*** (that slow-death headline might just be wishful thinking on my part) -- I've grown to hate that word fashion -- good, 'got that out the way.

Okay, hate is a strong word for how I feel about it. Let's just say it's invaded my house at night -- ('nuff said) -- and that makes me happy to watch other people take-a-piss-all-over fashion --(and maybe It'll put a few bitches in the poor house that need it).

In my perfect world I would hope for an new era in Fashion -- where function and sensibility beats over style and drama -- maybe that would give us some common ground when it comes to style -- yeah, call me a bit of dreamer.

But, in the meanwhile I'll sit here and enjoy watching Paris Burn -- (my guilty pleasure). Read on --

“We’re at the point where we’re dipping into our savings to stay alive,” says a group of retailers with hopes of luring shoppers back into stores (NY Times).

Really dipping into savings...?

Question: Are there a lot of men all that interested in learning about proper Style? The editors of one-of-my favorite feel-smarter-after-reading-this --

Esquire magazine just put out a handy little book called:

"Esquire The Handbook of Style."

And they were nice enough to send over a copy -- (via our luxury guide / sister-site Momist.com).

I read the whole thing over two Subway rides. Here's my short review:

Book Genre: Small, Smart and Style (oh my): It's a -- "highly illustrated approach, and laced with Esquire’s trademark humor...(with) -- vital information on every aspect of a man’s wardrobe, from suits and shirts, to shoes and neckties, to watches and other accessories."

Page-turner meter, (or the can't-put-it-down factor): On a scale of 1-10, this one gets solid Nine. But it comes with a disclaimer, if you don't work in a business environment that drops down to a Seven-ish.

After reading Newsweeks' feature story -- (explaining luxury shame -- why even the very rich are cutting back on conspicuous consumption) -- I gotta say I do love this one quote -- (because it says-it-all):

"Would I go out and buy something showy? Not at a time like this," says one of Hollywood's richest moguls. "It would be like bragging."

"In these tough economic times, everyone from Richie Rich to Joe the Plumber is scaling back, and luxury retailers won't be immune from the impact," said one retail expert.

Behind the Cha Cha Girls at New Yorks Halloween Parade -- sashaying with thrill-seeking narcissists reveals that long kept secret:

'Marketing experts are advising their business people to appeal to the gay and lesbian consumers to cash in on the big spenders in this time of recession,' says the Herald News.

I'd call it the Marc Jacobs effect -- no, not just his incredible fashion sense, it's also that stink of what's cool that comes with having some gay-cred...go-on, ask anybody that works in Hollywood about that mass-gay-respect-nod...

This whole global financial crisis kinda makes it harder for folks to just-grin and wear-it...

'And even in the best of times,' suggests the Washington Post.

It'd -- 'be difficult to defend the gilded brocade, glittering embroidery and exaggerated silhouettes that came down the runway. It is as though the design industry is living in the go-go 1990s and everyone else is wondering how many additional decades they'll have to work to make up for all their lost capital gains.'