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By MONICA CORCORAN
Suits, stiff drinks, men -- they sure don't make them like they used to.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Cary Grant's death, but if got
a glimpse of many guys in Hollywood, he might say, "Tigers have tails.
Tuck in that shirt."
Why don't men look sharp these days? Richard Torregrossa, author
of stellar new tribute "Cary Grant: A Celebration of Style, "laments
the modern-day lack of sartorial renegades.
There's too much pressure to be trendy and wear jeans, T-shirts
and cropped hair," he says. "Men should look for style models
that they can imitate."
Peppered with photos of Grant at his best, Torregrossa's book is like a Thomas Guide
for style seekers. Giorgio Armani pens the foreword; Michael Kors offers an afterword.
Tastiest factoid: Cary Grant wore women's nylon panties for comfort.
"The idea of style doesn't exist anymore. Everyone wants to look alike," says Peter
Bogdanovich, who shares his Grant stories in these pages and in his book, "Who
the Hell's In It: Conversations with Hollywood's Legendary Actors." On his own
signature neckerchief, he insists: "It's not an ascot. It's just a bandana and it costs $3."
For Grant, a distinctive personal accent was also a canny way to disguise a flaw.
He often wore his shirt collars turned up to hide a broad neck. He also refined his
accent, walk and manner to reflect the man he aspired to be.
"Everyone wants to be Cary Grant," he once said. "Even I want to be Cary Grant."
Off the rack is A-OK. Many of Grant's suits came from Savile Row, but he also favored
white button down shirts ($63 to $148) and blazers (starting at $468) from Brooks Brothers.
A little off the top, bub. The style icon didn't rely on a pricey hairdresser for his neat coif.
The $6 cut from his local Santa Monica barber suited him. A trim at Pascal's Salon in Beverly
Hills will run you $15.
Black and tan. Grant never dyed his dark hair. In later years, he opted for gray suits to
compliment the tinsel in his temples. His Tahitian complexion - a product of serious sun
idolatry - never looked fake. For a realistic glow, try Clarins Self Tanning Gel ($29.50).
Got overcooked? Get St. Tropez Self-Tan Remover ($15).