Women’s fashion often gets all the attention, but we think it’s finally time to have a look at the wardrobes of SJ’s most fashionable men. From head to toe, these guys really know how to get dressed in the morning.

Ed DeSumma

When he was growing up, Ed DeSumma was literally surrounded by men’s fashion. “My father started a custom clothing company in 1960, and I worked in the shop on the weekends. I got firsthand knowledge while working in the trenches,” says DeSumma. “That’s where my true passion for fashion began.”

ED-BestDressed_0540These days, DeSumma and his brother are now the second-generation owners of the Philadelphia business, and they personally oversee every detail of each custom suit, jacket, shirt and overcoat created there. “My forte is fitting and design,” says DeSumma.

Since fashion is always evolving, DeSumma, who lives in Moorestown, says he “tries to be motivated and inspired every day to discover the latest trends. These days, a lot of men like suits with a slim, modern fit – it’s a ‘Mad Men’ look. A peak lapel style and slanted front jacket pockets, along with flat-front trousers, are also contemporary looks.

“What’s really great about these modern looks is that younger guys are getting more involved in fashion. They’re responding to the slim-fit suits and appreciating well-made suits,” he says.

Though he enjoys following – and even embracing – some of the current trends, DeSumma still appreciates the classics. “They never go out of style. A navy suit works for every man, no matter his hair color or skin tone. If you have a quality navy suit, you can get a lot of wear out of it by accessorizing with different ties, pocket squares and tie clips.”

As someone who loves fashion, DeSumma has one obvious benefit to his career. “I can continually update my wardrobe. When people ask me how many suits I have, I always say, ‘I lost track after 50.’”

Marc Poland

As a kid, Sicklerville’s Marc Poland spent countless hours watching his mom, who worked in the textile industry, sew. “My mom made our clothes, and my dad had custom suits. It was just natural that she taught me how to sew,” he says.

Marc--BestDressed_0603What began as a simple lesson from her eventually turned into a passion for Poland. “I discovered that I loved designing clothing as well. When I’ve created a jacket or a shirt that fits well, it does something for my confidence. It makes me feel great, like I’m going to accomplish something,” he says. “It’s not just about appearances – it’s psychological, too.”

For his 2000 wedding, Poland used his talent to show his appreciation for his closest friends. “My mom and I made the suits for all the men in my wedding party. It was a really fun thing for me to do, and I’ll never forget it,” he says.

Poland soon found himself spending his free time creating even more clothing. “I would spend hours in my basement making and perfecting ties,” he says. In 2008, Poland took things one step further and launched his own luxury custom clothing company – all while maintaining his job in corporate sales.

“My signature look is doing some crazy stuff with the inside of suit jackets,” he says of his business. “There’s only so much you can do to make a suit different, whether with fabrics or colored threads on the lapel or sleeves. But jacket linings – that’s a unique way to play off your personality,” Poland says. “I’ve been known to use crazy fabrics, like one with picnic baskets on it.”

Others have taken notice, and Poland has found himself dressing players from the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons, along with personalities from Comcast and ESPN. “Friends, family members and clients are always texting me pictures of clothes to see what I think,” he says. “I love it, because I love to see other men looking good.”

Brian--_NIK5909Brian Windstein

For Brian Windstein of Brigantine, the thrill of fashion is in the hunt. “I love shopping and finding something that just clicks. Once I find it, I just know – I usually don’t even try things on before I buy them.”

When Windstein, who describes his style as a “combination of preppy and hipster,” heads out on a shopping trip, he’s always on the lookout for distinctive pieces. “I get very picky, especially when it comes to shoes and ties. I don’t mind digging through the racks or going to a few different stores to find just the right thing. I want to find items that no one else will have,” he says.

It may be a pair of blue suede shoes or a cashmere cardigan that catches his eye, but Windstein is careful that whatever he buys blends into his existing wardrobe. “I know what I feel comfortable in, and I think the key to dressing well is to have pieces that you can mix and match. By rotating between key items you really like, your look falls into place and it makes your wardrobe seem bigger.”

Windstein, who is now in sales, admits his wardrobe wasn’t always something to envy. “When I was younger, I was always into sports and I never really cared about what I wore,” he says. “But as I got older, I took a liking to fashion and found myself gravitating toward nicer things. I’ve definitely developed my look over the past few years, but I’m still finding my way. That’s the cool thing about fashion – it’s always changing, and you can always find clothing that reflects your current style.”

Christain--BestDressed_0656Christian Kim

Fashion and beauty often go hand-in-hand, so it’s no wonder stylist and salon owner Christian Kim has his finger on the pulse of the latest trends in both worlds.

“In my line of work, I get the opportunity to be creative, both with my clients and my own wardrobe,” he says.

Kim’s creative job also takes him all over the world for training, so he uses his trips to shop for out-of-the-ordinary clothing and accessories only found overseas.

“Some days I’m in dress pants with a shirt and tie, but other days I’m in skinny jeans with Doc Martens boots,” Kim says. “I dress how I want, but as the owner of a business, I also make sure I dress like I know what’s going on. I always want to look professional, even if I’m wearing something more casual.”

When asked to define his style, Kim uses the term shabby chic. “My wardrobe isn’t filled with high-end, branded stuff. It’s an eclectic mix – I might mix a Gucci belt with a T-shirt from Target.”

