Insider Guide.(men's wardrobe)

Insider's Guide style

How to update a man's wardrobe

By Carson Kressley Kressley is the fashion maven on Bravo's Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. His book Off the Cuff: The Essential Style Guide for Men and the Women Who Love Them will be published by Dutton this month. Just like the food in your fridge, clothing can go bad. Guys don't always notice, but if you give them a little help, they're not beyond improvement. * Flatter him. You love your boyfriend. He's cute, he's funny, he has a huge 401(k) -- something's attracting you. But if he's looking less than 100 percent, try to give a wardrobe renovation a positive spin. Say, "You're such a handsome guy. If only you didn't wear those pleated Dockers that make your ass look like a Mack truck ." Nothing quite reinforces a change in a man's wardrobe more than a compliment. * Clean him out. Throw out everything pleated and the wrong size. Back in 1987 the baggy look was in, but it's not anymore, Rip Van Winkle! Things should fit. If there are any sweater vests, toss them as well as anything that's made of more than 75 percent unnatural fiber. * Feet first. New shoes are a very good way to get a man hooked -- I call them the crack cocaine of fashion. They're the first thing that ladies notice. If someone tells him, "Great shoes!" that will plant the seed for future retail initiatives. * Build up to Bergdorf's. David Beckham was not made in a day. Start with small stores so he won't be overwhelmed. Eventually, you might want to take him to department stores -- because everything is un-der one roof, and guys like things easy. * Broaden his color palette. He might have gone to Princeton and love everything orange, but orange makes him look ...