Ask Chris Benz: Can You Give Guys Some Style Advice?

Dear Chris,

Right now, you only design for women. I’m a guy, but I love your aesthetic. How do you dress? Who are your favorite designers? Inquiring minds want to know!

Thank you

Dear Guy -

Thanks for the compliment!

I am usually exhausted by the time I have to think about my own clothes, so I tend to dress simply/haphazard. My go-to is a navy blue blazer, because it’s completely classic and looks perfect with everything. I think men should really restrict themselves to wearing a white shirt, navy blazer, and Levis 501s with a Converse Chuck Taylor, and call it a day. That is–until there is CB menswear, and then they should wear mustard pleat-front shorts, chiffon tuxedo shirts, sequined blazers, and loads of friendship bracelets, natch!

I actually don’t have very many clothes in my closet, and everything is sort of predicated on a t-shirt-and-jeans foundation. I am always looking for some casual way to look dressed-up, because I don’t prefer wearing suits and I don’t even own a pair of black dress shoes! My idea about dressing myself wholly informs the CHRIS BENZ womens collection in that we aspire to be pretty and comfortable.

I like oversized t-shirts & tanks, baggy jeans, Nantucket Reds from Murray’s Toggery, and vintage straw hats. I haven’t ever really gotten over the pant-leg tight-roll from elementary school, so that’s become somewhat of a standard style for me. A penny loafer, a Church’s wingtip in a weirdo color, vintage army watches, rubber bands, striped athletic socks, these are all things I have around to throw on.

Try a strange pant with a plain t-shirt. It’s the boy equivalent to a new handbag. I recently got a pair of football pants from the 50s that are making everything else I have look new.

I have loads of navy blazers, white shirts, and a cornucopia of Levis in all sorts of thrashed disrepair. I have lots of vintage menswear, shorts in-particular, in a million colors. I love my alma mater, J.Crew, for essentials like the perfect grey sweatshirt or rumply shirting. If I buy something special, it is usually Comme des Garçons.

Xx

CB



Got a question for Chris? Email him on askchrisbenz@fashionista.com.