For the summer photography position we interviewed/auditioned a handful of eager photographers. Westley here was one of them.
Although we eventually hired Brent for the position, we enjoyed hanging with Wes so much that we took him on as photography & production assistant/intern. Born and raised in lower manhattan NYC, Westley is a genuine cool cat with interests in photography, style/fashion and basketball – so he fits right in.
It’s great to have an extra set of hands on deck as we continue to grow, and we are thrilled to have him join our team.
Westley Dimagiba, photographed by Brent Eysler
For his original “trial shoot” I styled another edition of our popular segment “1 Piece/3 Ways”, this time highlighting a pair of summer kicks that I’ve been putting some serious mileage on lately: my off-white suede wingtips.
1. Put-Together Summer Casual
These aren’t your typical plain-toe oxford “bucks” with the chunky red brick soles. These are wingtip brogues with natural leather soles, made with what I call an “aggresive last”. Not chunky, round and preppy – more sleek, narrow and mean.
With washed jeans, a gingham shirt and a lightweight knit they make for a perfect weekend afternoon in the city.
Bonus Tip: Typically I recommend wearing shoes and belts in the same color family, but there are exceptions, and this is one of them. With white (or off-white) footwear, use the opportunity to break the mold with a more unique accesory at the waist – or keep it simple and in the [preferably light] brown family.
Bonus Tip II: There are knits for the Fall/Winter season, and there are knits for Spring/Summer season – you should have at least a couple versatile options for the latter.
Bonus Tip III: Similarly to knitwear, the range of denim that men wear in the street is also disappointing. Leave the heavy selvage for the colder climates, there are awesome lightweight denims, colored denims, linen-blends, etc. Diversify. (Post on this coming soon)
- Off-white suede wingtips by Scarpe di Bianco
- Lightweight v-neck sweater by Gucci
- Slim washed denim jeans by Polo Ralph Lauren
- Tortoiseshell sunglasses by Persol
- Watch by Montblanc Timewalker Automatic (42mm)
- Nato Striped grosgrain watch strap by Corvus
- Brown gingham shirt by Michael Andrews Bespoke
- Brown alligator belt and silver buckle by Ralph Lauren Purple Label
40 Comments Add a comment
Which returned the cuff to normal? I like your fission.
When you wear a sweater pushed up all the way above the elbow, a la look #1, the wrist gets so stretched that you can never wear it not rolled up again, right?
TO,
I’ve noticed the same thing, and the only thing that helped was washing and drying the sweater, which returned the cuff to normal.
Of course that isn’t advisable with many sweaters, because they’ll shrink, pill, etc.
Hey Dan, Great post!! Love look 1 its very casual. Those shoes! Everytime I view a post of yours I look for them being worn, even though they’re white they have this elegance about them which I love. You wouldn’t happen to know where I could get a pair in Canada would you?
BTW- Im sure you get this a lot but you have a striking resemblance to Jason Mraz :)
What a style shoes and belts. I like your fission. Your blogs are so much impressive me.
Not a hater, but almost anytime I see “Post on this coming soon.” or “more about this later” you never come through lol.
The third look is great, though. The bucks are perfect for it.
Great shoes, although of all the outfits I like Westley’s the best. Where are the loafers from??
Wes’ topsiders are by Sperry.
Thx for reading!
dan, really solid here as usual. i was thinking about braces with belt loops and if this is indeed the proper thing purely from a functional standpoint. i have the understanding that a trouser should be cut for belt loops or for braces as the function of both is to keep your trousers up. i have never seen a jean without belt loops therefore i didn’t think a jean would function with braces since a belt is to be worn in the loops. thanks for the post!
WTF…My head is spinning from your comment…..”Thank you, we are now all stupider reading(instead of listening) this post” — Principal in Billy Madison.
Look 2 all day everyday, I’m definitely an advocate of braces.
I wish braces would make a comeback on the market like bow ties did the last few years now!
Dan you should check the braces from: http://store.hherzfeld.net/trbr.html
Look #2 is brilliant! I can see how it might not be for everyone, but definitely something I proud to wear!
Dan, thanks for the 1/3 on white shoes. Love look #1 and while I love the braces in look #2, I’m not sure leather would have been the material of choice at this time of the year. I looked at picture #2 and my immediate reaction was I’m hot and the last thing I want is leather leaving sweat lines. I know silk is not practical either, but a webbed material would have been cooler.
