Finding People (Thomas Gwyn)

My personal wardrobe consultant.

When attending grade school, there was always the dreaded picture day. This was the day that so many parents looked forward to. The chance for our parents to dress us in our little sweater vests, khaki pants, and comb our tussled hair. They loved it, but as children, we often didn’t. The passion they had for our style far outweighed our own. Eager to show us off to grandparents who would eventually say something like, "oh how handsome.”
I can remember when I was younger, all I really wanted to wear were matching sweats. I looked like I had been pulled out of a crayola box. Head to toe, one single color, with a pair of cheap sneakers on to stay comfortable. When in high school, I dressed in punk rock after discovering the band Blink 182 to impress a girl. Now however, as I’ve gotten older, I find myself forever experimenting with different styles. I’ve gone through a style phase of athleisure, workwear, western, and even now I find myself more interested in the Ivy League.
With every style change that I’ve made, I’ve never been able to commit fully to all the rules and regulations that most of these groups typically carry, and as I move from one to the next, I always hold on to pieces that I still enjoy from each of them. Whether it’s showing off the tattoos I got from my days in music, the carhartts I have from when I worked construction, or the cowboy boots I got for learning how to line dance, each of these pieces still make an appearance in my rotation today.
But as I’ve begun to engage myself more and more into the ides of menswear, there has been one individual who has consistently given me better knowledge and style advice than any parent ever did when dressing me for picture day.

Thomas Gwyn

I first met Thomas at the Sid Mashburn store in Atlanta, GA sometime around the end of 2021 when I had finally worked up the nerve to check out my local menswear store for the first time. Having always been intimidated by the idea that my lack of understanding of menswear was a joke in a store like this, I braved past that, and gave them a shot. When I got there, Thomas was welcoming and eager to help me find whatever I needed. He has a vast array of knowledge on all things men’s fashion, and has been my guy for advice anytime I need help understanding what I’m looking for. He’s never tried to up-sale me on anything, but has intently listened to my needs and makes sure I put together my wardrobe in the right order, rather than skipping over necessary pieces for the sake of a unique piece that’s on a great deal.
Thomas not only works as an associate at Mashburn, but has helped their design team create new models of shoes (formally he worked for cobbler union), and he is now also on their road team as well, where he visits different cities and helps men find their best made to measure option from the selection of fabrics offered by the Mashburn brand.

Thomas’s style has always impressed me. In my own opinion, he manages to bring out an incredible balance of both professionalism and dirtbagery (in a McConaughey sense) within his wardrobe. He’s able to mix and match pieces, textures, and accessories in order to create a uniquely characteristic look. Whether its a slightly unkempt shirt and tie with a pack of spirits in the pocket under a sleek suit, a peak of his tattoos making an appearance past his cuffs, or some frayed vintage Levis with a bandanna in the back over a pair of suede tassel loafers, he always manages to create a look that is never too formal, but never too casual as well. Something for every occasion.

So just as I’ve received countless style advice from Thomas, I also wanted to take the time to learn the process that makes his style so fashionably unique.

How would you describe your style?

I like to implement classic elements in a relative way. I go with classic styles because they can be worn for years to come. The problem, is how to stay timeless but relevant, with sprinkles of ivy, western, military and workwear throughout and try and wear those elements in different ways. Something that can be worn whether in Atlanta or New York.

What part of your wardrobe do you care about the most?

It’s a tie between shoes and jeans. I’d say I’m not a shoe guy but I have more shoes than my wife, and it’s a subject that I know a lot about, but I also have over 15 pairs of jeans. I don’t feel like shoes make an outfit, but I kind of start an outfit with a pair of shoes each time.

What’s an everyday carry that you can’t leave home without?

My Filson. I can’t live without it. It carries everything I have. My ipad, books, snacks, gum, chargers, or my vices. I try and throw everything in it before I leave the house to make sure I don’t forget anything.

What’s a guilty pleasure piece of yours?

I would say my Carharrt double knees. Because they’re like the loosest fitting non-tailored piece of clothing I have. I like to wear them on my days off because they’re super comfy and rugged.

Who are some style inspirations of instagram we should know about?

I’m more of a brand guy than a personal stylist kind of guy. I love to see the way brands style their products and how small curated stores use third party brands. Places like Drake's, All Blues Co, or Guilty Party

What do you wear while traveling on the road?

I just got back from Austin, TX and I try and pack with versatility and flexibility in mind. So I brought my navy high twist suit and some mid grey dress trousers. That will usually get me a few looks without needing a second jacket. I’ll usually wear a piece of outerwear and jeans for the flight, that way I have something comfortable to change into after the trunk shows.

Do you have a dream piece?

Yes, I would say it changes but recently anything from Good Art HLYWD which is a jewelry company out in California. It’s a little pricey but they have great men’s pieces of high quality.

Do you have a go to scent?

So my wife is very conscious of toxins in fragrances. One that I like and she’s into, is Dime No. 1 cologne. But back in the day it was Polo blue haha

What are you listening to right now?

As much as I’ve tried to branch out musically, I seem to always get back to rap music. Drake, Kendrick Lamar and J Cole are who I listen to on the regular.

Much of my current wardrobe I owe to Mr. Gwyn. My confidant of clothes, and friend.