Dappered

Affordable Men's Style

  • Don’t Miss Anything
  • Start Here
  • Essentials Shop
  • Latest Deals
  • Style Scenarios
  • Reviews
  • Forum

Rank em’. Three Magazines That Cover Style

September 27, 2011 By Joe | Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

Here’s how this works.  Look at the options, pick your order, then leave your rankings in the comments section.  Feel free to explain why you placed what where.  This time around it’s three of the top magazines with a male target demo and spend some time covering style every month.  Rank them by order of preference.  Your favorite goes #1.
.

Esquire
It's not Ryan it's... well actually it is Ryan.

Seems to be the least concerned with clothes out of the three.  If Esquire someday ran an “anti-style” issue, where not one inch of print was dedicated to clothes, they’d still be able to pull it off.  And then some.  Recently got a cleaned up website.  Allows you to request copies free of cologne ads (although the smell free option can sometimes be real slow to the door.)

 

GQ
More about clothes, but is that good?

It feels like GQ spends more time on style, but still has plenty of articles that are extremely well worth the read.  Lots of slideshows on their website.  Lots.

 

Details
GQ's kid brother.

Does anyone actually subscribe to details?  Or do they survive purely on airport news stands and grocery store checkout lines?  More aggressive than GQ.  Sometimes eye rollingly so.

Remember, no one is forcing you to read any of these.  And if you’ve got a write in vote, leave it in the comments too.  Do you read these often?  Never?  Rankings go below.  Top photo credit

Filed Under: Clothing, Etc. Tagged With: details, Esquire, GQ, magazine, rank em

Continue the Conversation …

Want to share your thoughts on this article? Send us a tweet, join the discussion on Facebook, or start a discussion on Dappered Threads, our forum!

Don’t Miss Anything

Subscribe via email to get articles in your inbox or add Dappered on Flipboard. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or subscribe to push notifications to get alerts immediately.

New Here?

Well, welcome to Dappered. Here are what we consider the most useful posts on the site if you're looking to put a little more effort into your appearance. Just want to see our favorite menswear products? Shop our essentials here.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day

There will be other sales.

Steal Alert: Nordstrom Extra 25% off Sale Items Clearance Blowout

Steal Alert: Nordstrom Extra 25% off Sale Items Clearance Blowout

Uncle Nordy wants this stuff gone. Cashmere sweaters. Lots of chukkas. Plenty of Bonobos.

Best Posts of 2020: Thanks to our Contributors

Best Posts of 2020: Thanks to our Contributors

A thanks to all the guys that help us out.

Follow Dappered on Instagram »

Comments

  1. Jack Reno says

    September 27, 2011 at 2:23 AM

    #1+ GQ (Under Art Cooper. It’s been living off his ability ever since.)
    #1 GQ
    #2 Esquire (Also living off the principle of its great years. Started high so it hasn’t fallen as low as it might have.)
    #3 Details (Always trailing the back from very far back. Had a kind of flair in its ragpaper beginnings but too insular to ever really make an impact.)

  2. big_scooter says

    September 27, 2011 at 2:35 AM

    I’m not particularly amused by any of them.  Insipid articles, too many ads, and who the heck buys $450 dress shirts??  I’m going to hurl a rock at the next GQ writer who suggests a $400 windbreaker from J Crew as a “budget friendly alternative” to $2000 fashion-ey crap from Gucci/YSL/whoever else.

    The fact that you like Esquire makes me think I ought to give it another try, though.

  3. Kuzzy says

    September 27, 2011 at 4:31 AM

    Esquire 1, GQ 2, Details 3.

  4. Anonymous says

    September 27, 2011 at 5:19 AM

    I agree about the writing. Most of it is just manufactured, contrived crap. I actually like the ads though. In fact that may be the main reason I purchase one at the airport or something. 

  5. Matt says

    September 27, 2011 at 5:26 AM

    1. GQ (subscriber)
    2. Esquire (bookstore/newsstand purchase)
    3. Details (really long layover)

  6. Scott says

    September 27, 2011 at 5:58 AM

    1. Esquire- can’t afford a damn thing, but if I’m gonna dream, then it has great stuff that covers more than just clothes
    2. GQ- there really are some spectacular articles in there. As for fashion, I feel like it got really young recently, or I got really old
    3. Details- I suscribed back in its early days (like 1992). They botched it, I got one issue, they gave me the runaround and I have NEVER gotten another issue since out of principal.

