Just because designer Tom Ford is a homosexual does not mean he is not a gentleman. “Manners are very important and actually knowing when things are appropriate,” he tells AnOther Man magazine in his rules for the 21st century man. “I always open doors for women, I carry their coat, I make sure that they’re walking on the inside of the street. Stand up when people arrive at and leave the dinner table.” And also: “A man should never wear shorts in the city. Flip-flops and shorts in the city are never appropriate. Shorts should only be worn on the tennis court or on the beach.” Hmmm, but what if the city is on the beach? What do I pack for Rio, Tom?! [photo via]
valentine ghost
I don’t disagree.
MikeE
I won’t care.
Miss Understood
I absolutely disagree. It’s hot, wear shorts. Who cares about his pissy fashion rules.
GreenleeGazette
I can’t agree. I live in Las Vegas, where it hits 100 or more starting some time in April. Besides, trying to impose that rule in this city would be nigh impossible. You see men in shorts here all year round, and just about everywhere. As a fan of exposed male flesh, I’m all for it. Now, flipflops on a plane, or short-shorts? There, I’d agree, except for the REALLY sexy.
christopher di spirito
Sorry Tom, but the “Queer as Folk” sailed years ago.
JusticeontheRocks
Dear Tom: I’ve seen your legs. YOU should never wear shorts anywhere.
bearchewtoy75
I used to have that attitude about shorts, too…. then I moved to New Orleans in the summer…. it took two days to change my mind!
bearchewtoy75
@GreenleeGazette: What’s wrong with flip flops on a plane? I’d rather have those because you have to smell people’s feet in security.
scott ny'er
@Miss Understood: @Chupa Chups: Agreed. So woman can wear skirts and shorts but men can’t. Tom Ford can eff off.
I hope he’s surrounded by men in shorts and flip flops all the time. And I hope they smell badly(oh, but he might like that part). And fart around him loudly.
Chaq
LOL, on the “tennis court”!!
Look, if Tom wants to live in a fairytale world then fair enough, he can afford it, and seemingly has no shame, but the rest of us don’t all live his mythical lifestyle, spending summer in the Hamptons, and winter skiing in Aspen; our lives aren’t peppered with weekends away scouring Parisian fleamarkets in the morning, lunch and cocktails with billionaire “friends” in Dubai, finishing up with a couture show or two in the evening.
Most of us work pretty dull jobs, live in cheap accommodation, have “real” friends we can count on one hand, and relax at night by watching tv or surfing the net.
I get that he’s promoting an aspirational lifestyle, but we plebs are, ironically, his real market, the ones to fill his coffers with fragrance and accessory purchases. We’re the real money, not his several bespoke customers, and he should mind that he doesn’t alienate his market with consistent and thoughtless drivel – people do *eventually* get sick of being patronised…
Conrad
I love Tom Ford trying to police me and my short shorts!
vinnie
I don’t mind shorts in the city. I live in Dallas after all, and the Texas sun can be brutal. But a major pet peeve of mine is men wearing shorts in a bar or restaurant (fast food excluded) after dark. I once heard some designer say men should never have on shorts in a drinking/dining establishment after 6pm. I hate to sound like a priss, but I agree.
tazz602
I agree with his point on dressing appropriately, being polite and a gentleman, but really, shorts??!! LMAO – I’d like to see him spend May – October here in Phoenix and then say that again.
ggreen
Tom Ford who champions the effete silhouette for men, turning men’s business suites into ladies pantsuits of the 1970s. Cinched jackets. Hip hugger, low rise, floodwater length slacks and no socks with dress shoes.
I will agree about the beachwear in urban areas. It looks reiculous. Men who get treated like the village whore because they dressed that way shouldn’t complain about it.
valentine ghost
Christ, a lot of pissy queens here. A fashion designer can’t have an opinion on fashion without being a sexist homophobic elitist? Holy hell.
I live in Miami, and I agree, shorts almost always look awful. People should try to look their best, and their best rarely – if ever – includes shorts. I usually go out in light jeans or canvas pants if it’s really that disturbingly hot out. I haven’t worn a pair of shorts in years and I honestly don’t feel like I’m missing anything.
