What the sharpest dressers of the year are wearing - Brief Article

FROM a century recently past to a new millennium, it has long been recognized and documented that when it comes to style and fashion, Black men have been on the cutting edge, exhibiting a degree of flair that has influenced wardrobes around the world.

Whether it's the elegance of formal were, attire for the office or casual ensembles for the leisure time in their life, Black men have continuously made individual fashion statements with their sartorial splendor, frequently creating new frontiers in style.

On these pages are examples of some of the hottest outfits, ranging from traditional cuts to '70s-inspired designs to one outfit that could be described as "daring." Depending on your tastes and your style quotient, these ensembles could easily become a part of your wardrobe.

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Caption: The fashion flair that is regularly exhibited by Sean (P. Diddy) Combs has prompted some to officially recognize him as "a sharp-dressed man." At a recent presentation, he styles in an elegant window-pane, English-cut suit with a fashionable vest. It is accented with a complementary silk tie and silk pocket square.

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Caption: Pinstripes in any form make an attention-getting fashion statement. On the runway (left), Ebony Fashion Fair model Phillip Griffin wears a six-button, English-styled morning coat in contrasting pinstripes by British designer Vivienne Westwood. It is accented with monotone pants and same-fabric, wing-collar shirt and tie. At right, actor Shemar Moore sports a single-breasted, three-button suit with a striped, open-collar shirt. Magic Johnson (below) strikes the pose of a star in an ensemble that includes a fashionable blue suit with bold pinstripes and a matching shirt, tie and pocket square combination.

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Caption: Casual class is exhibited by Ebony Fashion Fair model Phillip Griffin, who sports an anatomical-cut leather pantsuit that's styled with a plaque-closure, Nehru-collar jacket and double-welted pockets by French designer Thierry Mugler.

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Caption: Brian McKnight is colorful and classy in a stylish and trendy combination that includes a striped, open-collar silk shirt with comfortable and complementing slacks.

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Caption: Award-winning actor Samuel L. Jackson (above) takes a style to the not-so-often-seen-in-this-country level by confidently and somewhat daringly wearing a traditional Scottish kilt. He admits that he wears the ensemble "Scottish style," which means without underwear.