14 - Sunday, August 21, 1994 - North Shore News BREED Women speak out against handyman erubbies, stifling six-year-old suits Carol Crenna FASHION STATEMENTS ASK A direct question — what do women like men to wear? --- and you’ ll get a surprisingly direct answer. This column compiles some straightforward opinions on what type of clothing women prefer on a man, and what they fee] should be thrown to the back of the closet. 1f you think women never judge aman by what he wears, you’re dead wrong. Though she may not care whether he likes to shop or has a sizable wardrobe, she almost always has an opinion on how he should dress. This is not a sexist issue: it’s sim- ply letting a man know a womuan’s opinions, and offering some helpful suggestions, because everyone likes to know where he stands. We're not suggesting you should base a man’s character on his appearance or that you should try to change him, but a steady diet of hardworking handyman grubbies and stifling six-year-old suits may not be reflecting that part of his per- sonality that you like the most. Somz men don’t realize that, since their character is multi-dimen- sional, their wardrobe should reflect that. They may be stuck in a one-look rut, or they have the “I’ ve-dressed- this-way-for-years-why-should-I- change” attitude. A subtle touch of encourage- ment, not criticism, can allow him to see the light. Trying a new style or color that he admires when passing a menswear store can be the first step. Here, five respected North Shore women compile a list of personil dress codes for men. eeoo Rhoda Rizkalla, president of Marquis Consulting Group Inc., States: “A man should be comfort- able and confident in what he’s wearing. If he’s not, it will show.” Rizkalla, a single West Vancouver resident. feels that a man’s style is more important than the quality of the clothes he wears. “It doesn’t matter if it’s an Armani or a lower-priced label, it depends on how he puts it together. I don’t think you have to spend hun- dreds of dollars to look great.” She prefers a dressed-up casual look that combines jeans with a nice Sports jacket, and a cotton or linen shirt buttoned right to the neck. without a tic. She says. “You don’t have to wear a suit to be dressy. I like an understated, elegantly casual style — a European look.” She also stresses that hands are important and should be well cared for, and she likes clean shaven looks. ee Wendy Lisogar, vice-president of Century Plaza Hotel, places emphasis on fine quality menswear fabrics. She is more attracted to a man in a suit than to one in casual clothes, and feels one of the sexiest looks is a man in fine European suit trousers, a white shirt, and a tie with u strong accent color. The jacket is carried, not worn, to reveal his upper body shape. She feels that a colored shirt with a suit does not look as flattering on a man as a fine quality white one. She prefers double-breasted suits, but 66 A man should be comfortable and - confident in what he’s wearing. If he’s not, it will show, 99 - Rhoda Rizkalla says the newer single-breasted styles with four or five buttons look fash- ionable for evening on the right man. Lisogar, who is married and lives in North Vancouver, says a favorite look on her husband for a casual dinner is a pair of pleated, baggy trousers in a new silk-like cotton fabric, with a short-sleeved subtly patterned silk shirt which he bought at Georgio’s Menswear. She likes the fact that her hus- bend nas a sense of humor when he dresses very casually, wearing Mickey Mouse golf and T-shirts, but she warns that only confident men can pull off this look. eee Maureen Drew, executive direc- tor of Apparel British Columbia, ts in agreement with Rhoda Rizkalla, preferring a casually dressy look on aman. She says she is most attracted to a Ralph Lauren look — a nice blazer and new jeans —- with a little of their own style thrown fn. Drew, who is niarried and lives in North Vancouver, has a favorite outfit her husband v 2a Zonda Nellis sweater in black and eggplant with fine-quality black corduroy pants from Harry Rosen. She states: “P love black cash- mere blazers and [love jeans with denim shirts and cowboy boots.” She also says she loves fine leather - bombers worn in place of a suit jacket. She says she has noticed that men are wearing their suit trousers, shirts and ties to work with a dressy Photo submitted VANCOUVER MODEL Stephen Sumner knows how to dress. Suede shirt by Danier Leather. leather bomber and leaving their jackets at the office to slip them on when they arrive. Drew says that her husband dresses conservatively for work, but for Icisure time she encourages him to dress more fashionably in dressed-up casual clothes. She likes the casuals he owns from The Sporting Look, which include dressy shorts, textured shirts. ooo Deborah Tissington. co- owner/designer of Neto Leather, deesn't like suits. She prefers sepa- rates by high-quality European labels. “About four years ago, my hus- hand stopped wearing suits and switched to suit separates.” she adds. She is more attracted to men dressed casually, unless the occasion calls for a suit. Tissington, who lives in West Vancouver, likes her husband's navy blazer worn with grey or khaki baggy fine-wool pants by Gianfranco Ferre or Thierry Mugler, or paired with Calvin Klein jeans, which flatter his physique. Her husband recently purchased an oatmeal jacket and oatmeal and See Agent page 15 | Quay Notes Community Choir) “The North Shore’s Fun Choir” Pop, Show & Seasonal Music Attention all singers! Can you carry a tune? Love to sing? Monday evenings 7:30 - 9:30 pm Fall Season Starts September 19th Evening 980-7607 or Day 661-6427 for further information.