Red Meat
Fuck you, I want to see those sexy guy legs.
Tony
Wear what you want. FUCK Tom Ford! Gays have always done what they want. That’s what makes us special.
Mike
Mr Ford should know that the true and age old way to walk a women on the street is for her to be on the outside, as it dates back to the Middle Ages, when piss pots were tossed out windows, and it was a gentleman’s duty to make sure the piss landed on him and not the lady…just thought he should know, since he thinks he’s the go-to guy on etiquette, maybe he should read Miss Manner’s Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behaviour…it’s actually a really good read if you can get through it, which focuses on American Manners as opposed to European, not much difference, save Americans are never supposed to bow to royalty, it’s rude to, though a head tip can be acceptable…
JusticeontheRocks
@valentine ghost: Sure he’s entitled to an opinion. And we’re entitled to tell him his opinion is garbage.
And who are you to call anyone a prissy queen?
Cam
Oh PLEASE!!!! This guy has appeared naked in magazines in his own ads and he wants to talk about outdated dress codes?
That is the desperate attempt of somebody who grew up out in some small town reading Town and Country Magazine trying to fit in with the old style east coast blue bloods from 50 years ago.
Franky
As if I’m wearing pants in the summer. It’s hot outside. It’s a whole new season which gives me access to a whole new part of my wardrobe. Some guys really can’t wear shorts, or they just don’t know which ones will actually look good, but I take care of myself and I sure as hell am gonna show leg in the summer. For the manners, yes I have manners. Mind you I’ll hold push the door open for anyone if you’re close behind. I’ll hold doors open for others to go through only if you’re right behind friends or family, or you’re old or would otherwise have a harder time doing it yourself. As for the sides of the road, you walk on the side you walk on. That’s just ridiculous.
hf2hvit
I get disgusted when Tom Ford shows so much…Tom Ford
Zach
I don’t completely agree with him, but shorts do have an informal quality to them. I tend to employ them sparingly.
And flip flops are very bad for the feet; sandals or deck shoes look and feel much better.
jason
Oh, so it’s OK for women to show leg, is it, Tom? You hypocrite! You’re a typical gay male hypocrite, Tom Ford.
I don’t like this clothing double standard wherein women are allowed to get away with things that men aren’t. We have gay male fashion designers like Tom Ford to thank for the drivel that supports this double standard.
Tom Ford can vamoose for all I care. Go and retire to the mansion you built from the money of women who were deluded into buying your over-priced items.
Jeffree
I would do Tom Ford in a heartbeat, & I would politely ask him stay mute during the act. Once he saw my legs, he would immediately realize he is very wrong about the shorts, and would immediately design a new line for leg-alicious such as myself…..
I would however support a Constitutional amendment preventing men from wearing cropped pants a.k.a. Capri pants, that only my Euro-trâsh friends can carry off w/o looking redonkulous.
Charles
When I read comments like this all I hear is whiners who are clearly jealous of his fame and money.
Joetx
I’m disgusted Tom Ford gets the pub that he does. He’s just another shallow gay designer.
Rob
Regardless of what I think of his fashion advice, it never hurts to be polite. To men OR women. I always hold the door open for people behind me, I stand up when people walk into the room, etc.
MTiffany
“Shorts should only be worn on the tennis court or on the beach.”
Wow, I can hardly fathom why people think gays are all rich and shallow, what with us all having tennis courts at our beach homes…
David Ehrenstein
I agree with him about flip-flops, but not about shorts.
Nico
Oh surely he’s joking…. I agree flip flops in the city are terrible, but for us urban dwellers, being able to look at good looking legs is an absolute fucking right. I’m afraid I spend no time at the Tennis Courts or at Cap d’antibes or fire island. He’s sounding like a total douche in fag clothing…..
Mario V.
Mr Ford touched someone’s nerve. I understand his comments.
I’m not rude but it’s easy to spot American tourists based on dress sense and sometimes body types in cosmopolitan cities around the world. Millionaire or not.
The are fabrics, cuts, leathers suitable for summer months.
