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Published
by the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. CLICK FOR NEWSPAPER DELIVERY
Sunday, September 30, 2001
A loud outfit was OK in '70s
Art Allen had gold suit with wide lapels
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Michelle Christenson/Caller-Times
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Coastal Motorcars owner and fitness buff Art Allen, 46, who admires the fashion sense of comedians Steve Harvey and Johnny Carson, stays away from polyester fabrics.
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Music lover Art Allen listens to everything from Bach to Tupac Shakur. The 46-year-old Coastal Motorcars owner lived in Houston before moving to Corpus Christi more than two years ago. He enjoys motivational reading by authors such as Earl Nightingale and Jim Rohn. His pride, he says, is his 17-year-old daughter, Shelley, who lives in Houston. This fitness buff loves sports and keeps his channel set on ESPN.
Q: What was your most ridiculous outfit?
A: While at college in the '70s at Texas Southern University, I bought a loud gold polyester suit with a ducktail and wide lapels. I also wore a 6-inch high afro and gold platform shoes. I just thought I was so cool back then. Believe it or not, within the circxle I was in, many people were dressed that way. I almost look like those pimp daddy kind of guys.
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Michelle Christenson/Caller-Times
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A handkerchief in his jacket, a lapel pin and cufflinks are vital while ties allow Allen to give new looks to his suits.
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Q: What is a big fashion no-no?
A: Polyester. It's a horrible fabric, especially in this southern climate. It doesn't breath.
Q: Name two celebrities with a great sense of style.
A: Comedian and actor Steve Harvey and Johnny Carson. Harvey always has on a nice suit. I heard from an Apollo Theater tour guide that he only wears them once and then gives them away. Also, Johnny Carson because he always wears the finest in casual attire.
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Michelle Christenson/Caller-Times
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Accessories make the well-dressed man, according to Allen.
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Q: Describe your biggest fashion embarrassment.
A: When I was in my early 20s, I had a job interview. I didn't notice until I arrived that I had on a blue sock and a black sock. The people that interviewed me had taken notice. My bedroom was dark, so I couldn't tell between the colors.
Q: What's one item you refuse to get rid of?
A: A pair of blue jeans that I've had for 15 years. I keep them to make sure I can always fit into them. And I still do fit comfortably into them. I'm not a blue jeans kind of guy. I wear them about twice a year.
Q: What's the most recent item you purchased?
A: A month ago, I purchased a casual Brioni tan smoking jacket at Neiman Marcus in Austin.
Q: Who's your favorite shoe designer?
A: Allen Edmonds. Comfort is the most important reason for buying shoes. I also love Donald Pliner shoes for more casual wear. I have about four pairs of those, too.
Q: What do you look for in clothes?
A: Finer garments made out of fabrics such as cotton, silk and wool. Finer silk and wool garments will drape back to its natural form when it is placed on the hanger. A Houston men's storeowner told me that you shouldn't send a suit more than 10 times to the cleaners in its lifetime. That'll wear it down more than wearing the garment.
Q: What was your biggest fashion splurge?
A: A gray Pal Zileri suit that I bought at A. Taghi in Houston that retailed for $2,000.
Q: What are three suit essentials?
A: When wearing suits, I always wear a handkerchief in my jacket, a lapel pin on my jacket and cufflinks. They are the trimmings of a well-dressed man.
Q: What's your motto for dressing well?
A: There is no substitute for being neat and well groomed, especially in public. It's not about money, because you can do this at a reasonable cost. You have to take care of yourself first before others will compliment you. When you're relaxing at home, be comfortable. (When I'm at home, I lounge around in shirts with the sleeves cut out).
- Staff writer Cassandra Hinojosa
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