It’s not a mix most guys would be comfortable pulling off, but Kim says men shouldn’t be afraid to experiment with fashion. “So many guys get stuck in a rut with boring khakis or jeans, and they never go outside their comfort zone. I definitely have my fallbacks. I have days I’ll just reach for my Levi’s, but sometimes you have to make the effort to go for something different.”

For Kim, that may mean shaking things up with a funky tie clip, a white watch or a pair of black, knee-high boots he loves. “I’ve had them for eight years – I wear them so much I’ve had them resoled. But they’re one of my favorite parts of my wardrobe.”

Steve Priolo

“When I was younger, my Grand-mother Priolo imparted one of the greatest quotes ever to me: ‘Cheap can be expensive.’ It’s something I’ve never forgotten, and I try to adhere to it in all areas of life,” says Steve Priolo of Voorhees.

Steve--BestDressed_0564His grandmother’s advice was especially pertinent to clothing since she worked in the garment industry, explains Priolo. “My family wasn’t wealthy, but we were always taught to dress as well as we could and take pride in our appearance.”

Priolo says this is precisely why he favors quality over quantity when it comes to his wardrobe. “I’d rather invest in two really great suits and then maximize my look with different ties, shoes and shirts. I also stay away from anything that’s trendy, because I want to maximize my investment – classic pieces tend to stand the test of time.”

Though Priolo says a high-quality suit is the foundation of a great look, he also notes that shoes play an important part. “The right shoe for the right occasion is really important, and sometimes guys overlook that. When I’m dressing up, my shoes have to have laces – I think it’s more formal. More often than not, I wear a wingtip shoe. It’s the best of classic conservatism with a bit of modernism.”

Priolo tends to gravitate toward classic patterns as well. “When it comes to my shirts, I like a little diversity, but nothing loud – herringbone and windowpane patterns are great.”

And while he’s usually buttoned up in suit and tie for his job in corporate sales for NJTV, Priolo says he enjoys dressing down on weekends – but strives to look “sophisticated without being stuffy. A nice sports jacket with a good pair of jeans and leather or suede loafers is always a great look for going out to dinner. It’s less formal, but you still look put together.”

Vince Papale

While football legend Vince Papale may be best known for wearing a green Eagles jersey, his wardrobe these days is filled with another kind of attire.

“Number 83 will always be part of my persona, but now I call a suit and tie my uniform,” he says. “When I put on a suit and tie before an appearance, it’s part of getting my ‘game face’ on for an event.”

Vince--_NIK6035As an author and motivational speaker, Papale often appears before large crowds all over the country. “My clothing is the first thing people see when I walk out on stage, so I want it to be a good reflection of me,” he says.

To ensure his suits make a great first impression, Papale turns to a tailor. “I had never thought of having a suit or shirt custom-made until a friend mentioned it to me years ago. I’ve been having them custom-made ever since,” he says. “You get a proper fit that’s comfortable and looks polished.”

These days, Papale says he asks his tailor to create his suits with a “slim, Italian fit. It’s a sharp, modern look. Since three-piece suits are also back in style, I’ve taken some of my older suits to my tailor to have him rework the lapels so they look more current.”

Papale also trusts his wife, Janet, to keep him looking fashionable. “I always take her shopping with me. She buys me some cool clothes I wouldn’t pick out for myself.”

When he’s heading out to dinner with Janet or making more casual business appearances, Papale says he likes to pair a tailored jacket and a button-down shirt with dress pants or jeans. “I love True Religion jeans. I have some that are really beaten up and beautiful – they’re very comfortable.”

And while he appreciates current clothing trends, Papale says, “Styles may come and go, but simple elegance always works.”

Lou--BestDressed_0510Assemblyman Lou Greenwald

N.J. Assemblyman Lou Greenwald calls himself a “creature of habit” when it comes to clothing. “I think it all goes back to when I was a kid at Christ the King School. Every fall, my family would head to Al’s Men and Boys’ Store in Collingswood for our uniform of gray pants, white shirt and burgundy tie.”

Though his school days are long behind him, Greenwald says, “I’m now comfortable in a suit and tie. It’s been that way since I came out of law school. Buying my first suit was a big deal, because I didn’t have much money. I told myself, ‘I’ve gotta take care of this – it has to last.’ Every time I got in the car, I would take my jacket off and neatly fold it. I still do that to this day.”

Though he’s come a long way from the two suits, four shirts and four ties he had when he first became an attorney, Greenwald still goes to great lengths to care for his clothing. “I have some suits that are 12 and even 14 years old. They still look great, because I’m very particular with them,” he says.

Greenwald, who lives in Voorhees, says another reason why his suits have stood the test of time is because he’s always reached for the classics. “I love a wide pinstripe suit paired with a tie that has some rich color. As I’ve added to my wardrobe, I’ve started to look for ties that brighten up my suits and give them some personality – though my wife always gets final say on what tie I wear,” he notes.

While Greenwald typically relies on ties to give his wardrobe personality, he’s recently discovered the character that cuff links and French-cuff shirts can add. “I’ve received a few sets of cuff links as gifts, and I love them because they’re conversation pieces that remind me of the person who gave them to me.”

February 2014
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