Zack
you need nice feet for flip flops,
Armand
Dear Tom,
Your ad campaign reeked of narcissism. Like the ad with your butt cheeks galore? Three words for you:
Work out more.
And since when did we fabulous gahyz ever take fashion advice from fashion designers? Sure we wear their brand but we mix and match to our liking with other brands and no-names from Macy’s 😉
If we shouldn’t wear flip-flops and shorts in the city and blah blah, I would have checked myself in communist Russia pre-1980s and done a brown bag as a party dress.
Wait… I think they still do that in China and North Korea.
Armand
P.S. I agree with Ford’s polite mannerism pointers.
Always hold the door for the woman regardless of your sexual orientation or preference (for those who are inebriated and feel it’s a great way to explore his/her sexuality. teeheehee).
Mark in Noosa
Etiquette manners and polite behaviour never go out of style and I agree completely with him on that issue. However, shorts and flip flops, not so much. Tom, come to Queensland where it tops 100-110ºF and the humidity is about 90% – – if I don’t have a meeting to go to then you bet your ass I’m wearing shorts. In a business meeting, of course not, but if I’m out enjoying myself then I’m in my shorts and flip flops. End of story.
And by the way Tom, I teach deportment.
scott ny'er
@JusticeontheRocks: He sounds like THE prissy queen.
@Cam: That’s a really good point. I’m not sure if his nude ass in ads is really polite and proper for society. And I’m sure a lot of his slutty ads with naked models are also not proper for society.
Cam
@Mario V.:
Yes Mario, you can spot the American Tourists and guess what….We can spot the European tourists as well, you know, with their dark socks falling down into dress shoes with slack shorts etc…
Your comment is beyong worthless. Of COURSE you can spot us…you know why? We’re from a DIFFERENT CULTURE THAN YOU! We’re going to look different….fool.
As for the guy saying that everybody here is just jealous of Ford……….um….yeah, that must be it.
Jukadiie
annnnnd next week he’ll probably pick that exact thing to wear out lol
valentine ghost
@scott ny’er: @JusticeontheRocks: Hmm, doesn’t seem like either of you can read too well. One, I said “pissy,” as in hysterical and easily upset. Tell me that wasn’t a justified observation based on some of these comments, which, Two, happen to be the ones that comment was directed at. Disagreeing with his opinion is one thing. Feeling personally slighted by his opinion and offended enough to attack him for anything related to his person at all is laughable. Claims of sexism, chauvinism, hypocrisy, and homophobia because he doesn’t think guys look as good in shorts as they do in pants when out in public? If you don’t think that’s a bit hysterical, you are reading more into his comments than what they merit.
Wow.
justiceontherocks
@valentine ghost: I read fairly well. Unfortunately I just wasted several moments using that skill with the shrill hysterical drivel you wrote.
Ford is entitled to his opinion. We’re entitled to call bullshit on his sexism. And you, well youKre entitled to be an annoying pissy queen.
FouFou
For all that I care…Tom Ford can come and clean my windows and then my fridge
gregger
Tom Ford is an asshole. Telling people a few years back that he was “thinking of falling in love with a woman” and the collective gay world and its fags hags said “yeah with a big enough PENIS to satisfy you!!”
I’ve not given much credence to anything he might have said after that mess.
Patrick
Sounds like he’s doing a Derek Blasburg for us…annoying.
Cam
Hey Tom,
you still sound like that desperate little kid who wishes he was born into some old style blue blood family. Stop trying to cling to some world you created in your head back when you were 12. It doesn’t exist, it never did.
scott ny'er
@valentine ghost: Did he say that, “he doesn’t think guys look as good in shorts as they do in pants when out in public?” I read he deemed it “inappropriate.” Which again is interesting since he parades his naked butt in ads. I suppose that is appropriate (i’m being sarcastic here for the record)?
Oh and right before commandment #5, is #4… on how not too be pretentious. I think it’s a little late for him on that one. See the irony between #4 and #5.
Joe
I agree completely with flipflops. They look ridiculous on men anywhere else than the beach. Shorts, I like.
