the book should be required reading for any man old enough to plunk down a credit card for Crocs and/or frayed khaki shorts).  So if you leave a comment on this post describing your biggest fashion faux pas, you’ll be entered to win a copy of Esquire’s book.  Best answer takes the prize:  it’s not random this time, so funny and brief win the day.

the fine print:

Comments will be closed and entries will not be accepted after 11:59 pm EST on Sunday, February 15 , 2009.  The winner will be selected on Monday, February 16, 2009, and notified by e-mail.  Results of the giveaway will be announced on Monday, February 16, 2009.  Multiple entries will not be accepted, and previous giveaway winners are not eligible.  Misosouper, a shopping blog reserves the right to disqualify entries that are incomplete, inaccurate, or considered spam.

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