We’re doing something a little different today. For the first time in our series we’re featuring a stylish gent. Devon-based Keith Summers (44) works as a Warehouse Supervisor, and documents his outfits over at Silver Londoner. He also forms a very stylish duo with his wife Catherine, who we featured a while back. Keith is a sharp dresser who does casual and dressy equally well. His polished style combines Modern Classic pieces with a trendy and preppy integrity. Our 5’11” blogger rocks a cardigan, has an excellent eye for detail and colour, and a knack for creating visual interest through layers and texture.
“My style has evolved quite considerably over the last five years. I think it would be fair to say that I, like most British males, was happy to wear ‘High Street Fashion’ clothing such as sneakers and jeans with an array of nondescript tops. What I wore was quite simply an area that I never considered as really important to me at that time.
What changed was a realization that as I was getting older, I was finding it more difficult to discover my identity and after moving from London more than ten years ago, there was no real multi-cultural fusion to feed off of. Over the last five years I do feel that I have reinvented myself and established a strong personal identity that I want to present in my own style, which I would describe as a blending of formal wear with a relaxed unstructured pairing. For instance, I would look to combine a blazer and tie with jeans and brogues which I feel allows me to express my wish to be smart whilst at the same time maintain an element of British sub-culture.
I am also intrigued by British fashion from the Sixties with the likes of The Beatles, Michael Caine, The Mods and David Bailey to name but a few who pushed the boundaries of what was deemed acceptable by authority and began a style revolution that still affects many people in Britain today. I try to add elements of this whenever I can as I want to recognize some of the foundations of what separates our fashion tastes from the rest of the world.
I would say that my style has matured with me from a desire to be effortlessly smart which gives me the confidence to wear ensembles that I would never have done, more than five years ago.”
Keith has the art of layering down pat. For this casual look, he’s wearing a simple white tee under a light grey V-neck cardigan. Both are peeking out from under a vintage light-wash denim jacket that adds extra warmth when sporting a medium-weight coat in Winter. An always-in-style topper like this classic double-breasted peacoat is a versatile piece to have in your wardrobe. The hip length and roomy tailored fit create flattering proportions on our blogger. Pairing the navy coat with dark-wash jeans creates a slimming vertical line. Rolling the relaxed-fit straight leg jeans once creates outfit interest structure, and showcases Keith’s tan brogues, which add a dressy touch to the look. Tortoise-framed Ray-Bans and a fun striped scarf are the accessories of choice.
Dressing up denim with a tailored blazer is a slam dunk. Keith puts an extra stylish spin on this tried-and-tested formula by doing a turtleneck instead of a shirt, and opting for a blazer in an unusual colour. The light cognac looks great with our blogger’s brown beard and silver hair — a striking combination in itself. It’s also a bolder look because of the high-contrast of the blazer against the black pullover. Tucking the finely knitted turtleneck into skinny jeans, worn a little more relaxed for a modern look, lengthens the leg line. The more rugged vibe of the two-toned lace-up ankle boots makes for an interesting outfit juxtapostion. The webbing striped belt adds fashionable flair and echoes the colours of the rest of this smart casual outfit. The pocket square is the sophisticated finishing touch.
Doesn’t Keith strike a dashing figure in his navy suit. A well-cut blazer and trousers are the key elements in this chic look. Flat-fronted straight leg trousers are generally the most flattering. They work great with Keith’s, two-button blazer, which fits well on the shoulder and is the right length and width for his frame. A classic, slim-fit white shirt amps up the dressy factor. Our blogger then adds heaps of personality with his bright orange silk tie, matching pocket square and fun argyle socks. A fab example of how to use bold-coloured accessories to your advantage. Refined, mid-brown brogues complement the navy suit beautifully. Dark-tinted sunglasses, and Keith’s neatly trimmed beard and distinguished silver hair are all that’s needed to finish off this suave outfit.
Keith rocks a sharp suit just as much as he does a cardigan or a jeans and blazer look. Here are his thoughts on his favourite types of outfits:
“My favourite types of outfits will always have me reaching for a pair of brogues, I think that they are the most elegant shoes for men and come in so many varieties of colour and style yet still retain the pattern synonymous with this classic shoe. I love wearing a blazer with a smart shirt, this is definitely where I feel most comfortable now I’m 44. I love adding a tie and pocket square which I feel raises my standards another level and then to redress the balance, I am most happy adding a pair of slim-fit jeans and a pair of coloured socks.
This to me is where I feel most confident and also, unlike how so many men dress in the area I live. I ultimately want my style to be unique to me and I sense that I have found my look over the last five years that gives me poise and most importantly makes me happy in my choices!”
Keith has a knack for creating visually attractive outfits by playing with colour and adding in textural interest. Here he’s paired a light blue dress shirt with a short military-style wool coat. Tucking the shirt into relaxed-fit skinnies, rolling the jeans and adding a belt creates outfit interest. Opting for a knitted tie instead of its woven counterpart provides subtle texture. As do the two-toned boots that combine smooth with distressed leather. Keith has a thing for colour blocked belts, and chose one in colours that don’t perfectly match but work well with the rest of the outfit. Michael Caine-style black specs and a silver tie pin are the stylish finishing touches.
Our blogger rocks a cardigan like it’s nobody’s business. He’s also not averse to putting together colours that don’t traditionally match. A fun and on trend way to incorporate irregular outfit juxtapositions. Keith is sporting dark tan flat front chinos with an oatmeal cardigan and bright red and blue shirt. Combining the pants with a plaid shirt and V-neck cardigan gives this casual look a preppy vibe. Wearing the not-too-baggy cardigan open creates a longer and leaner line. Keeping the slim-fit shirt a similar above-the-crotch-point length makes for a polished effect. Casual round-toe ankle boots in a shade that matches the pants further emphasizes the long leg line.
Pairing a blazer with subtle self-stripe pattern with a classic navy striped shirt is a great way to do double stripes without it feeling over the top. The linen jacket, casual shoes and denim relax the look, while the button-down shirt, silk tie and matching pocket square amp up the dressy factor. The blue blazer and jeans create tonal harmony, that works marvelously with the brown belt and footwear. The bright red polka dot tie throws a second pattern into the mix, and adds flamboyant pizzazz. Silver cuff links are an unexpected, but super stylish touch in a smart casual outfit. And note how Keith is remixing his beloved two-toned ankle boots. A versatile choice, because their rugged vibe contrasts nicely with the polished looks he likes to wear.
Let us know what you think of Keith’s polished and on trend style. Then hop on over to Silver Londoner to browse the rest of his outfits, or check out our blogger’s pinboards for more visual inspiration.
