Details, Men's Style Manual by Daniel Peres (2007, Paperback)

Men about to make the jump from college to the real world may want to consider picking this book up in between prepping their resume and searching for a job. Though the guidelines in this 270-page manual are applicable to any man, the book best serves guys trying to make that transition from teen gear to more sophisticated styles as smooth as possible.

Daniel Peres, the editor of Details Magazine, leaves no section of fashion untouched. From shirts to pants to accessories, Peres gives the reader the crucial unwritten rules to effectively making these items work for you. Each item gets a chapter devoted to it. Within that chapter, Peres examines the variations of the item, where they are best used, and how to blend them with other clothes.

Each chapter also includes pointers on how to ensure you find the right fit for the piece of clothing in question. This is helpful for areas such as suits and dress shirts; areas where many men folly when it comes to finding the perfect fit. Each section contains some fashion mistakes to avoid, as well.

Perhaps the biggest plus the Details: Men's Style Manual has going for it is the full-color format of the book. The layout is simple and accessible and peppered with color photographs of each piece of clothing Peres discusses. It's much easier to consider something like the many variations of pants out there when each type gets its own color photo.

The only drawback of the manual is the inclusion of many celebrity-contributed rules of style. Contributers include the likes of Kenneth Cole and Shawn "Diddy" Combs. Because these collect the opinions of several individuals, there's quite a bit of conflicting information here. Thankfully, these portions only take up a few pages throughout the book.

Though some of the fashion advice seems a bit stuffy (Peres strongly suggests avoiding bootleg jeans, for instance), the book is an invaluable tool for men who want to take their wardrobe to a more sophisticated level. The styles and rules in the book will, for the most part, get you out of dressing like a teen without giving you a conservative appearance. If you don't know how to properly tie a necktie, pick sunglasses that best compliment the shape of your face, or know how to pick the right suit for the right occasion, the Details: Men's Style Manual warrants a place on your bookshelf.