The Men's Issue

Q&A With Trunk Club CEO Brian Spaly

Guy’s not sure how to shop or what to buy? The good news is, WE HAVE HELP! Chicago based men’s clothing consulting agency Trunk Club (www.trunkclub.com) specializes in all of your male shopping and fashion needs. I caught up with Trunk Club CEO Brian Spaly to get the inside scoop on all things men’s fashion.  

So what inspired you to go into men’s personal styling?

My experience starting a men’s brand, Bonobos, exposed me to some of the broader issues that guys face with respect to their image and their wardrobes. Over time, I recognized that most guys could really benefit from professional advice and some education on what to buy, when to wear it, how to put a great outfit together, etc. At Bonobos we fixed the khaki diaper butt problem, and gave guys much better looking, better fitting trousers. At Trunk Club, we can do that for every category, including denim, polos, sport shirts, shoes, sweaters and blazers. I love working with guys to help them become a lot more thoughtful about what they wear and giving them the tools they need to dress themselves.

What is the key to successful shopping for men?

First, you need to focus on fit above everything else. Second, it is important for guys to know what colors work best for their complexion, hair color, etc.  Third, I think it’s good for guys to know what they will and will not get a lot of use out of; we hear funny stories from our customers about closets filled with clothes they never wear. We ask ourselves: why on earth did you buy that in the first place? Last, I always steer guys toward staple pieces that are versatile and long-lasting. A great pair of jeans is a good example: easy to care for, last a long time, look great without much hassle (no need to iron, dry clean,
etc).

 Trunk Club CEO Brian Spaly

What essentials should every man shop for each season?

Men that shop successfully should find that their wardrobes only require minor updates each season. Once you have a solid foundation, you should be able to wear many of your favorite pieces for much more than one season. I encourage guys to find one or two new outfits each season that enable their style to evolve over time. For example, a guy that has recently received a promotion at work might decide to invest in a handsome cashmere blazer - a piece that should last for 5-10 years. The next year, perhaps he’ll invest in a new overcoat that is camel-colored if he already has grey. Over time, he’ll start to build an array of outstanding, elegant pieces and of course there are pieces that will wear out and need replacing. I don’t think guys should go crazy every season. A wardrobe should receive constant attention, not a binge every two years.

For seasons like spring and summer, I’ll suggest a new swimsuit, a new pair of seersucker trousers or shorts, and a colorful bowtie. It’s fine to wear the same suit to two different weddings, but not a great idea to repeat the same suit/shirt/tie combinations.  When a guy has a truly fantastic “wedding outfit” that is well-photographed and admired by others, he should consider passing on the tie/shirt to a friend to share the love. Rare is the statement as grand as a giving a buddy one of your favorite ties that you know he admires. Then the friend can make it his own, and our hero can search out another fabulous find. Combining generosity with sartorial brilliance is a winning blend.

Having worked in retail for many years, I often saw women having the last word when it came to a man’s purchase. How has this affected your clients and what are your views on it?

Women are often wonderful advisors and arbiters when it comes to a man’s wardrobe. We all need advice on clothing purchases (even Trunk Club Creative Director Drew Harris, a wardrobe wizard, and I ask each other for advice and tips on how to wear different items, and we are professionals) but sometimes when the woman doing the advising is a spouse or significant other, I find that legacy relationship issues creep into the process that can be counterproductive. To be honest, most women are NOT professional shoppers and therefore not nearly as well positioned to advise on a man’s wardrobe as a Trunk Club expert will be - it’s what we do 40-60 hours a week, nor 4-6 hours every 3 months. Ideally, Trunk Club guys get help from the women in their lives because they want to get buy-in and they appreciate the candid advice of a loved one. In the worst cases, we find the presence of a spouse with strong opinions can retard the process of renewing a sense of style and updating a man’s wardrobe. Is that diplomatic enough?

Can you tell my readers the benefits of services offered at The Trunk Club?

I started Trunk Club after Bonobos because I heard from a lot of guys who wanted help finding excellent, high-quality pieces for every category, not just pants. And they wanted someone to help narrow down the options and coach them a little bit in a personal kind of way. Basically, they were tired of the traditional retail shopping experience. Trunk Club offers men anywhere in the country access to a pre-edited collection of casual wear, and the benefit of having a personal expert stylist on call to hand-select outfits based on their individual fit and needs. Some guys who use our service hate to shop (or just don’t have time), but others just appreciate easy access to brands they can’t normally find and the thoughtful feedback of our team here. We don’t charge anything for our service (clients pay retail price for the clothing and nothing more), so our guys really enjoy the extra touch of personal attention.

I read that Genetic Denim and Earnest Sewn sport shirts are staples in your closet right now, what are some of your favorite men’s labels currently?

Those brands are recent discoveries for me. I’m also loving a lot of the product we sell from Jack Spade. But truth be told, I’ve always been a Ralph Lauren fan. I would give my life savings to be able to carry Rugby (they don’t wholesale the brand…. yet!) and am always dazzled by the quality and ingenuity of their design team and yet the practical and honest price points in their line. I’ve also started wearing PACT underwear, which is sensational. There is a Japanese brand called Panda House that I like for workout clothes - and I am also fond of BAPE skate shoes and Devil Nut (Shanghai) belts.  Most of my pants are still Bonobos - I keep wondering if someone else will copy that fit and marvel at how much more flattering they are than any other brand we carry.

- Nick Lett

*Special thanks to Brian Spaly and Monique Huey-Jones

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