  7. Mike N says

    September 27, 2011 at 5:58 AM

    #1 GQ – mainly because a couple years back they gave me this cover: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/gallery/rachel-bilson-gq-cover/

  8. Blue442 says

    September 27, 2011 at 6:08 AM

    I’m primarily basing this on online content, but:
    1) GQ
    2) Esquire
    3) Details

    GQ’s content is head and shoulders above the other two.

  9. Jason says

    September 27, 2011 at 6:17 AM

    #1 GQ – Subscriber… their iPad app is pretty slick
    #2 Esquire – Looked at it once in a while and it seemed okay
    #3 Details – Kind of embarrassing for males as a gender

  10. branxini says

    September 27, 2011 at 6:34 AM

    Neither. There is a special place in hell for the jerkoffs that write for these rags. But of the three, Details is particularly horrendous in terms of “style” and writing.

  11. Anonymous says

    September 27, 2011 at 6:37 AM

    I suppose my rank is the same as most people’s: GQ, Esquire, Details.

    But, despite the decent articles, I think GQ is a bloated advertising mess, and I agree with @bc3a7d5734592b6a64696ae9e2465239:disqus above, very few of the budget recommendations are actually in my budget. It’s good for ‘copy the look’ type stuff, but frankly that’s why I read Dappered et al and skip what’s in mags.

  12. Chris says

    September 27, 2011 at 6:43 AM

    I think we could have a new #1 with a Dappered Magazine.A fashion magazine that doesn’t require you to spend 1,200 for a sweater 4k for a watch and a 75,000 dollar car to top it off.

    Just think of all the people out there with todays economy that want to look great and give a fat wallet.

    I have been thinking of magazine ideas for a while now…

    But simple

    1. GQ
    2. Esquire3. Details (Wanna-be GQ)

    NEW 1 – Dappered

  13. awesometheo says

    September 27, 2011 at 7:06 AM

    GQ ftw in my book. Great articles, and their slideshows on the site are great. Before my journey into the promised land that is Dappered, GQ was where I spent the majority of my time.

  14. Anonymous says

    September 27, 2011 at 7:26 AM

    That’ll do it.

  15. Anonymous says

    September 27, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    I don’t subscribe to any (though tbh I do get Vogue in the mail), but I gotta agree with everyone else here…GQ, Esquire,

    Details.

  16. Linter says

    September 27, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    esquire and gq suck because if you’re unlucky you might actually stumble across some words in one of their stories, and their stories are the worst kind of fatuous drivel imaginable.  haven’t read details since the great, early james truman years, but it can’t be any worse than those other two, ipso facto details is numero uno!

  17. Guestwriter says

    September 27, 2011 at 7:42 AM

    just cancelled my subscriptions to all the three magazine.
    Utter rubbish these mags have become.

    Stick to blogs, much better.

  18. Frank Feldmann says

    September 27, 2011 at 7:42 AM

    The best magazine was “Classic Style” Magazine.  Unfortunately, it didn’t make it after publishing a handful of issues.  At 47, I am too old for any of those you mention, even though I don’t consider myself old at all.  (Plus, I live in the Midwest, not Manhattan.) 

  19. Charlie says

    September 27, 2011 at 7:48 AM

    GQ is better on fashion.   Esquire occasionally has some really good long-form articles.   All of them assume you’re in the top 5% or so of the country income-wise (or at least spend money on clothes like you are)I’ve often maintained that there is a huge opportunity for a fashion/lifestyle magazine targeting the currently under-served market of men who make less than 200k a year, don’t live in manhattan or fantasize about doing so, and didn’t volunteer for the Obama campaign.

  20. Reuben Cohen says

    September 27, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    I love GQ. Great style features and also often has really good journalism (I love their profile on Werner Herzog a few months ago). And their editor in chief, Jim Nelson, is from my hometown.
    Esquire’s alright, and it does cover men’s lifestyle more broadly, but I don’t need when it gets more raunchy. I could just get Maxim for that.
    I get Details because I got a free subscription for airline miles, but I barely even leaf through it, and it’s not worth much.

  21. Joe G. says

    September 27, 2011 at 7:51 AM

     I subscribe to all three, so I feel fairly qualified to weigh in.

