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Brian Sacawa is the Founder of He Spoke Style and one of the original men’s style influencers.
MoreFrom the Ivy to Italy, taking a classic color combination and giving it a continental twist
I know that spring and summer wedding season is real. But when friends start asking for advice on what they should wear to these events, it really hammers it home for me.
My first response is to ask whether or not they’ve checked out the Style Guide. There are a handful of options there. (Note to self: tag more looks in the ‘Wedding’ category, because we’ve got ’em.)
Then it’s questions like, is it during the day or evening? Is it in the city or on a beach? Something in between? These are the questions that can help dial in an outfit choice.
Our contributing whiskey and cigar editor, Chris, was the most recent person to ask me about the spring/summer wedding thing. And actually, he had done his research and was hoping to recreate this look, though in linen instead of seersucker.
He actually bought a light brown linen suit, which looked great, in my opinion, but he wasn’t feeling it for one reason or another – there’s something to be said for knowing one’s own comfort zone, FYI – and ended up exchanging it for a navy blazer and khaki trousers.
So when Chris sent me a photo of his outfit – navy blazer, khaki pants, yellow tie with a foulard print – and asked me what I thought, I said, “That looks very preppy.” It wasn’t a judgement, but he asked how he could make it less preppy. Good question!
| WEARING | Suitsupply blazer, Al Bazar shirt, Saks Fifth Avenue pants, Oliver Peoples sunglasses, Drake’s tie and pocket square, Rolex Datejust watch, Loafers c/o Allen Edmonds | PHOTOGRAPHY | by Rob McIver Photo
Nothing screams “classic prep” like a navy blazer and khaki trousers. One way to break the East Coast mold while keeping the color palette is to swap the single-breasted blazer for a double-breasted blazer. Trade the Ivy for Italy.
Next, instead of choosing a tie with a contrasting and/or complementary color, like yellow, pick something in the same color family as the blazer, but with a pattern that will stand out. An interesting plaid is a great choice.
Footwear? Horsebit loafers with a rubber sole will give the formality of the double-breasted blazer an approachable and casual feel.
Thanks for reading.
Stylishly Yours,
Brian Sacawa
He Spoke Style
Brian Sacawa
Brian Sacawa is the Founder of He Spoke Style and one of the original men’s style influencers. Since 2013, his goal has remained the same: to provide men the advice and inspiration they need to dress well, develop their personal style, and gain more confidence. Brian’s interest and passion for men’s style and luxury watches has led to his writing for The Robb Report, The Rake, and Sotheby’s and he has been quoted on menswear in publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Today.com, Brides Magazine, and the Huffington Post. He lives in the woods north of Baltimore with his wife, Robin, kitties Nick and Nora, and German Shepherd/Collie mix Charlie.
