A Dandy Paper Doll

Fine and dandy: Patrick McDonald, aka "The New York Dandy," will appear

at a booksigning at Books Inc. on Market Street in the Castro on Thursday.

New York dandy Patrick McDonald, seen in the pages of national fashion magazines, newspapers and blogs for his colorful attire at high society parties and on Bravo TV's "Launch My Line," will be in San Francisco Thursday to sign copies of illustrator Jim Howard's book, "Four Famous Dandies Paper Dolls" (Paper Studio Press, 2010). The book is a paper doll book featuring McDonald, Beau Brummel, Oscar Wilde and the Duke of Windsor and was illustrated by Jim Howard, an artist who did illustrations for I. Magnin, the now-defunct San Francisco department store chain. Howard, now in his 80s, will also attend. McDonald has appeared in books including "The Style Makers" (Monacelli, 2001) and "American Fashion Menswear" (Assouline, 2009). He is also a fashion writer and consultant who appears in the latest documentary about street style, "Bill Cunningham New York," set to open in San Francisco April 8. Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/chronstyle/detail?entry_id=85992#ixzz1ICChpXXG

Not just kids stuff: Paper cut-out dolls can be fun for fashionistas.

Patrick McDonald is one of four dandies in a new book by Jim Howard.

No fashion book signing can be held without a cocktail party first, so McDonald and Howard will hold forth beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Sui Generis Ille, a vintage and consignment store for men at 2231 Market St. No need for cabs or re-parking: The book signing will follow at 7:30 p.m. at Books Inc., 2275 Market St. And at 8 p.m., Sui Generis Illa, a new women's boutique, serves cocktails to celebrate its grand opening at 2265 Market St.Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/chronstyle/detail?entry_id=85992#ixzz1ICDoO23x