Lastly, your comment “The shape and structure is all business, but the fabrics (both the suede uppers and natural leather soles) are more weekend-friendly than office-ready.” I gather you never worked in an office? As I would view the leather stack bottoms of your shoes as being dressier than the classic red gum/vibram. Both of which I have worn to work (red bottom today!)
I’m gonna be nice and not discuss #3. Thanks again.
Light colored soles, generally, are more casual than coporate. Of course, this depends on your office. My friend who works at Google wears t-shirts and flip flops to his “office”.
Thanks for reading Kip.
Flips flop to the office and you are friends with him !?!?
Unless your office is at the beach and you are a lifeguard, flip flops shoe never be worn to work EVER! haha!
Okay. who are you the Style Guy? Is this Glenn O’Brien?
Here I thought only tourists wear flip-flops in NYC
Sir, did you get buttons sown on those pants for the braces? Thanks, love the blog.
Sewed them myself.
Cheers,
SB
Don’t want to be a nitpick but I love the site and don’t want Dan to be embarrassed about how long this lingered…:
“it usually looks better when you’re ankles are tan darker than you’re off-white suede.”
Both “you’re”s should be “your”s
Feel free to delete this comment!
Corrected, thanks.
I’m not a big fan of white color for shoes…Only for sneakers and that kind of footwear. Anyway, I personally think that looks #1 and #2 work very well in you. Look #3, instead, doesn’t make you the Style Blogger we’re used to.
Harsh words Rafa! You’re crazy though, #3 is CLEAN.
We’re giving opinions about HIS outfits; that’s what this is for, isn’t it? I don’t think I’m crazy, but I respect your opinion about #3.
We all have our own opinions – and being polite is the way to share them.
If we all agreed all the time, I wouldn’t do this.
Thanks for sharing guys.
Cheers,
SB
Sorry, Dan, if you think I was impolite, but I didn’t mean to. English is my second language, and maybe I didn’t express well what I wanted to say.
I’m used to seeing you proposing us amazing outfits and giving great tips, so, when I saw you wearing a simple T-shirt paired with more formal trousers, both in dark colors, you reminded me some men here in my country in summer, who take anything from their closets without paying any attention to what they’re wearing. That’s something I’ve always hated and that’s the impression I had when I saw photo #3.
Being rude was not my intention. My apologies for that.
You’re english is gooder than mostful people that they post in computer page.
I would describe #3 as “Date Night in Williamsburg”; not my style, but it works for some.
Great looks. I love suede shoes too, in many colours ;)
http://man-you-are-in-fashion.blogspot.com/
When is the MAB by Dan Trepanier collection coming out. We have suffered and waited long enough…..please Dan!
I have seen it at Barney’s.
Really dude…you have seen Dan Trepanier by MAB at Barney’s?
Not yet.
Thx for reading.
I saw it too on the third floor. Manager said they just got it .
Like always , the shoes are my passion!
:P
Thank you Dan for everithing you do for our hearts!
Your follower,
Emanuel Iuhas
Visual Merchandiser/Fashion blogger
http://www.modasicevamaimult.blogspot.com
Totally agree with the bonus tip about matching accessories from the same colour family, had never crossed my mind prior to this tip. I’m a fan of the socks in look two, and its great to see you can pull of the braces but that’s no surprise! (seen so many look terrible in them though)
Great stuff
http://thetastelevel.blogspot.com/
All of these guys look great. They have taken looks that are difficult to pull in a natural way, and they look effortless.
Love all of the looks! especially look #2…I always believe if you have both the physique and good looks and you do…you can get away with many different looks! My lady friends love all of the looks that I have! It is my male buddies that can be most critical. However, they soon admit that if they could look and dress the way i do…they would! But anyway, I dress for “women” not men!
Dan, men that are most critical can’t “pull it off”!!
Thanks again for another AWESOME post!
I, like Felix, would probably have ditched the braces in the second look. But hey, to each his own- that, after all, is why it’s style not fashion.
Great work as always.
http://www.lookyoungspeakold.tumblr.com
Loving the first fit, seriously cool. The colours are well balanced, and everything works.
I’m extremely dubious about the brace/jean combo – for me, it channels Texas Ranger, than inner city slicker. It clashes too much with the preppy tie + bd for me.