Scott Bonzitski
Sorry Tom, you do not define me and if I have a great body [if] I will wear what I damn please. I do not cater to celebrities nor anyone else. I am my own man, set my own rules. I have respect and do not appear “slutty”. You, on the other hand, have issues and should seek counsel…SB
Bobby
What a fuckin’ idiot. I wear shorts every day during summer with sandals and a tank top. LOL I dress for me and no one else.
Scott Bonzitski
FlipFlops are HOT! (as long as it’s NOT a politician!)…SB
kueerduck
how many bull dykes do you think want a door opened for them? tom ford sports a faked makeup’d four o’cock shadow-is that in good taste? i wonder if he approves of me free ballin it.
TheRealAdam
I’ve never understood going out of your way to be polite to women. Chivalry is stupid. Politeness, courtesy, and good manners should not be reserved for just one gender. Besides, Tom Ford is really just advocating methods for heterosexual courtship, and that’s really what that whole chivalry thing comes down to.
How about people just treat others with respect, regardless of gender?
mconyc
@Cam: I couldn’t have said it better.
jason
Perhaps Tom Ford would look ugly in shorts, what with his spindle legs.
In any case, keep in mind that Tom is part of the vanity industry. Through appeals to vanity, he has made a lot of money from the vain and insecure women who spend days looking in mirrors and comparing themselves to other women. Women are truly fucked up in my view.
Tom can take his fashion empire and shove it, basically.
GetBalance
How silly. Never heard if such a remark. Truly incomparable. Must be all those past lives as a nun priest rabbi bleading through. Somehow i don’t think he’d reject a gaggle of speedo clad hotties at The Abbey. Get hold of yourself mister.
GetBalance
How silly. Never heard such a remark. Truly incomparable. Must be all those past lives as a nun priest rabbi bleading through. Somehow i don’t think he’d reject a gaggle of speedo clad hotties in a hot summer day at The Abbey. Get a grip and join reality mister.
GetBalance
How silly. Never heard such a remark. Truly incomparable. Must be all those past lives as a nun priest rabbi bleading through. Somehow i don’t think he’d reject a gaggle of speedo clad hotties on a hot summer day at The Abbey. Get a grip and join reality mister.
Jim Hlavac
Ay, get the guys out of shorts. Put them into Kilts!
But still, can we wear shorts in the park, playing soccer, or running, exercising, power walking? Are t-shirts out too because they show too much arm? I mean, really, the horrors of too much men-flesh on display! Why, let’s all go to the male version of the burqa!
And at the Beach? I thought Speedos were required?
Oh, I know, sometimes some types of clothes are better than others, and it’s up to the wearer to decide. And about 90% of us adults of all persuasions don’t do too bad in figuring out what’s appropriate.
Sexy Rexy
@David Ehrenstein: Seriously. There is nothing sexier to me than a guy is a pair of shorty-shorts. And if he has great legs – it’s a plus. I wanna see them.
I saw those pics of Ford in the gay mag layout – and while I do find him hot – his legs are rather thin….maybe that is why he disapproves.
OrchidIslander
@Joe: “I agree completely with flipflops. They look ridiculous on men anywhere else than the beach.”
Joe, if you were in Hawaii – as I am – those would be fighting words!
The epitome of casual and comfortable, we were “slippahs” – Hawaiian speak for flip-flops – everywhere. Shopping, dining out, movies and concerts. They are the dominate form of footwear here.
An added bonus: I never realized how beautiful some men’s feet are before taking up residency here many years ago.
fabrizzo
he sounds like a women servant.ever heard the term equality?if hes against short skirts on women and goes all out to oppose it,i might hold his words some regard.else its just baloney.why should men not have the same freedom or rights to comfort as a woman?inapprpriately dressed women outnumber that of men by more than 10:1
ryanh206
and people wonder why society at large says “that’s gay”!
it’s fucking prissy bullshit like tom ford.
that prima-donna can come wipe my ass after i pull my cargo shorts off. only after i kick off my flip flops.
gimme a break, what a douche. i’m a designer and he gives us a bad name.
his stacked art books draped around his well-appointed residences.
he grew up in TEXAS…fate needs to humble his retarded ass.