This Milford grocery manager likes vintage style, hats
WHO: JD Bennett, 31, of Milford, assistant grocery produce manager and freelance photographer. He also is an active booster of downtown Milford and creator of the MyMilford Facebook community.
WHY: He was nominated by Style Files alum Cindy Small, who says: “JD has a unique style. From his vintage jacket finds, to his bow ties and Goorin Bros. hats, he is a step back in time. JD is an artist behind the camera, and his eye for detail shows through personally, in pictures and his writing.”
HIS STYLE: Vintage, “especially the 1920s. I am very big into hats.”
WEARING, in and about Downtown Milford:
FIRST OUTFIT – Goorin Bros. gray Frenchie Jones boater; bicycle hand-painted wooden bowtie from eBay; cream short-sleeve button-down shirt thrifted from Goodwill; navy twill vest from Men's Wearhouse; navy blazer thrifted from Goodwill; Dockers Game Day khakis from Ross; Perry Ellis Portfolio brown oxford shoes from Famous Footwear.
SECOND OUTFIT – Goorin Bros. Big Boy Kris pork pie hat; Free Planet anchor print button-down shirt from Boscov's; Nautica navy plain-front shorts from eBay; Croc's navy and white boat shoes.
THIRD OUTFIT – Goorin Bros The Mickie pork pie hat; Tranquility Mayhem Hawaiian button-down shirt from Boscov's; Rags and Rivets khaki cargo shorts from Boscov's; Robert David brown-and-tan boat shoes from Shoe Dept.
WHERE HE SHOPS: For hats, Goorin Bros. in near Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia. “I find myself at Goodwill looking for ties. I also shop at Boscov’s.”
HOW HE SHOPS: “I like to get feedback from my wife when I shop. She is my judge and jury.”
AND FURTHERMORE: "I should own stock in the store in Philadelphia where I buy all my hats."
FASHION ICON(S): He is inspired by Golden Age of Hollywood, “especially the gangster movies.”
MOST RECENT PURCHASE: A button-up vest from Men’s Wearhouse.
OLDEST ITEM IN HIS CLOSET: “My grandfather’s Fedora, passed down to me when I started getting into hats.”
BEST BARGAIN EVER: “Goorin’s has a loyalty card where you get a free hat up to $100 after the purchase of 10 hats. I’ve gotten two great hats for free.”
BEST CELEBRITY HAIR: Johnny Depp.
GROOMING TIPS: “If you are trying to grow a beard and you find yourself itching, buy some beard oil. Essential oils protect the skin. Beard oil and a wooden comb go a long way into making the beard look well groomed and less wild man. Plus, the scents are so amazing it could replace cologne.”
BEST FOOT FORWARD: “In the summer time, I wear a lot of boat shoes. I also have nice dress shoes.”
FAVORITE COLOR: Navy blue. “Over half my wardrobe has navy blue in it.”
FAVORITE FRAGRANCE: “Anything with a fresh smell to it, especially Joe Boxer. I got it as a gift from my sister-in-law.”
FASHION EVOLUTION: “I was always interested in fashion trends when I was growing up. Adidas sneakers. The punk rock image. In the past five years I have grown into my own fashion sense, trying for that dapper look.”
WORTH THE SPLURGE: Hats.
NOT WORTH THE SPLURGE: Shirts. “I like to find a good deal and not pay full asking price.”
WISH I HADN’T BOUGHT IT: “I bought a lot of hats online that looked good on my computer. But when they arrived they did not look good in person. They sat around and finally wound up getting donated to Goodwill.”
INDISPENSABLE WARDROBE ITEM: A great suit “that really expresses who you
are.”
FASHION ADVICE: “Go with your gut. Don’t let anybody tell you what you should be wearing.”
ORGANIZATION TIPS: “Keep all your good clothes together, dress shirts and such. Keep your ties together. An old cigar box works. You don’t want to have to dig through all your clothes to find one item.”
ACE ACCESSORY: A boater hat. “I wear it out to concerts and to fancy dinners. I feel confident wearing one.”
BOW TIE OR STRAIGHT TIE? Bow tie.
BELT OR SUSPENDERS? Suspenders.
DENIM, LEATHER OR TWEED? Denim.
WHY FASHION IS IMPORTANT: “Fashion expresses who we are. If a gentleman wears the clothes that look best on him it boosts his confidence in himself—and other people around him notice. Being presentable speaks positively about ourselves. Nothing is more attractive to a woman than a man with a sense of style and confidence. So don't be afraid to be you, and step outside the norm.”
Style Files runs weekly in Sundaylife. To suggest someone stylish to feature—your coworker, teacher, friend, relative or even yourself—please send information to stylefiles@delawareonline.com and include contact information. Pictures are super, too. Reach Eileen Smith Dallabrida at esmith@smithreports.com