    1. GQ – Nitpicks aside, I genuinely look forward flipping to through GQ every month. More than anybody else, they are totally immersed in men’s fashion. While they can certainly be hit or miss, there’s something about the pictorials – a visual “feel” to them (I think it’s the saturation of the colors) that I’ve yet to see duplicated in any print magazine or website. So hats off to GQ, for getting it right most of the time. Rating: 9 out of 10.

    2. Esquire – I probably enjoy Esquire’s articles (and “how-to” features) more than GQ, but their style coverage just doesn’t measure up. There’s something very pretentious, perhaps too formal about most of the menswear they feature. Whereas most GQ “looks” are cool and young, Esquire often borders on old and crotchety. It doesn’t help that they tend to solely focus on ridiculously expensive and exclusive pieces (ie. $5000 Kiton blazer) – GQ does too, but at least they balance it out with affordable stuff (i.e the best suits under $500). Their twice-yearly Big Black Book is almost entirely centered around fashion and makes for a great coffee table item. Rating: 7.75 out of 10.

    3. Details – Quite frankly, too over the top and “metro” for my tastes. Occasionally they hit it out of the park, but usually I think the clothes fit too tight, look too loud  or aren’t dressy enough. Article-wise though, they usually provide a very interesting read and seem to thrive on expose pieces. Rating: 6 out of 10.

    So, there you have it: a ranking of all 3 in my humblest of opinions. I also enjoy reading Complex (might be a little too hipster/ hypebeast-influenced for most on here) and Men’s Health (great magazine in general, and especially so when they cover fashion).

    I collect men’s magazines actually, so there’s even a few defunct and lesser known ones like Classic Style and Men’s Vogue that I pick up occasionally. Back issues can be found on eBay most of the time. They are a few notches below GQ for comparison’s sake. Supposedly, Japanese menswear magazines blow everybody else out of the water, but I haven’t dabbled in those just yet.

  22. Eric Henao says

    September 27, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire, and GQ. Details can suck it.

  23. BenR says

    September 27, 2011 at 8:10 AM

    I had some gay friends in college who got these magazines (mostly GQ and Details) as an excuse to look at male models and expensive clothes. Personally I thought the magazines themselves were a little offensive. They were basically misogynistic, homophobic, and snobbish – the homophobia was particularly stunning to me since it seemed as though, beneath their hetero trappings, these mags are really targeted primarily toward gay guys. 

    The articles, as some have mentioned above, were completely insipid and contrived. Ground-breaking journalism about some random author’s daring adventures in the world of anal sex! The secret lives of blow-up sex dolls! Those are the two that specifically come to mind, and no, I’m not making them up. Early Playboy-level writing, these aren’t. They’re not even close to Vanity Fair standards.

    Yeah, these magazines featured some interesting eye candy in the form of cool clothes. But mostly it’s just ads surrounded by bad writers who have confused being provocative with being crude and unfunny.

    I subscribe to the New Yorker for my weekly dose of news and non-fic literature. I browse the internet for cool clothes.

  24. Brad B. says

    September 27, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    1. Esquire
    2. GQ
    X. Details
    I don’t view Esquire and GQ as a shopping guide, but a style guide. They’re great for trend spotting and giving you ideas about how to move your wardrobe and style forward in creative ways. They effectively serve that purpose without having to actually purchase any of the featured clothes. I think both do that well, but I prefer Esquire because I think the long-form profiles and short-fiction are far better than any of the articles in GQ.

  25. BenR says

    September 27, 2011 at 8:34 AM

    Heads up y’all. 40% off Banana Republic with code “BRTUES40” through 4pm EST today. I just picked up three sweaters for $60 total.

  26. NKC says

    September 27, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    I know Details isn’t getting a lot of love here… but I usually find a 1 year subscription for $5 on Amazon. For that price, I’m perfectly content. 

  27. Adrien Davis says

    September 27, 2011 at 9:08 AM

    I subscribe to all 3. So I’m familiar with each mag enough to know their pluses and minuses.

    1. Esquire (Along with their Black Book, they tend to hold on a timeless principle in the style choices, which I like)
    2. GQ (a little more trendy)
    3. Details (full blown trendiness)

    All 3 are heavily commercialized however.

  28. Derrel says

    September 27, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    GQ, Esquire, Details. I’ve unsubscribed from Details TWICE and they just keep coming to my house. I haven’t paid for it in over a year. Something is fishy about that.

