TFB: Some people say that men care more about fashion now than they have ever before. But from a historical point of view, it seems that the only time they didn’t really care about looking nice was the 1990s. Do you think men care about their clothes more now than they did 10, 20,30 years ago?

PB: The truth is, men have always cared about clothes. I believe men are more peacocks than women. At the end of the 1960s, men began to challenge the clothing norms.  In many ways, this was a fantastic liberation and chance to explore new ways of dressing. But then it just got messy. The “casualization” (as I call it) of America has made both men and women look pretty awful and has influenced succeeding generations–their children–to continue with the trend. That’s why it isn’t uncommon to see some young woman going to work in flip flops, a pencil skirt and a North Face fleece jacket. Or a guy wearing dress slacks and the same jacket the girl is wearing.

TFB: How will this holiday season compare with last year in terms of what men are buying? Will they buy more or less?

PB: Any retailer worth its salt knows now that it all comes down to value. They are doing all they can to offer merchandise that is “cheap and cheerful” and won’t break the bank. I think there is some excellent stuff coming out right now. J. Crew is doing an excellent job with their menswear, making it focused on the lifestyle of someone who wears the brand.  And the department stores finally woke up. Their private label brands [including Saks' new upscale collection for men] are giving consumers colorful, quality merchandise that is easy on the wallet. This holiday, consumers in general–and men in particular–will be more willing to buy than last year, but retailers shouldn’t expect a banner year.

TFB: There are a lot of very unique men’s boutiques out there, from Blackbird in Seattle (which now I believe sells women’s stuff, too) to Odin here in New York. Do you think men shop at these stores, or do you think it’s their wives/girlfriends? For example, I love the J.Crew Men’s Shop in Tribeca, but my boyfriend just likes the clothes. He doesn’t care which J.Crew we go to. I, on the other hand, would prefer to buy my Isabel Marant dresses at my local boutique Bird rather than Barneys, simply because it’s a nicer experience.

PB: I do think men are shopping at these places. Not all men, of course. But young moderns, definitely. You have to remember that there is a whole new generation–the Gen Y kids–coming into their own and have no problem shopping for themselves. They do it together even. I see groups of young men now who are shopping together. The great advantage the boutique-style stores have is that their merchandise is highly focussed. Unlike department stores, they don’t have a million messages hitting you at once, and there isn’t a cosmetics department to navigate through. The service is also, in general, much, much better. My guess is, your boyfriend doesn’t mind which J. Crew he goes to, but I bet he doesn’t want to go to Macy’s on a Saturday afternoon.

TFB: You got that right.

Have a question about the fashion or retail industry that you’d like answered? Email me on lauren@tfbeat.com.