Sad News: It was announced today that Men’s Vogue is closing shop as a stand-alone title, and will instead become a seasonal supplement to Vogue. The title will be published in the spring and fall of 2009, according to Charles H. Townsend, president and CEO of Condé Nast Publications. The December/January issue will be the last issue sent to Men’s Vogue subscribers and sold on newsstands.

The title was launched in September 2005 into a crowded field of men’s titles, and aimed to set itself apart by catering to an older, more affluent audience than competitors like GQ and Details, which are also published by Condé Nast, as is DNR. Men’s Vogue carried the imprimatur of editorial director Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue, who had tapped protégé Jay Fielden as editor-in-chief. He will continue to edit the Men’s Vogue supplement, according to Townsend.

The title had upped its frequency to 10 issues this year, and was set to raise its rate base to 400,000 at the beginning of next year, up from 350,000. However, ad pages were down 11 percent through November, to 588 pages, down from 662 in 2007, despite the title publishing two additional issues this year, according to Media Industry Newsletter. The move is part of Condé Nast’s across-the-board belt tightening as the current economic downturn significantly impacts the publishing industry.

I find this announcement particularly distressing because Men’s Vogue is my kind of magazine. Smart, insightful, stylish and elegant without ever being stuffy. This publication spoke to me as an adult with taste. While GQ and Details have their place, only Esquire can match Men’s Vogue’s ability to blend intelligence and fashion with such effortless skill. In my opinion, Men’s Vogue’s premeier issue is one of the single best menswear publications I’ve ever come accross. This is a real loss.

Men’s Vogue Premier Issue

Along with the brief but storied “M,” magazine, Men’s Vogue will stand as a testament to real style. Yes, it will stay alive as a seasonal supplement, but it’s not quite the same. In any event, I will not make the same mistake I did when M ceased production; this time, I’ll hold on to all my back issues of Men’s Vogue.

I am in New York for some meetings right now and lo an behold, at the local Border’s what did I see but the new Big Black Book from Esquire!

I wasn’t expecting it to be out yet and even Amazon indicates that it won’t ship until October 7, but there it was, piled up to the sky and ready to go. Apparently just issued, the store had stocked up on this seminal guide book for men, anticipating big demand. I am again very pleased with the nice mix of clothing, accessories, advice and stories the editors have been able to weave together.

This guide is a favorite of Off The Cuff because it is more than a product catalog – it is well, a guide. Sections like “Desktops,” pair collections of items – pens, watches, notebooks, and clothing – in way that helps the reader see how to choose and organize their personal possessions in a stylish and coherent way.

“The New Americans” profiles several of-the-moment designers who seem to have solid staying power, including Gilded Age, Engineered Garments and the exceptionally talented Michael Bastian. “Watches” focuses on materials in this issue – from carbon fibre to gold and several beautiful stainless steel options are highlighted.

Longer form pieces include an homage to Neapolitan tailoring, an examination of the great outdoors and the role of the briefcase in our allegedly paperless world. The four main “Portfolios” cover mastering the art of the tuxedo, pared down international style, classic chunky anglophile-inspired woolens and a spread on explorer Sam Branson, the apparently well grounded son of super-entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.

The educationally oriented “Information” section focuses on advice ranging from how to design the perfect business card to the pairing of patterned suit coats and shirts. Also tackled – caring for your clothing (in particular is a great guide to keeping dress shirts looking fresh and new), how to make small talk, managing office politics and characteristics of the perfect weekend bag.

There is much more than I have highlighted here and this year’s Big Black Book really lives up to it’s self-titled moniker of “The Style Guide of Successful Men.” Not that previous year’s did not, but this particular one is a font of practical and entertaining information.

Just remember, it’s not about recreating exactly what you see within it’s covers, but taking inspiration from the editors’ ideas and spreads and making them your own. You will have even more opportunity to do so as Esquire is planing to produce a Spring edition of the BBB that should hit the stands in early March 2009.