Mike Cox

Years ago, I spent a lot of free time with my nose in a book. I had magazines in the bathroom, just for emergencies. These days I read fewer books, but my magazine stack has grown significantly.

Playboy has been a constant since just after high school. And, yes, I do read the articles. Sports magazines and news periodicals make up the rest of the pile. What ends up on the porcelain bookcase is constantly being adjusted.

I swore off Sports Illustrated years ago when they dissed my favorite football team one too many times. ESPN The Magazine has been with me for a long time, but an instant messenger writing style and too many covers with glaring, shirtless, male athletes got tedious.

I tried The Nation but found it way too whiny. Men's magazines like FHM and Stuff are nothing more than Cosmo in disguise crammed full of ads with no substance to the articles.

I recently added Men's Health to my rotation. I didn't expect ad free pages or literary excellence and knew most of the features would involve washboard abs or success in the bedroom. I haven't had washboard abs since, well, since never. And success in the bedroom for me involves sleeping through the night without having to get up.

The relationship advice is like watching Oprah . Every expert favors the feminine viewpoint. Not a big deal; the whole world is set up like that these days. It isn't like the advice in Dad's Argosy.

But the magazine features some recipes, workout techniques, and bits of information I can probably use. Maybe the best thing is the fashion advice.

This month, some skinny new singer who needs to shave is showing us how to wear denim. John Mellencamp or George Strait used to tell guys how to wear jeans, but times change.

I did learn how to spruce up my summer wardrobe quite effectively. The first item featured was a sweater, which was odd. These guys must not vacation below the Mason-Dixon Line in August. We don't even want a sweater in the house.

Among the mix and match outfits was a $65 T- shirt, a $180 V- neck T- shirt, and a pair of shorts that cost $170. A matching hoody, for that street savvy look, was only $195. I've been trying to increase my street cred; now I can do it with a $195 hoody. Dress pants for $495 and a sport coat for $800 rounded out the versatile summer ensemble.

To accessorize, the fashionistas suggested classic, but not gaudy sunglasses, and a brown leather watch band. The watch suggests refined rusticity. I need a little of that. Also, I learned a belt should never be the first thing you notice on a guy. So much for my classic rodeo buckle.

Men's Health suggests a shiny, $350 pen as an easy way to stand out in a crowd. I say add a pocket protector by Coach and you're ready to hit the beach. Good luck with those abs, fellow trend setters, and happy reading.