Actual Man Fashion: Valet Magazine’s Cory Ohlendorf
Because the founder and editorial director of Valet Magazine, Cory Ohlendorf is a drive to be reckoned with on the earth of menswear. He’s additionally a particularly good man who I’ve loved occasionally emailing with perpetually.
So when he advised me he was relocating from Los Angeles to Tokyo, I knew I needed to get him to agree to participate in SG’s ongoing “Actual Man Fashion sequence. Ohlendorf has made a reputation for himself as a tastemaker and authority on all issues males’s style and way of life, and I used to be curious how such an enormous transfer would have an effect on his day-to-day wardrobe.
Together with his eager eye for element and deep appreciation for well-made, well-tailored clothes, you’ll see for your self why he’s develop into a go-to supply for recommendation on how guys can feel and appear their finest.
Beneath, every week within the wardrobe of the fashionable Tokyo transplant:
Monday
My type is fairly basic and clear. There’s somewhat all-American prep and a few workwear in there as properly. It hasn’t actually modified a lot over the past decade, however when you suppose you might have gadgets perpetually, the silhouette appears to shift each few years.
I’ve worn many iterations of this look—a denim jacket and a few chinos—however in 2023, I need the classic trucker to be somewhat bit outsized.
The chinos are actually a wider leg (the Los Angeles model Mom makes a killer pair) and as an alternative of a clear cuff, they’re simply reduce off and left uncooked.
Tokyo is a metropolis—like New York however not like Los Angeles—the place you want a bag to hold round all of the stuff you’re going to have for the day.
I wasn’t used to that, however I’ve tailored shortly and now admire having my necessities on the prepared.
This rugged suede tote from WP Commonplace is my go-to bag now.
It’s roomy and appears good with just about something I put on, and it’s really waterproof so I don’t have to fret about rain or random spills.
Store the outfit:
- trucker jacket: Levi’s (customized embroidered on the Haus of Strauss in Los Angeles)
- ‘Commando’ twill pants: Mom
- cotton sweater: Meriggi
- Roughout suede tote: WP Commonplace
- Wayfarer sun shades: Ray-Ban
- loafers: G.H. Bass
Tuesday
Completed with work and heading out to dinner with my associate Jeremy, adopted by a number of drinks at a speakeasy {that a} native turned me onto—Tokyo has an incredible cocktail scene.
That’s what I like a couple of good suede jacket and a pair of loafers. They take one thing that might look fairly lazy—the plain crewneck tee and worn-in classic denims I wore working from house all day—and all of the sudden flip them into one thing actually cool and nearly polished.
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I need to look sharp however not too valuable. That’s why I like classic items and stuff that’s washed and worn. I like my issues to have somewhat historical past and to really feel smooth and lived in.
Store the outfit:
Wednesday
Received an opportunity right this moment to hit up my favourite bookstore in Tokyo (one of the best bookstore in the entire world, really), Tsutaya in Daikanyama.
The climate’s been unpredictable and it was somewhat chilly, so I threw on the one sweatshirt I delivered to Japan. There’s one thing about the way in which Noah’s sweatshirts match and really feel. They’re simply so rattling good.
The identical goes for these military-style fatigue pants by Flint and Tinder. I put on them on a regular basis.
I’m realizing half-way by documenting these outfits that I actually do have a mode signature.
Virtually every little thing I put on is shades of blue or olive drab, and a complete lot of denim. That’s not a nasty factor. The truth is, it’s one thing that I’m all the time advocating to our readers.
Discover what works for you and what you are feeling good in, after which purchase one of the best of these issues.
You don’t want plenty of garments—you want high quality items that may final and look good-looking.
Transferring internationally helped solidify this. I couldn’t deliver all these garments you retain in your closet however by no means put on. Solely the best hits got here with me.
And people are the beloved classic items, the customized gadgets and tried-and-true favorites I put on over and over. Plus, it provides me an excuse to do some buying right here.
Store the outfit:
Thursday
Had a gathering at our co-working house, which suggests buying detours alongside the way in which.
Wished one thing relaxed and comfy, however nonetheless put-together. These are a few of my favourite pants from Norse Tasks. They match and really feel like Dickies, however have a extra polished vibe. I’ve worn and washed them numerous instances, traveled with them a ton, however they nonetheless look nice.
The sweater is from Beams, a Japanese model, however I really purchased it from MR PORTER whereas dwelling in California. So now it’s like I introduced it house.
Why don’t extra loafers have a gum sole? These are from Marc Nolan and I believe they’re particularly nice for hotter climate. I’m undoubtedly a man who values consolation, so I don’t mess with uncomfortable footwear that go away your toes all blistered. These slip-on and are as soft as a pair of Vans, however look a complete lot extra put-together. Plus, they’re actually reasonably priced.
Store the outfit:
Friday
Friday morning espresso run to my neighborhood store, Omnibus. In true Japanese style, they take their espresso critically and make a fully good latte. When it comes to private type, mine hasn’t modified a lot (but) since being in Tokyo, however I’ve undoubtedly embraced their appreciation of doing issues the appropriate method.
The primary style buy I made right here was a pair of Japanese-made Converse.
I’d heard that they had been made the quaint method, extra just like the Chucks from the ’60s/’70s, with unwaxed laces and a barely extra slender toe field. I attempted them on and actually liked the feel and appear.
I additionally picked up this denim shirt from a store right here known as Ships, however the t-shirt is an previous favourite from Buck Mason.
The extensive, pleated chinos are from Hole, which I discovered on-line when the J.Crew big chinos first bought out. I went on the lookout for an alternate and scored these for like twenty-five bucks and everybody’s all the time asking me the place they’re from.
Don’t sleep on these Hole low cost codes.
Store the outfit:
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Try each Actual Man Fashion characteristic right here.