Los Angeles, CA is famous for it's Hollywood stars, opulent lifestyles and fancy cars. One would assume that a city based on image and appearances would boast an opulent airport. However, LAX (Los Angeles International Airport) is anything but opulent. In fact, I would call it snoringly unattractive. Yet as I walked through the terminal and approached my gate, a man stood out in the sea of blah. He was a perfect example of polished-casual. He wasn't over done; just done well.
As luck smiled upon me, the only two seats left, were next to him and his beautiful family. Casual conversation ensued and as small worlds collide, we discovered we lived in the same city, and I have exclusively used his company's service during the past decade to repair damage to my cars (I promise I am a good driver, I just have bizarre luck!!).
Brent is the Production Manager of Auto Craft and was returning from a sunny escape to LA with his family. From a distance, I noticed Brent was wearing dark denim jeans, a tailored oxford shirt and nice accessories. He looked handsome, confident and successful.
Brent is an interesting dichotomy. On the one hand, he reads InStyle magazine to help him stay up to date in the fashion world, and on the other hand, he reads Car and Driver to fuel his auto world obsession. Unlike your stereotypical auto dude, Brent loves shopping and his favorite brand is Armani. Like me, he LOVES shoes, and his favorites are by Gucci, Prada and Santoni. He says he is in the practical stage of life now, as a father of two, and therefore wears ECCO loafers, Cole Haan and his infamous red Puma driver shoes.
I asked Brent how he developed his style, and taste in clothing. He said he grew up with style because his parents were very well dressed and had both an eye for cars and an eye for clothing. He admitted he was picked on in high school, and college especially, as being an "over-dresser." He said he was quite arrogant in his twenties but now that he is a father, he's mellowed because "having children is humbling."
Brent said he was a sworn bachelor for years and while he dated a lot of models, he didn't plan on settling down. However, in his thirties, the right woman found him! They married and are the proud parents of a five year old daughter and three year old son. As a father, Brent said there is a bigger purpose behind his style; to be consistently polished and presentable to make his children proud to have him as their father. Brent's wife Andrea said "he is always 'done' and looks good all the time." Brent beams with pride when he hears his daughter say "my dad is always dressed nice."
The biggest challenge Brent faces with regards to clothing is living in a small town; which is why he loves to travel! Brent says he wants a timeless look, yet also admits he wants to know what's in and what's out to ensure he stays up to date. While he loves to shop, living in a town with just the "bare essentials" leaves him frustrated since internet shopping is essentially window shopping because he doesn't want to buy something unless he can touch it first.
The biggest pet peeves he has about men's clothing in general are loose fitting clothes, especially dress shirts. He was wearing a tailored shirt he had custom made for him at The Custom Shop in LA. However, for men with his trim physique (he is a former professional cyclist and still cycles for fitness), he said most shirts are too loose in the torso and arms. He doesn't want to wear the Seinfeld puffy shirt but doesn't have many options where he lives.
Brent is a good example of a man who likes to shop, but due to his location, doesn't have the clothing options available to meet his needs. The Trunk Club is a great option for men is this situation because clothing is hand selected and sent directly to him so he can see it, touch it and try it on live (via webcam) with his TC expert. With an expert at his service, he doesn't have to worry or spend time trying to make sure his clothing look is up to date. And, he can buy with confidence knowing he is getting pieces that help him look his best. While many Trunk Club members join because they hate to shop, TC can also be a huge benefit to men who like to shop, but don't have the right stores available in their area.
Brent mentioned at the end of his interview that in car racing you "look good, drive good." This seems to perfectly sum up a man who loves fashion and looking good; and loves cars and living well.
Thank you, to Brent, his wife Andrea and their two beautiful children, for their time and friendship on the way home from LA!
-Lisa Bruckner Trunk Club Expert
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