Sporty. Casual. Classy. ⚾️

Greetings Gents,

I always found it challenging to dress nice in the warmer months. But this summer, I’ve been locked in on putting together a variety of styles that work well for the season, without losing an ounce of class. And this week’s style note is all about blending a sporty, casual vibe, with the right balance of sophistication. 

The first step here is leaning into your professional garments, specifically your trousers. The next step is pairing them with casual items, that add a subtle flair and work cohesively to create a dapper laid-back approach. I started off this styling exercise with a foundation of black classic tailored trousers. And one of my favorite things to wear with trousers, especially in the summer is a nice vest. This one is classic, black & single-breasted, so I threw on an eagle pin to keep things interesting. I also added a vintage bandana, as a pocket accessory for both a touch of color, and as a survival tool for those hot humid days.

Next up is accentuating the outfit. A couple style notes ago, we talked about the significance of retro tones, and I just happened to run across this mustard ball cap, while scrolling on my Pinterest feed. It’s just not a color you see everyday, and these vintage hues really do make a difference for menswear outfits.

For footwear, the move was definitely going to be a set of loafers. But not just any pair of loafers. Yes, the lug sole loafers with the white vamp. The perfect contrast to set this fit off and in the right way. I also chose to pair this fit with white socks, a long time inspiration of mine from the dapper NYC Gents. It brings a different sporty vibe to the table when done properly. But of course, a no sock look, would look great as well. 

Now I do have a confession to make.😮‍💨😮‍💨😵 See, my original intention was to style this outfit with a plain grey lightweight t-shirt. But somehow, I brought a white one with me to the shoot. We took one picture, and I quickly realized how bad I had screwed up. Troy asked me why this was such a big deal. I explained to him that, although it wasn’t absolutely terrible, the goal was to isolate the sock and the vamp of the loafer as the only white items, allowing them to serve as a powerful contrast, and a visual focal point to the entire outfit. This was an excellent question in my mind, because as a stylist, you don’t necessarily think about how and why you’re putting things together. It all just happens subconsciously. Luckily, we pulled into a nearby drafthouse with a merch section, in search of a grey t-shirt, which unfortunately was available. We settled for a burgundy print tee, as a complementary color to the mustard cap. 

And that’s really it. Mixing casual pieces with sophisticated items, really goes a long way. You’ll be seeing me lean further into trouser styling with summer looks, as they provide an infinite range of outfit options. Whether you decide to pair them with boots, sneakers, loafers or mules, or even with a graphic tee or collared shirt, the opportunities are endless. For those of us who have been looking for a refined summer style, this may just be your wild card. 🫡

Sincerely,

F. Lawson

Creative Director

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