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Welcome to the latest edition of Working It, where Racked takes street style to the next level—the office. The litmus test of the true style-savvy is how she (or he) rocks her look on any old day to work. Forget the pedestrian khakis and a button downs—these fashionable professionals take the office dress code to a whole other dimension. Quick, somebody call HR!
Photo credit: Anna Fischer for Racked.com
This week, we take you to the New York headquarters of Bonobos, the men's apparel brand known for providing clothes with an amazing fit. In addition to their own line, Bonobos is also a go-to retailer for 75 other brands, like Jack Spade and Gant. We recently found out that the staff behind it all is pretty damn handsome—and not to mention impeccably well-dressed at the office.
Andy Dunn, Co-Founder and CEO: I like to wear color and to dress differently day-to-day. In general I'm skeptical of anything trendy. Three style icons I admire are JFK, Paul Smith, and Andre3000.
Andy is wearing a Bonobos "Win-Win" dress shirt, a Bonobos "Fundamental" jacket, Bonobos "Lemon Drops" chinos, a Bonobos "Ribbon Belt," and Tod's shoes.
Style advice: Every outfit should have one unexpected thing, one conversation starter, one beachhead for a casual compliment, one thing that says you care. When in doubt, wear a blazer. Surprise and delight with ties and bow-ties. If you don't think you can pull off a hat, you can't. Shoes are important. Socks all the time are not. Business casual is out. Clean white pocket squares are a default. These rules should be dismissed immediately if you have strong point of view about your own style.
Tim Mccarthy, Visual Designer: I consider my style to be casual preppy. I wear a button down shirt almost every day but it's untucked 99% of the year. As a graphic designer, I like to have fun with palettes, patterns and punches of color.
Tim is wearing a Bonobos "Calling Card" cardigan, a Bonobos "Ging Crosby" gingham shirt, a Nooka Zub watch, Bonobos "Sand Power Cords," and Sebago "Fairhaven" boots.
Style advice: If you're going to spend your hard earned money on clothes, do it right the first time. Only buy things that fit you, look good on you and won’t fall apart after a year. Quality over quantity is golden. You're not in control of a lot of things in life, but you can choose what you wear every morning.
David Fudge, Head of Social Marketing: Thankfully, I've graduated from my elementary school obsession with denim shorts and embroidered tees from the Disney store. These days, I'd describe my style as classic but not too preppy, comfortable but fitted, and colorful but not too crazy.
David is wearing a Bonobos "Stewart Royal" blazer and Bonobos "Flatiron" rinse jeans, Eastland 1955 boots, and a Personality Milano knit tie.
Style advice: I'm a big believer that it's all in the fit. My advice is to find a great tailor. Then take all those oversized, ill-fitting shirts and pants, and tell him/her that you want to look a lot less like George Costanza and a lot more like George Clooney...or you could just buy clothes that fit from Bonobos.
Richard Mumby, Vice President of Marketing: My personal style is modern preppy, and typically pretty comfortable. I grew up in Connecticut, where bright colors and patterned clothes are more common than a woman in a black dress at a NYC cocktail party. Bonobos twists classic American design, adapting it with a more fun attitude.
Richard is wearing a Bonobos "All-Rounder" oxford shirt, a Miansai tie bar, a "Mortimer" red and blue stripe Personality Milano tie, a Bonobos "Milanese" navy corduroy blazer, Bobobos "Flatiron" rinse jeans, Grenson shoes, and a Bonobos "Third Degree" belt.
Style advice: Guys should feel comfortable in their clothes, without looking sloppy. Well-fitting pants and shirts don't need to be constricting. You can look great without seeming like you're on the way to the gym.
Derek Lasher, Ninja Chief to Staff: The best way to describe my style is "roughed up and polished." It's grounded in classic, understated pieces broken in to perfection. Think well-worn jeans with an OCBD* or washed chinos and a sun-faded polo. Invest in the good stuff and then enjoy breaking it in! (*Oxford Classic Button Down.)
Derek is wearing a Bonobos "All-Rounder" oxford shirt, a Bonobos "Dartford" sweater, Bonobos "Graham Slackers" pants, Happy Socks socks, and Grenson "Tom" lace-up shoes.
Style advice: Keep an eye out for items that will wear in over time--not wear out. As soon as you actually do wear anything out, treat that as justification to spoil yourself with the best version of its replacement you can afford. I try not to buy anything that I can't picture myself still wearing ten years down the road.
· Bonobos [Official Site]
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