The best fashion advice I’ve ever received is that trends are the best way to blend in. Everyone shops at the same four places – especially if, like me, you live somewhere like the Midwest where all we have are malls. This means you’re bound to run into someone wearing the exact same outfit as you. If you want to be unique with your styling, try online shopping or boutiques in other cities. They carry a unique, always rotating collection.

The five things I can’t live without are a great coat, sunglasses, anything black, a smart duffel bag and my DSLR – what else would I use to capture my #ootd?

A wool-blend tweed topcoat from Ralph Lauren’s Purple Label is top of my winter wish list. It's beautifully made-by-hand with peak lapels, plaid wool, crafted in Italy, and a double-breasted silhouette. It’s a pure dream coat. But my most recent purchase was a pair of sunglasses from J Crew.

My everyday outfit formula is a top tucked into a pair of jeans or khakis with loafers. As something with no real waistline, I tuck in everything I wear to give the appearance that I’m taller. Right now, a green field jacket from J Crew is getting a lot of airtime. This is probably my longest lasting piece. It goes with everything, perfect for fall, and it’s my favourite shade of green. The only thing I would never wear is yellow. Anything that remotely resembles the shade has been banned indefinitely from my life and future children’s lives.

I’m not big into shoes. I mainly stick to loafers and boots, and sandals in summer. I do have a few sneakers but they’re mostly like the Nike Killshots – low-top classics. There are some interesting shoe designs that catch my eye that I know would not look good on me, but it’s nice to watch from afar.

My thoughts on men’s jewellery? Do not go overboard. No more than two pieces per look.

My Ralph Lauren Rugby collection is really starting to add up. I’m only able to find pieces second hand since the sub-brand ceased production in 2013. The tweed Rugby loafers have been the rarest, and most expensive, find, so I would say that’s my biggest investment piece.

‘Shop with a purpose’ is my shopping philosophy. If you just stop in to browse, this is the easiest way to buy something you don’t need and suddenly you have a closet full of useless pieces. Go in with your look in mind. This will also give the floor clerk something to do when they ask the obligatory question, ‘Need help finding anything?’

Some cool, under-the-radar brands to check out are The Brooklyn Circus, The Rake, The Armoury NYC and The Rowing Blazers.
 

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