Synopses & Reviews
What did British gentlemen suffer to maintain their luxuriant moustaches, flowing locks, smooth chins, and trim waists? This highly diverting anthology attempts to provide some of the answers as it looks at the original advertising pitched at the man in search of personal perfection. Fashion, facial hair, hair and its lack, shaving techniques, waxes and potions, tailoring and tobacco, cars and collars, beer and breeches, exercise and steam baths are here aplenty. Dumbbells, Earcaps and Hair Restorers follows the British male on his vain, often painful quest for manly beauty, from the Victorian gentleman to the bright young things of the 1920s and 30s.