  29. Anonymous says

    September 27, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    1. Esquire – the stuff they feature’s way out of my price range, but it gives me ideas for what to look for in a more reasonable budget
    2. GQ – I pick this up from time to time, but don’t feel I pull as much from it as I do with Esquire
    X. Details – never.

  30. Anonymous says

    September 27, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    Esquire >>>> GQ >>>>>>>>>> Details 

    (and shame on you if you’re over 25 & Details is your go-to style mag)

  31. Daniel Gaston says

    September 27, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    I think I tend to rank it as Esquire, GQ, then Details but Esquire and GQ are both quite closely ranked for me, with details a distant third.

    I tend to like Esquire’s articles and find the clothing ads as more “well something similar to this might look good” than anything. But I don’t subscribe to any of them, and rarely purchase them either so YMMV.

  32. Chris R says

    September 27, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    GQ
    Esquire
    Details
    I subscribe to GQ and Esquire abd enjoy both. However since I do mainly subscribe for the clothes and style I picked GQ #1. Tempted to subscribe to details jus to see what its all about I get those cheap subscriptions offers all the time since I subscribe to GQ.

  33. Chris R says

    September 27, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    GQ
    Esquire
    Details
    I subscribe to GQ and Esquire abd enjoy both. However since I do mainly subscribe for the clothes and style I picked GQ #1. Tempted to subscribe to details jus to see what its all about I get those cheap subscriptions offers all the time since I subscribe to GQ.

  34. Chris R says

    September 27, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    GQ
    Esquire
    Details
    I subscribe to GQ and Esquire abd enjoy both. However since I do mainly subscribe for the clothes and style I picked GQ #1. Tempted to subscribe to details jus to see what its all about I get those cheap subscriptions offers all the time since I subscribe to GQ.

  35. Ryan says

    September 27, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    Esquire is far better than GQ … and I’ve never heard of Details.  As far as style goes, Esquire leans toward timeless clothing and worn, more unique products.  I subscribe to GQ as well and I rarely see anything in its pages that doesn’t look like it came right out of my local mall.  I also think GQ is geared more toward the metrosexual, more effeminate crowd.

    As far as writing goes, I think Esquire wins again.  Their “How To Be A Man” series, for example, is always thoughtful and instructive.

  36. Ryan says

    September 27, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    Esquire is far better than GQ … and I’ve never heard of Details.  As far as style goes, Esquire leans toward timeless clothing and worn, more unique products.  I subscribe to GQ as well and I rarely see anything in its pages that doesn’t look like it came right out of my local mall.  I also think GQ is geared more toward the metrosexual, more effeminate crowd.

    As far as writing goes, I think Esquire wins again.  Their “How To Be A Man” series, for example, is always thoughtful and instructive.

  37. Ryan says

    September 27, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    Esquire is far better than GQ … and I’ve never heard of Details.  As far as style goes, Esquire leans toward timeless clothing and worn, more unique products.  I subscribe to GQ as well and I rarely see anything in its pages that doesn’t look like it came right out of my local mall.  I also think GQ is geared more toward the metrosexual, more effeminate crowd.

    As far as writing goes, I think Esquire wins again.  Their “How To Be A Man” series, for example, is always thoughtful and instructive.

  38. Derek says

    September 27, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    Esquire is obviously the best. GQ’s style coverage is too much fashion, not enough style, if you know what I mean. And Esquire has published some of the best magazine articles of all time. They’re all over this list: http://www.kk.org/cooltools/the-best-magazi.php

    Both magazines assume I make three or four times as much money as I do, which is obnoxious. But that’s what Dappered’s Steal this Style is for!

    Details…lol.

  39. j.r. says

    September 27, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    Details is #3 – thats all that really matters. I will be sure to find time to read the other 2

  40. j.r. says

    September 27, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    Details is #3 – thats all that really matters. I will be sure to find time to read the other 2

  41. John Cheever says

    September 27, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    Anyone have an opinion on the different BR v-neck sweaters? There’s the Extra-fine merino tipped sweater, the Silk/cotton/cashmere v-neck sweater and the Merino v-neck sweater.

  42. HelloNurse says

    September 27, 2011 at 10:50 AM

    Any magazine that can boast a back catalog with pieces from the likes of Hemingway and Fitzgerald will always have a place on the coffee table.

  43. HelloNurse says

    September 27, 2011 at 10:50 AM

    Any magazine that can boast a back catalog with pieces from the likes of Hemingway and Fitzgerald will always have a place on the coffee table.

