Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Columns

Dressed to the nines to ascend to 'the Perfect 10'

By ERNEST HOOPER
Published April 5, 2007

In the latest edition of Tampa Bay Illustrated, 10 local men are deemed "the Perfect 10: Tampa Bay's most fashionable and charitable men."

And I am among those 10.

Of course, you're surprised. I was surprised, too, when managing editor Melinda Tam called me in December. I had to call her back and make sure I wasn't being "punk'd" by some of my sports writing buddies.

But it was true. Each year, 10 men are so honored, and someone nominated me for inclusion on this year's list.

In January, I donned a classy Saks Fifth Avenue ensemble - Jack Victor dinner jacket, Hugo Boss pants, Armani Collezioni shirt, Salvatore Ferragamo shoes - whose retail value is more than a used car and posed for pictures at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.

Since the issue hit newsstands, I haven't discovered exactly who Salvatore Ferragamo is, but I have discovered just what it means to be included on such a magnanimous list.

It means for the first and likely only time, my name appears on the same list as Bucs linebacker Ryan Nece. Trust me, this guy looks so good it's a crime for me and him to be mentioned in the same breath.

It means later this month, I'll be appearing in a fashion show with the other nine honorees at Saks: Nece, Dave Andreychuk, Joel Cantor, Nicholas Carbone, Jack Glasure, Keith Sedita, Shane Stafford, Vick Tipnes and Wenz Tirheimer. Yes, I'll be at risk of tripping, but it benefits the Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

The event begins on April 18 with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at 6 p.m. If you're interested, you need to RSVP at 727 456-0400.

It means my sports writing colleagues remain creative:

"Most fashionable? Obviously that magazine doesn't believe in fact checking."

"Most charitable? I've known you for 20 years, and you've never bought me a beer."

"It kind of reminds me of Sesame Street. You know, one of these things are not like the other. One of those things just don't belong."

"Lucky for you, they didn't put the annual salaries of the Top 10."

It means I feel pressure to dress better. So I went out and bought two shirts from Target last week.

It means Photoshop is one of the greatest inventions known to man, given how I look in the picture.

It means I have to retract what I wrote in 2004 when I ridiculed the "Perfect 10" for being a metrosexual affront to real men like me.

Back then, I wrote: "It wasn't that long ago when real men would flee from such a dubious distinction. Tolerable? Presentable? Bearable? Yes. Fashionable? Somebody hand me a sweat shirt and a baseball cap."

Today, I say it's pretty cool to see yourself on a glossy page.

Most of all, I hope it means my effort to raise awareness of various charities is creating a legacy of goodwill for my three kids.

I may not leave them a lot of money when I'm long gone, but hopefully they will inherit a reputation and a few relationships that will help them make.

I work for the Times, I write to inform and entertain readers, but I labor for my children. And it is a labor of love.

That's all I'm saying.

Ernest Hooper can be reached at hooper@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3406.

[Last modified April 5, 2007, 06:47:20]