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Preakness Men's Style feat. Craig Martin - He Spoke Style
Preakness Men's Style feat. Craig Martin - He Spoke Style
Style

Preakness Men’s Style feat. Craig Martin

May 16th, 2013
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When deciding who to feature in this series of posts on Preakness men’s style, asking my main man Craig Martin was a no-brainer. Craig is the owner of the Quinntessential Gentleman, Baltimore’s finest men’s barbershop and grooming parlor, and no stranger to great men’s personal style. I love how Craig combines expert tailoring, subtle details, and a little southern prep to craft his singular and signature style. I asked Craig to share his thoughts about race-day style, his look for this year’s Preakness, and his style in general.

Preakness Men's Style feat. Craig Martin - He Spoke Style

“For me, race-day style is special and I still go all out to seek a fun outfit with just a bit of formality. The first races I attended were the point to point steeplechases during my college years at Delaware. I realized these tailgates were different from the football games I had been attending on Saturdays. Next thing you know, I started to buy an outfit specifically for the steeplechase every year.”

Preakness Men's Style feat. Craig Martin - He Spoke Style

“For my Preakness look this year, I chose a sport coat in a custom cashmere/wool blend by my shop the Quinntessential Gentleman. It is a grey/blue/red plaid slim cut peak lapel with throat tab. The lining is Toile inspired. My pants are also a Quinntessential Gentleman Custom piece in cream. I wanted a very clean and crisp look, so I designed these without pleats or belt loops.”

Preakness Men's Style feat. Craig Martin - He Spoke Style

“My loafers are Allen Edmonds Grand Caymans styled with a croc pattern and gold horsebits. I chose a two-sided bowtie by Social Primer, which I flipped one side to expose both elements of the tie to pull out the small amount of red in my jacket.”

Preakness Men's Style feat. Craig Martin - He Spoke Style

“My personal style is definitely more on the formal side. I love wearing suits and, in fact, wear one almost everyday. I also love accessories and what is happening with socks these days. Right now, I am partial to bright and stripes. I am also a fan of blending patterns in a way that works. Tattersalls, ginghams, stripes, and plaids are like puzzles that I find interested to layer if they blend (but easy to look bad if they don’t).

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“I am loving pocket rounds that are handmade in our shop that are full of patterns and play off my tie or the slightest color in my jacket. Hidden gems are nice, so I like to surprise with my jacket’s lining or a secret cell phone pocket hidden in the back of the jacket.”

Preakness Men's Style feat. Craig Martin - He Spoke Style

Preakness Men's Style feat. Craig Martin - He Spoke Style

Preakness Men's Style feat. Craig Martin - He Spoke Style

“For race-day style, I would say to have fun and be adventurous. Leave the obvious in your closet or you will see a bunch of dudes wearing the same thing. And don’t try and match your date. Both of you looking good is enough matching for me.”

Preakness Men's Style feat. Craig Martin - He Spoke Style

This Look: Plaid blazer by Quinntessential Gentleman Custom (similar here), Cream trousers by Quinntessential Gentleman Custom (similar here), White oxford shirt by Southern Proper (similar here), Bow tie by Social Primer, Pocket round by Quinntessential Gentleman Handmade, Flower lapel pin by hook + Albert, Watch by Seiko, Button covers by Ravi Ratan (similar here), Keyhole Wayfarer sunglasses by Ray-Ban, Horsebit loafers c/o Allen Edmonds (Grand Cayman)

Be sure to check out the other two Preakness looks featured on the site. Click here for mine and click here to see Master Tailor Earle Bannister’s look.

Thanks for reading.

Stylishly Yours,

He Spoke Style

Photography by Rob McIver Photo.

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.

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