  44. HelloNurse says

    September 27, 2011 at 10:50 AM

    Any magazine that can boast a back catalog with pieces from the likes of Hemingway and Fitzgerald will always have a place on the coffee table.

  45. Joe says

    September 27, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    I love the visual representation here.  Well played.

  46. Joe says

    September 27, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    I love the visual representation here.  Well played.

  47. Joe says

    September 27, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    “these mags are really targeted primarily toward gay guys”  What?  C’mon.  One of my best friends who’s gay and subscribes to Esquire, used to catch some good natured hell from his ex for getting his “straight” magazine every month.  Pretty sure you’re off there Ben.

    And your examples of articles seem to be way off base as well.  Or limited only to Details.  I don’t remember any of those from Esquire and GQ (I don’t read Details) but maybe I just skipped over em’.

  48. Joe says

    September 27, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    So, you’re saying you’re not a fan huh? 

  49. Joefamous says

    September 27, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    GQ>>Esquire>>>Details
    I subscribe to GQ(3 years) and Esquire(recently) and don’t read either as a shopping guide but as a style guide. I like looking at both for inspiration and occasionally for places to shop and things to buy. There have been some good finds like my eyeglasses from Warby Parker($95 shipped w prescription lenses!) that were featured in GQ. I always thought that GQ was a bit more classic style with modern cuts and Esquire was a bit more “out there” so I rank them with GQ over Esquire. Details is fine for casual clothing inspiration I guess, but I only buy it if I can’t find anything else to read at an airport.

  50. Sean Fitzgerald says

    September 27, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    I just ordered Esquire (3 years) last week.  I haven’t read the others, so I don’t think I can really vote on this.

  51. Joefamous says

    September 27, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    I agree with in thinking that $5000 outfits they regularly throw out there are ridiculous. Who can afford such things?? Certainly not the people who read this site, and if there are those who can afford it here why would they pay that much when affordable options exist?? I don’t care for high fashion labels but do look at their ads and features in mags as inspiration for style. For example, I’ve seen plenty of casual blazers for $350+ in GQ that I liked a lot but obviously can’t afford. I always keep my eyes open for good deals on similar styles and ended up with a nice patch pocket khaki blazer from LEC for $40. Is it as good as a $400 version by whoever? I don’t really care because I’m 90% happier that I paid 10% of the price!

  52. Aquila says

    September 27, 2011 at 11:20 AM

    GQ has always been above and beyond the other two for me, but Esquire comes in second. I’m afraid I don’t have enough experience with Details to form an opinion.

  53. BenR says

    September 27, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Maybe I am off base, as it’s been several years since I looked at any men’s magazines. But what little I remember is that the articles were bad and only my gay friends were subscribers. That’s all I got.

  54. ron combs says

    September 27, 2011 at 11:52 AM

    I subscribe to all three. #1 Esquire, #2 GQ, #3 Playboy, #4 Details.

  55. Linter says

    September 27, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    and let’s not forget tom wolfe.  wolfe and his esquire editor clay felker started so-called new journalism and ran with it for a long time.  but that was then and this is now and the gulf betwixt the two is vast, i tell you, vast!

  56. Anonymous says

    September 27, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    Homophobic magazines targeting gay men? 

  57. Christian Buckler says

    September 27, 2011 at 12:27 PM

    Esquire, GQ, then Details.

    Esquire may not focus as much on style, but that’s actually what I value most about it. I’ve read a lot of interesting articles in Esquire as a subscriber.

  58. Jpeezy14 says

    September 27, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    GQ #1,2, and 3.  Style-wise, they make things look better (i.e. fit, combinations, etc.)  and everyone has already talked about their articles.  Excellent journalism, month in and month out. 

    Esquire has too much fluff and can be pretty pretentious.

  59. Matthew Nichols says

    September 27, 2011 at 12:53 PM

    I subscribe to Esquire and always put off a subscription to GQ, but its a close second. Details doesn’t enter in the picture for me, might as well be Nylon for Guys (Oh wait, that crap does exist).

    I’m a whore for brands with great iconography and history so Esquire fits that niche as far as men’s magazines. My collection of 1950s and 1960s Esquire (and Playboy) are my favorite magazines for cover art alone. The articles are (mostly) still as timely and/or interesting as they were the day they were printed. While today’s Esquire is more of a flip book with a chance of decent articles, I can’t ignore the history in the pages. Will some 20 year old 50-60 years down the line cherish my current Esquires as much as I do my vintage ones? Highly doubtful, unfortunately, but I still buy it based on heritage.

