Brent Whaley’s parents owned a construction company, and at the age of 12, he was goaded into helping out. He needed a pair of solid work boots for the job, and suddenly became aware of what the people around him wore on their feet both on and off the job site. That was his introduction to boots, and from there, leather footwear became a full blown obsession. When he moved out of construction and into fine dining, he developed a penchant for dress boots. These days he’s known to rock a style that’s somewhere in between. He started blogging a few years back, and his signature, rugged but refined looks quickly garnered attention. We chatted with Brent to find out what personal style is and how it can be discovered.
TB:
How can a guy find his own style, without looking like he’s desperately trying to do so?
BW:
If a guy stays true to himself and wears what he likes — that’s style. If you wear what you’re drawn to, your style will work itself out because your clothes will be an extension of your personality. Personalized pieces will naturally match each other. Being true to yourself will also make you feel comfortable, which translates to confidence.
TB:
What’re your rules of thumb for getting dressed in the morning?
BW:
Two things. Firstly, pick a theme. Match your outfits in terms of color and personality. But, it doesn’t have to be an obvious theme like “cowboy.” There should just be some degree of intentionality behind what your wear and one piece should flow into the next.
The second thing to keep in mind is that dark denim goes with pretty much everything. Every guy should have at least one pair of dark blue jeans. Dark denim can be both dressed up, and casually worn around town. You can wear dark blue jeans with T-shirts, or navy blazers, or both.
I always recommend staying away from fast fashion and buying pieces that are only trending right now. But, if you’re going to do it now and then, just make sure you already own all of the essentials.
TB:
What should a guy keep in mind while shopping?
BW:
Build your wardrobe around a few pieces that will never go out of style. It’s all about quality over quantity. Buy super solid, high-quality pieces that will only get better in time. If you feel like you’ve gotten to a point where you have enough staples, remember to match the clothes you buy afterwards with those timeless pieces. I always recommend staying away from fast fashion and buying pieces that are only trending right now. But, if you’re going to do it now and then, just make sure you already own all of the essentials.
TB:
What’s an important rule of style that men tend to overlook?
BW:
I say there are no “rules” of style. If you want to pair brown with black, go for it. I wear a lot of weird hats and people say, “Man, I love that hat, but I couldn’t pull it off.” Well, the only reason they couldn’t pull it off is because they think they can’t pull it off. If you believe an eccentric piece of clothing matches your style, nobody is going to walk by you and think, “What is that guy wearing?” Match your clothes, but if you want a certain aesthetic to be yours, there’s nothing stopping you from getting it besides your own insecurities.
TB:
What does every man need in his wardrobe?
BW:
Every guy should own at least one pair of good Oxford or wingtip dress shoes, and Chelsea or cap-toed dress boots as well. I’ve been wearing Chelsea boots a ton lately. I really like Thursday’s Dark Olive Suede Duke boots because they go with everything and look great in the summer.
