Today we speak to Paul Trible, co-founder and CEO of Ledbury.
I once had a girlfriend who was always embarrassed because I “dressed like a professor.” Then a few years ago, “dressing like a professor” became cool, and I somehow ended up with a clothing company. I am pretty certain that this trend – like most – will pass, and I will go back to embarrassing my girlfriend (now wife). But in the meantime, I keep winning her approval wearing tweed and herringbone with pride.
I have always loved clothes, and I am not quite sure who to blame for that; maybe my grandfather who wore a seersucker suit every Sunday in the summer, or my father who wore a tie to dinner every night of my childhood. As a kid, I remember getting my first suit when I was 10 years old. The suit was tan and double breasted. It made me feel like a mobster, and in fifth grade, that was a very good thing.
Flash-forward to high school, and like many people who end up in the clothing business, I spent a lot of time in thrift stores. I had a tailor at 16 and would take clothes to him to be altered and then wear them to school the next day. A camel hair blazer, moleskin pants and shoulder-length hair made quite a statement against a backdrop of throwback jerseys in the high school halls of the late 90’s.
Fifteen years later, this strange affinity for clothing had me passing up more lucrative pursuits and going to work for a tailor on Jermyn Street in London. He taught me most everything I know about clothing. He stressed the need to have a few very well made pieces in the closet that are classic in style and simple in construction. I remember his mantra, “simple things tend to last.”
When I get dressed I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about what works. I’m a guy, and most importantly I want my clothes to fit well, last and be comfortable. When people look at how I am dressed, I don’t want them to say “what a great outfit,” I want them to think that guy “dresses well”.
I think there are very few, if any, rules in dressing . Maybe only wear sunglasses when sunny, and always wear a blazer on a plane. The latter holds true as many pockets are a must, and I have found that if you look like you belong in first class, you can sometimes find yourself there.
But that is about it. In the end, I think a man’s clothes should fit well, last a long time and not embarrass his significant other. On a good day, I can hit two out of three.
As for Paul’s personal style:
Jeans: Shockoe Denim. Good friends making great jeans in Richmond.
Old Boy Nolley Rinse Jeans.
Shirts: Ledbury slim fit brushed twill flannel. Italian woven flannel sounds extravagant, but it’s worth it
Pants: Ledbury Franklin 5 pocket canvas pants. Biased, I know, but I own two of every color
Suits: P. Johnson Tailors, Roma Suit. The owner, Patrick Johnson, and I share a mentor. After training in London and conquering Australia, they now have a showroom in New York.
Shoes: Peter Nappi – Alfeo Cap Toe Boot
Accessories: 1967 Omega Seamaster. Purchased in North London with my first adult paycheck.
Outerwear: Freeman’s Sporting Club Deck Jacket
Favorite Cologne: Creed, Irish Tweed (wife’s favorite)
Your favorite App: Politico (I’ll admit I am a junky)
Favorite piece of technology: Sonos Speaker System
Next tech purchase: Another Sonos Speaker
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