    My biggest gripe, however, with Esquire is that so much content is doubled up on their website that often times by the time it hits my mail box I’ve already read everything interesting in it via Flipboard on my iPad.

  60. BenR says

    September 27, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    Off topic again (sorry, I’m super lame) but for those still searching for a quilted nylon Ryan Gosling-alike jacket, I stumbled across this just now: http://shop.thehundreds.com/p-1168-stitches-jacket.aspx

    No contrasting details, no scorpion, but otherwise looks pretty close.

  61. BenR says

    September 27, 2011 at 2:10 PM

    I got nothin’. These will be the first BR sweaters I’ve owned.

  62. TheBarNone says

    September 27, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    #1 – Esquire.  Not only do I get it for $8 a year but I also get it as a gift for a friend.  I enjoy AJ Jacob’s writing as well as cooking and drinking info.

    #2 – GQ.  I read it twice a year.

    #3 – That other one.  TIME?  US News and World Report?  Oh, Details.  Don’t read it.

  63. Tom says

    September 27, 2011 at 2:55 PM

    1. Esquire.
    2. GQ (waaaaay) down the list.
    3. Hello? Anybody home.

    And my sentiments are similar to my brethren here. That said – if “Dappered” were to unveil a men’s magazine, what would the similarities and differences be compared with the three you mentioned?

  64. hdm says

    September 27, 2011 at 3:00 PM

     There’s so much style inspiration to be found online, I haven’t really found a reason to subscribe to any of them. I have glanced at some of their websites, and wasn’t overly impressed.

  65. Joe says

    September 27, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    With all due respect Ben, yeah, you’re off base.  If it’s been a few years, then maybe you’re remembering different magazines, etc…

  66. BenR says

    September 27, 2011 at 3:19 PM

    Nope… it was definitely GQ and Details. My memory ain’t that bad.

  67. Cannon says

    September 27, 2011 at 4:29 PM

    I like Esuire more than GQ, but GQ is still pretty nice. I don’t even remember ever reading an issue of Details.

    Side note: Anyone know how to get a subscription to Empire in the US for less than $60?

    I also like TIME and Rolling Stone

  68. Matt says

    September 27, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    I subscribe to GQ and Details, Esquire is my airport/drugstore pickup.

    Are we discounting that Men’s Health isn’t just about working out, but also includes style issues?The one with Matt Damon and Emily Blunt on the cover had better tips than that month’s GQ in my opinion…

  69. Joe says

    September 27, 2011 at 6:08 PM

    Your blanket categorization is still way off.  If they really were all that terrible, more people would be saying as such.

  70. Anonymous says

    September 27, 2011 at 7:55 PM

    I’m really surprised by the number of people picking GQ. I’ve received GQ and Esquire for a while now, and by far Esquire is a better magazine. Better journalism, more classic styling, actual reporting on current events and topics. I’m never ashamed to start a conversation with, “I actually read an article about that in Esquire. . . ” GQ is just more of a middle ground for a guy growing out of Maxim, but not ready to read the articles in Esquire. At any rate:

    1- Esquire
    2- GQ
    3- Details (Due to a lack of personal experience with it.)

  71. Cy Serrano says

    September 28, 2011 at 1:26 AM

    1 – GQ
    2 – Esquire
    3 – Details

  72. Jessydiamond says

    September 28, 2011 at 7:09 AM

    Never heard of Details before. I bought a subscription to Esquire a month ago, still haven’t received my first issue but hey, for something like $15 a year, can’t complain and I enjoy their website. I like the GQ website, too. They kinda are THE reference, I heard a few time about “the GQ look”. 

  73. sisyphus says

    September 28, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    I second the Dappered magazine idea!

  74. Kittiwake30 says

    September 29, 2011 at 7:35 AM

    Esquire, above all. Not only is a subscription very cheap, it’s well written, functional and boasts the best roster of writers. Anyone who dismissed the content as insipid or poorly written needs to realize there’s more to life than drooling over wingtip/trouser combinations. Esquire is a celebration of what it is to be a man, not men’s style. Details is Cosmo for metrosexuals. I wouldn’t use it to line a hamster cage. I fact, it was Esquire that gave me a gentle prod to up my game in terms of personal style. I will agree with the criticism that it sets the bar too high with the price of the featured clothes, but I’ve arrived that this is to cater to its higher end advertisers, as its style director, Nick Sullivan, advocates quality but seems to recognize the clothes they feature are slightly out of tune with the readership. Dappered is the ultimate middle ground, also brilliantly written and relevant. I would have to say anyone who doesn’t enjoy Esquire is probably cuffed with fashion horseblinders and does not care much about the world and our own place in it. I figured most of us with a Y chromosome recognize there’s a hell of a lot more to life than clothes and Esquire delivers on all accounts.

