Esquire's Style Tribes

Ok, I confess, I judged the March issue of Esquire magazine by its cover. I assumed that the issue featuring a rather dapper looking Leonardo Dicaprio holding a cigar and tossing a tumbler of gin toward the photographer would be a charming read. I assumed right. And I was even more pleased to discover upon purchase and perusal of the publication, that it featured an amusing section on different kinds of male style in America. It further expresses that personal style is alive and well. I feel the need to share the information from the article because I found it both interesting and inspiring.

The article entitled “American Tribes: A Fashion Story” is the “definitive guide to twelve distinct cultures of American style.” Esquire points out that the feature will not include minor tribes of “the Guy Who Always Wears Sweatpants,” “the Skinhead,” “the Circus Clown,” the Civil War Reenactor,” “the Muppet,” “the Supreme Court Justice,” or “the Nudist,” just in case you were wondering why said tribes were omitted from the official list.

The “American Tribes” features twelve different kinds of male “style tribes” and attaches said style to a specific dress code, first historical sighting of style, favorite book, and music on his iPod. I thought it was interesting how Esquire chose to categorize the men’s personal style by something more than clothing. Proving, I believe, that personal style is not limited what you wear and it has history. I have selected 6 of my favorite “tribes” and will share them now.

First there is “The Wasp” is also known as “the collegiate,” or “the preppy guy.” He can be seen wearing a double-breasted blazer and pressed trousers. “The WASP’s” first sighting was White Anglo-Saxon Protestants in 1920’s Harvard Yard. Today’s WASP’s include non-WASPs everywhere. The name stuck. Naturally, WASPs enjoy Vampire Weekend. I love the classic style of “the WASP.”

Next is “The Woodsman” also known as “the outdoorsman.” This guy is rugged, yet sophisticated. He wears waxed-cotton jackets, corduroy pants, and all manners of tweed.”The Outdoorsman” was first sighted in English hunting lodges in the 1920’s, while today he can be seen in line for a Wes Anderson movie. Hall of Fame “Outdoorsmen” include the British Royals and Peter Beard. His favorite book is Hemingway on Hunting and he listens to Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Then there’s “The Rake” also known as “The Ladies Man” or “The Playboy.” He was first sighted in 1960’s Las Vegas and wears tailored blazers and dress shirts with the top three buttons unbuttoned. Tom Ford and Joe Namath are hall of fame “Rakes.” He can be spotted at the after-after party dancing to MGMT.

Next we have, “The Trad” also known as “The New Englander” or “The Professor.” First seen at the original J.Press shop in New Haven, Connecticut, “the Trad” wears tweed blazers, botton-down oxford-cloth shirts, and rumpled khaki chinos. Recently sighted in hipster coffee shops across the globe, “the Trad” listens to Talking Heads and enjoys the book The Stories of John Cheever.

“The Rocker” or “The friend of the band” is next. This guy was first spotted on the Sunset Strip in the early 1960’s. Jim Morrison, Johnny Deep, and Lou Reed are hall of famers in this tribe. With his signature accessory of sunglasses, “The Rocker” can be seen dressed in leather items mixed with denim and tailored garments. Recently sighted in the VIP area at Bonnaroo, “the Rocker” has multiple iPods and his favorite book is Psychotic Recreations and Carburetor Dung.

Last, but not least is my favorite, “The Roller” also known as “the man of leisure” or “the easy rider.” First spotted on the French Riviera in the 1920’s, “The Roller” wears unstructured blazers, cashmere sweaters, and white jeans. “The Roller’s” signature accessory is a beaded bracelet. He listens to James Brown and his favorite book is A Moveable Feast. My favorite thing about “The Roller” the pickup line Esquire designated to the tribe “I’m free all day tomorrow. And the next day. How about you? I love the laidback attitude and the style that coincides.

Photos by: Alan Clarke

Photos via: Esquire.com