DC Edition 4

I Have Built Personal Branding Around My Wearing A Bow Tie…

Story submitted by Joe Sprott
instagram @jrsprott
fwdhealth.co

‘My foray into the fashion world began just about four years ago. Growing up in a very traditional South Carolina I knew little about properly fitted clothing.

It was the cheapest, but I bought a button-down at H&M while in NYC and wore it until it was threadbare. Ever since I’ve built upon and expanded a growing wardrobe of fine clothing and accessories.

I have even built personal branding around my wearing a bow tie, especially a diamond-point. I am a digital strategist by day but always fashionably so, day or night.'

'I plan to expand my wardrobe into fully custom suits (already have one) and engage with more local brands as soon as possible. It was my first trip to NYC, and seeing all of the beautiful (and crazy) people with tailored/fitted looks, and my humble SC upbringing with traditional cuts that left me fascinated.

A girl I was seeing suggested we run into H&M (she knew of their affordable accessories) and I tried on that shirt. I still shop there, although mostly for accessories and their higher-end fare now. I’ll always respect where it began.

I say all of this not that I grew up wearing Sears’ clothing all of my life. My father and I wore Polo, Lacoste, Brooks Brothers and custom pieces from Lourie’s (a now-defunct iconic menswear shop that was on Main St in Columbia, SC) but they were never tailored to fit as a lot of modern styles are today.’

DC Edition 3

It Didn’t Just Require A Certain Mindset But A Certain Attire…

Story submitted by Randall Keith Benjamin.
instagram @rbenjam22
randallkbenjamin2.com

‘When my two brothers and I were young my father would tell us to “walk like we owned the place.” To do that it didn’t just require a certain mindset but a certain attire, a certain way to carry yourself.

Fashion starts in your mind way before your hands ever touch cloth. If you are confident in who you are, what you decide to wear comes easy.'

'I am in transportation and community development. I take pride in trying to decipher how to bring the right purpose, people, places and problems together that will lead to a better environment for all. Though community encompasses all ages I am especially encouraged when I work with youth who look like me because they are the ones who will carry the torch when we are all gone.

When I interact with them I realize that in that moment I am the only present example of what their future could hold so my presentation- how I look- is essential.

I wear a tie with the expectation of having to show how to tie one. I make sure my suit is tailored so when asked where it came from it can be known that you can shop at a thrift store and still look proper. I make sure my shoes are shinned so a downed head will raise up and see someone who looks like them.

What you wear is not who you are but it is a reflection and for those coming up behind me I want them to see what is possible.’

DC Edition 2

In A Way, Much Of How I Dress Is An Homage To Them…

Story submitted by Michael Idiokitas.
instagram @mfon13
wingtipsandloafers

‘My style is “simple masculine elegance”. I do not go for the affected look. I like and wear things that are simple, well crafted but not peacocky.

My hue allows me to pretty much wear every color and texture, without over doing it. My appreciation of style comes from my dad and my maternal grandfather. They have the most pristine sense of taste. It’s because of them that the majority of my suits are double breasted.

In a way much of how I dress is an homage to them. Most of my day to day dress is business casual but instead of a sport coat I’d rather wear a nice cardigan. My goal is to continue to have fun with the threads!'

'I remember being 7 or 8 and going to visit my grandfather on the weekends.  He got up early on Saturdays and spent about an hour polishing his shoes (every Saturday morning).  After the polishing, he got dressed.  He wore braces with all his pants and either double breasted or three-piece suits on the weekends.  During the week he wore two piece suits.

I didn’t think about it at the time but all of those experiences have greatly effected how I view dressing and having fun with your clothes.'