  75. Ryan N. says

    September 29, 2011 at 11:40 AM

    I’m glad someone else mentioned Men’s Health – they actually do a pretty decent job of mixing in some style bits each month, as well as a dedicated style issue during the year. Concentrated and to the point suggestions, not much fluff or excessive biasing, if I remember correctly.

  76. Ryan N. says

    September 29, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    Oh, and my three ranks would be:
    1. Dappered
    2. Primer
    3. Valet

  77. Roger O. Thornhill says

    September 30, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    1. Esquire
    2. GQ
    3. Details

    You guys have to remember that the items shown in all three of these magazines are high fashion, but they’re meant to be viewed as templates. That’s the point: look how good these models look wearing ridiculously expensive items A, B and C. It’s up to us to figure out what the most practical options are for our own A, B and C. I know that this site covers quite a bit of affordable options of almost everything that the magazines offer. Thanks to Dappered and other sites, we can now do that.

  78. John says

    October 1, 2011 at 4:18 PM

    The Atlantic Monthly is another magazine, alongside Harper’s, that has decent to “good” non-fiction writing.

  79. John says

    October 1, 2011 at 4:39 PM

    Cornell West on style. There are other interviews on similar topic with him.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SHcJPMvmzU

    I rarely get my world news from style magazines. They aren’t the proper source material made for it in my eyes. As others have said, I use GQ and Esquire as guides alongside dappered.com (my brother subscribes to GQ so I get that for free). I have no interest in Details. If I want world news it’ll go like this:

    Foreign Affairs (subscribe)
    Wilson Quarterly (subscribe)
    The Economist (peruse at book/magazine stand)
    American Scholar (individual purchase greatly depends on articles in each volume)

    Harper’s (non-fiction mostly)
    Atlantic Monthly (peruse at book/magazine stand)

Men’s Fashion or Affordable Style?

Men's Fashion or Affordable Style?

Fashion is temporary and expensive. Style is timeless and affordable. Dappered® helps you work the retail system so that you can be comfortable, look sharp, and save money.

Want to share a great product? Email Us.
Continue the discussion at Dappered Threads.
For a fit perspective, see Joe's measurements.
Make sure to read our affiliate disclosure.

Connect with Dappered

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Most Popular on Dappered

  • Steal Alert: Nordstrom Extra 25% off Sale Items Clearance Blowout
  • adidas End of Season, Allen Edmonds Warehouse Sale, & More – The Thurs. Men’s Sales Handful
  • Best Posts of 2020: A lot of watches, some shoes, and being a stylish dad
  • Best Posts of 2020: Cool Weather and Welcome Warmth
  • Steal Alert: 97% Wool / 3% Spandex Dress Pants from The Tie Bar for $25
  • Best Posts of 2020: Athleisure, Activewear, and Hot Weather

Popular Topics

  • Best dress shirts to own
  • Best looking watches under $100
  • Best men’s dress shoes under $200
  • Nike Killshot sneaker alternatives
  • How to wear a suit without a tie
  • Suitsupply store review
  • Suitsupply Blue Line review
  • J. Crew Factory Thompson suit review
  • How much does it cost to tailor a suit?
  • Dopp kit essentials
  • Brown shoes with gray pants
  • Men’s style buying guide

RSS Latest on Dappered Threads

  • AE Dalton too stiff
  • SuitSupply Linen Tuxedo
  • hiking shoes for AE dress shoe dress boot guy.
  • Blazer aaaand...
  • Remember when people used to post things here?

Copyright © 2021 Dappered.com | Dappered, LLC | Dappered® is a registered trademark of Dappered, LLC

Hat tip: Magazine Pro Theme On Genesis Framework

Dappered does not collect or sell its users personal information | Disclosures: Privacy and Affiliates, Gilt.com, FTC

WPE

We work with partners that use cookies to understand how visitors use our site. Find out more.