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Her Style: Styling the men in your life

What better way to celebrate our men’s issue than by showing the men in our lives a little extra love? As a stylist, you could say that my “love language” is helping people find looks they enjoy so that they feel their best. I think fostering someone’s personal style can be a true gift, and I’m sure we all have men in our lives who could benefit from this kind of support. 

So if you’re ready to play the role of “stylist” for a deserving gent you know, allow me to share some tips that’ll help you on your mission.

Upgrade His Current Uniform

Rather than chasing the hottest trends or pushing for looks from Pinterest, meet your guy where he is in terms of his own style. Take a look at his current uniforms or go-to outfit formulas: What are the pieces he always reaches for? Are there certain outfits he wears all the time? Evaluate those outfits, piece by piece, and determine which items could be elevated. For example, he may love wearing the same ol’ button-downs, but there are current styles he could easily upgrade to with more modern fabrics and tailored fits.

Be Besties With a Tailor

In today’s era of mass-manufactured clothing, it’s absolutely essential to have a relationship with a great tailor or seamstress. (This goes for both men and women.) It’s incredible what a few simple tweaks can do to an overall look. So I implore you: Get those pants hemmed, those shirts tapered and those jackets taken in. Consider this when shopping for new clothes, and accept it as part of the price tag.  

Introduce Seasonal Pieces

Fall is the perfect time to stock up on “third pieces” — final touches, like jackets and accessories — that bring a look together. With a simple addition, like a new lightweight jacket, you can take your guy’s fall uniform from simple to striking. Some of my favorite examples: 

• Add a bomber jacket to upgrade his athleisure game

• Throw a cozy “shacket” (shirt jacket) over a basic tee, and roll up the sleeves 

• Layer a knit blazer or a travel blazer over a button-down and jeans. 

 

His Style: An ode to old

This month, I’ve had the privilege of once again styling the men’s issue, which we were fortunate enough to shoot at the b-e-a-utiful Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. While preparing for the shoot, the concept of the “old money aesthetic” was bouncing around my mind. For those unfamiliar with the term, the “old money aesthetic” favors quality over quantity, elegance over extravagance and heritage over hurry-up. In today’s column, we’ll talk about what the old money aesthetic is in menswear, why it’s important and why you shouldn’t follow trends.

 

The Old Money Aesthetic in Menswear

To understand the old money aesthetic, you must understand old money. “Old money” refers to significant generational wealth. Think: the Rockefellers, the Vanderbilts, the Schermerhorns and whoever the family is that owns the color blue. Old money is wealth that stands the test of time. The same is true for the old money aesthetic in menswear. It is defined by heritage garments made in timeless fabrics, like tweed, cashmere and fine wool. Put simply, it is fashion that is made to last.

Why the Old Money Aesthetic Matters

In a world where fast fashion (H&M, Zara and Shein) runs rampant and devastates the environment, slow fashion transcends trends and gets back to the humanity of well-crafted garments. The old money aesthetic evokes the themes of yesteryear, when garments were made by artisans through meticulous design and craftsmanship. The level of detail was bar none. And that garment could be traced back to the source of origin. Can the same be said of a boy band tee from Zara? (Speaking of, NSYNC, we need that world tour!)

Why You Should Not Follow Trends

The short answer: Because they’re forever changing. One season, it’s chunky sneakers. The next, it’s skinny jeans. Then, it’s oversized pants. Bentley hot take: Trends are meant to keep you buying into consumerism. I said what I said! Get off the consumerism merry-go-around. There’s a reason why fabric makers like Abraham Moon & Sons have been around since the 1800s and the “dad” shoes trend died off a few years ago. Trends are temporary. Style is forever.

Gents, ’tis the season for a nice tweed suit and a good bourbon. Pinky finger up? Your call. Be well, lads!