September 13, 2019
Avant Garb: Menswear…Mens’ Flair!
By Elizabeth Massing
I was catching up with some friends over drinks at The Point in Fells Point when I ran into Austin. Austin has an amazing style. I’d describe it as a mix of designers, high-end pieces, classic yet fun, and European yet preppy.
“I definitely appreciate the fitted style of European clothes and the fact that branding is typically more nuanced compared to brands from other countries. Most of the clothing brands I usually buy are French and shoes British,” he explained.
Austin’s shoes are adorable. I love it when men can rock a pair of loafers. These are Barker Black (from Barker Black – http://barkerblack.com). This company makes all hand-made shoes, ranging from these slip-type loafers up to one-piece leather boots. Once broken in, their shoes are some of the most comfortable and durable out there. Austin said, “I think I probably own some version of every shoe they made. The boots are my favorite.”
“I like the vintage Gucci belts, as they are a little more understated than some of the current ones. If you have a chance when in Paris, Reciproque is an amazing high-end vintage store,” he said.
“I think the smaller details like the shoes, belts, watch, and wallet make the man and give a chance to express some style (my current wallet is bright orange),” he noted.
Overall, Austin’s style is sophisticated, elegant, and influenced by respected designers. But he also prioritizes comfort… and he does it all while looking totally fabulous and making a statement.
“I can’t say I look for any particular fashion, but when something catches my eye I’ll get it and not be afraid to alter it to how I see it to be. Comfort is important to me…Do I have a particular style? No. I just know what I like personally; wanting to be unique! I’m a skinny jeans kind of guy and not afraid to take risks that maybe other men may not take,” he told me.
This shirt is fabulous, and the gold flecks really give it that personalized flair that helps you get a better feel for Ernest’s fashion sense. Ernest said when he bought it at a store called Turning Point, it had long sleeves. He had the sleeves cut short and had it taken in on the sides, as well as the length of the shirt hemmed.
His pants were picked up from a store at Mondawmin Mall. Among his favorite places to shop? H&M, Zara and asos.com.
Overall, Ernest is quite fearless yet sensible in his fashion choices and he certainly knows how to create a fluid look from head to toe, all while incorporating one-of-a-kind pieces. He also managed to do this without using many colors, which speaks volumes and leaves you feeling intrigued.
