'Beekman Boys' offer style tips

The "Beekman Boys" took time off from farm chores to hang out one night last week at Bloomingdale's in Roosevelt Field, where shoppers enjoyed hors d'oeuvres, drinks and fashion tips from cable TV's latest reality sensations.

"The Fabulous Beekman Boys," a series that debuted on Planet Green last year, chronicles the lives of Dr. Brent Ridge and Joshua Kilmer-Purcell, a couple that went from city slickers to "gentlemen farmers" after purchasing the Beekman 1802 Farm in upstate Sharon Springs, N.Y. -- all the while mucking about a herd of goats and a diva llama in natty duds.

"Some people made fun of us for farming in city clothes," says Kilmer-Purcell. He says they simply didn't have cash for new wardrobes. Along the way, the "Boys," whose second season premieres tomorrow night, developed their own set of style rules.

"I kinda want to do what they did -- just go off and start anew," says Brian Gore, an estate caretaker from Port Jefferson Station. The Boys gave two thumbs up to a Burberry gray plaid blazer with elbow patches that Gore tried on.

"The very first suit I bought for my first job was a Burberry," says Ridge. "Classic, clean lines -- it's very Beekman."

Style rule 1:

DON'T BE AFRAID TO DRESS UP

The "Boys," here with Brian Gore, consider a Canali three-piece suit, noting that dressing up can lift one's spirit. "Brent could wear this farming and somehow not get dirty," says Kilmer-Purcell.

Style rule 2:

BE VERSATILE

Mike O'Connor, a consultant with Eagle Volvo in Riverhead, was looking for an "everyday suit." The Boys nixed a tux-like black suit, and suggested gray. Or a blue pinstripe from Acquaviva that can be worn with a white linen shirt and jeans.

Style rule 3:

STAND OUT

Chirag Patel of Sayville considered this light tweedy blazer, but the Boys thought him stylish enough to pull off a gingham jacket like Ridge was wearing atop his Nautica gingham shirt. "If you're gonna spend $300 on a jacket, don't you want people to notice you?" Ridge asked.