Cool playmaker

Men's Fitness, Feb, 2009 by Brandon Guarneri

New Jersey Nets point guard Devin Harris, 25, doesn't mind receiving an assist in the style game. "Having a tailor is really important," he says. "Back in the day, everything was baggy. As you get older, you want everything to fit closer to your body." His closet may be full of jeans, sweaters, and blazers from Polo Ralph Lauren and True Religion, but he's no fashion zombie. "I'll wear cargo pants, a dress shirt, maybe a V-neck sweater with a tie," he says. "I like to do something different." Harris was cool going formal for our exclusive photo shoot. (He went to three high school proms with his girlfriend, once rocking a tux with tails.) He knows that in the fashion-conscious world of pro sports, you have to look the part, no matter the cost. "I saw one of my teammates and was like, How much you pay for those shoes? I could never see myself paying that," Harris says. Then he picked up a pair of Gucci black suede loafers. "I've got to keep up," he says. "The better you dress, the better you feel about yourself." We're down with that.

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The Look ...

Renting a tux can set you back a couple of hundred bucks. Considering the number of formal work, charity events, and weddings that come up for most guys, you'd be far better off buying--especially since a good tux (like the one shown here) will last you a lifetime. For shopping information, see Buy It page 153.

JACKET

If you're wearing a classic one-button tuxedo jacket, make sure you keep it buttoned. If a three-button jacket is more your style, the middle button should be fastened, the top is optional, and the bottom should never be done.

SLEEVE

Cuff links are vital for looking great. To put them on, pinch the sleeves of your cuff together and insert the link through both holes. On the backside, secure it in place (make sure the decorative side is facing out).

SHIRT

To pull off a bow tie, you need the right shirt--wing-tip collars or a forward-point collar work best. To master the fine art of tying a bow tie, leave it to the experts at Brooks Brothers, who provide a demo at brooksbrothers. com/tieknots/tieknots.tem.

PANTS

You want to be comfortable all night, so the fit of your tuxedo pants is crucial. Go to your local tailor and have your waist and inseam measured by a professional. To know the right length of your pant leg, it should break slightly on top of your shoe (as shown here).

SHOES

Don't ruin a formal look with whack footwear. Drop five bucks on a pair of simple dress socks, and wear them only with your tux, so you always have them on hand. Finally, before every big event, stop in at a shoe shop and have those patent leathers buffed.

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PAGE 71: TED BAKER LONDON TUXEDO, $750

BROOKS BROTHERS DRESS SHIRT, $80

THOMAS PINK BOW TIE, $60 D & G POCKET SQUARE, $95

THIS PAGE: TED BAKER LONDON TUXEDO, $750

BROOKS BROTHERS DRESS SHIRT, $BD AND BOW TIE, $60

D & G POCKET SQUARE, $95 JOHNSTON & MURPHY SHOES, $165

Final Touches

Wearing a tuxedo may make you feel like 007, but it's the details that will make your Bond girl swoon. Our suggestions offer just the right amount of shine and refinement.

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PAUL STUART, $70

CALVIN KLEIN COLLECTION, $395

STEVE MADDEN, $125

TATEOSSIAN, $190

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DAVID YURMAN, $375

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JAN LESLIE, $325

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DIRTY ENGLISH, $125

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