Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Worn Out Wednesday – Topper Luciani

Topper is one wild dude from Connecticut who now lives in New York and runs a well respected women’s online second hand goods store (show this to your gal for major style credit). Don’t worry, he will be working on a men’s site soon. Here he talks about his company and his personal style.

I started Niftythrifty.com in 2012 by selling used neck ties on eBay. Then I realized the real business is in vintage women’s clothing. I’m trying to make it a giant web department store for secondhand goods and so far so good. We will be launching men’s down the line, but focusing on women’s for now.

Recommended Videos

As for my own personal fashion, one of the most influential factors in creating the style I have today was a girlfriend I had when I was young who was more turned on by my not giving a fiddlers fart how I dressed. From then on I started really getting shlubby. It’s leveled out over the years since I couldn’t go into every situation wearing Umbros, Crocs and a flannel shirt but that is still basically my uniform.

Jeans: Levis 501 blue or basic black denim from Uniqlo.

Shirts: Ralph Lauren or Uniqlo oxfords all the livelong day.

Pants:  I’m rarely not wearing denim.

Suits: if I have to wear a suit I rock a vintage Oxxford that I bought at an estate sale. It makes me feel like Prince Charles.

Shoes: Vans to make her dance. Also,  Nike Free’s changed my life. I run in them and love them soooo much!

Accessories: I usually sport a Bob Hope charity golf tourney Timex, a G-Shock or a Blancpain Léman. I’ve been wearing the fancy one more often after I spotted Vladimir Putin wearing it! I love my Bamboo rolling papers baseball hat that I had to send 100 empty packages in to redeem. Sometimes I rock blue glass beads that everyone thinks are religious. I just wear them to make myself look like more of a nut.

Outerwear: I’m pretty Normcore so lots of Patagonia but this past winter I rocked a vintage Barbour and a vintage Bogner.  Being in the vintage business ensures that lots of amazing gear passes through my doors. I try to never get high on my own supply but occasionally I take a bump if you will.

Your favorite App: This is gross and I hate myself for admitting this because I’m kind of over it but I use Instagram the most of all my apps.

Favorite piece of technology: Elance.com has changed my life. It’s allowed me to outsource my entire existence. I actually outsourced this interview and these responses are actually from a boy in Bangladesh.

Next tech purchase:  I’ve ripped through so many iPod minis because I lose them so I am buying another one of those today. But my next big purchase is going to be an early 90s Ferrari. Not really techy except I picture Larry Ellison burning rubber out of some West Coast dealership in the early 90s and that is certainly a steeze I want to endorse and emulate.

Cator Sparks
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering…
New Balance, Aimé Leon Dore celebrates five years of style with a new sneaker
New Balance, Aimé Leon Dore release new shoe
pair of new balance sneakers

The partnership between New Balance and Aimé Leon Dore is nothing short of a love match. After five years of stylish collaborations, the pair have again finished the year with another sneaker release. When these two brands work together the result will be trendy, exclusive, and practical. Although the pairing has only been around for half a decade, the brands have successfully released sneaker after sneaker that encapsulates both brands perfectly. New Balance and Aimé Leon Dore are returning to one of their very first partnerships for what might be their last collaboration of the year. Reviving the very first shoe of their collaboration, both brands have updated the silhouette to showcase just how far the East Coast-based brands have come. 
Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 997

Returning to the Made in the USA 997, Aimé Leon Dore and New Balance are remixing their original collaborative sneaker for a more colorful design. Using mixed materials, multi-colored silhouettes, suede overlays, and mesh underlays the sneaker boasts a more refined yet fun look than its predecessor. The ENCAP midsole and rubber outsole complete the design giving the sneaker a premium look from the inside out. Along with the multi-colored sneaker, the pair have released numerous clothing items that pair perfectly with the footwear. Donning colors like olive green, red, yellow, and blue, this sneaker is anything but subtle or minimalist. Available via Aimé Leon Dore’s web store, the sneaker retails for $220. While the collaboration between Aimé Leon Dore and New Balance doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon, their newest sneaker drop is the perfect culmination of five years of style and iconic silhouettes.

Read more
How Our Legacy Work Shop and ROA created the most elegant hiking boot around
Our Legacy Work Shop, ROA create new hiking boot
side profile of brown and black hiking boot

When choosing hiking boots, most will solely focus on features that help support the foot inside and can successfully handle rugged terrain. For Our Legacy Work Shop and Italian-based ROA, creating their third collaborative design meant taking the hiking boot standard a step further. Made with recycled materials and an extensive craftsmanship process, the newest collaboration is nothing short of quality and style. Marking their third partnership, these two brands have included the best of their distinct styles and processes for the ultimate boot. While the craftsmanship takes this design to the next level, the materials and details truly make this a must-have for hikers. With plenty of character and sturdiness, the hiking boot delivers not only style but plenty of substance. 
Work Shop Andres Boot 

Using Swedish Vacchetta leather from residual tannery offcuts, these hiking boots are constructed and made in Italy, where they undergo further processes to get the design’s sleek look. With a vegetable tanning process, the uppers are given their unique coloring and character that makes every pair one-of-a-kind. Apart from leather, these boots utilize matte and hairy suede to give them even more texture and dimension. Vibram Megagrip soles and padded tongue give the hiking boot a further sense of volume and ruggedness. Smaller details like rope laces, heel tabs, and metal eyelets bring the design together. Ideal for rough terrain and urban environments, these are your typical hiking boots. The Andres Boot is available for purchase via Our Legacy’s web store and retail for 590 EUR in either black or brown hues. 

Read more
Ledbury goes fishing with first tech shirt in tandem with Current Culture
Get out of the board room and on the water with Ledburry
Current Culture x Ledbury fisherman

There are two ways to start a morning that most men experience. One is the daily grind. The moment you enter your office with all you need to accomplish for the day laid out in front of you, waiting for you to get to it. It can get monotonous; sometimes, even the shirt you're wearing can make the difference. Being excited to wear an elevated but comfortable custom shirt is what Ledburry adds to your day so you can get things done. But then there is that other day when you wake up before dawn, pack your truck, and head to the banks of the river, eager to wet your line and wait for the day's catch. It isn't about the fish; it is about reconnecting with nature and purging the stress of the grind from your soul. Luckily, that doesn't mean you have to lose the elevated but comfortable custom shirt. The Ledbury x Current Culture Tulu shirt is set up to be your new favorite tech shirt.
Getting you connected with the water

This is Ledbury's first tech shirt designed specifically for fishing, so they tested it out with guides from Current Culture in the streams of Virginia. It has two velcro chest pockets, side vents because you can rarely predict the weather in Virginia, and even a hidden cloth to keep your glasses clean. It is also made from 100% recycled polyester, so you can look and feel good while knowing that you are leaving the streams for those who follow us. A bonus is the custom sizing works the same as any other Ledbury shirt, so you know it will fit just as well and add function to the fashion.
Ledbury Tulu fishing shirts

Read more