Signature Style: rlowz

"Signature Style" is a new regular feature that puts the fashion spotlight on "regular" gay men across the country, because we want to see your style!

This week, member rlowz shows us his Signature Style ...

Describe the sensation you get after you make a killer find.

excited. i love the feeling that i found something that i’ll look great in. i typically make plans to wear it that night if it’s a really great find.

Do you put a lot of effort into selecting the perfect underwear?

yes, because i put time into my clothing and want to look fantastic. why not look great taking your clothes off too, especially when there is someone else involved. nothing can be a show stopper like a dirty old pair of old tighty-whities.

How much time a day do you spend on your hair?

i recently buzzed my head to show support for a family member going through radiation treatment, so it takes about 30 seconds.

Are you a product junkie?

i used to be addicted to all things tigi/ bed head. at least you don’t have to go to aa for an addiction to hair product.

Where do you shop?

i shop anywhere that there is potentially good style. typically it’s nordstrom, saks fifth avenue , neiman marcus, mark shale, express, and banana republic for clothing. dolce, prada, gucci, tom ford, ysl and louis vuitton for accessories. i don’t just shop the major fashion houses, i’ve purchased a couple key items from places like “hot topic” and h&m for graphic t-shirts, hounds tooth scarves, and hats.

Do you tend to be attracted to men with style similar to yours? Or the exact opposite?

typically, i like guys that are similar. that way i don't have to constantly correct what he is wearing or update his wardrobe.

Is there a particular accessory you can't live without?

designer sunglasses. the day i don’t have hot sunglasses is the day i switch teams.

Where do you get your style information? People on the street? Mags? Celebs?

i rarely depend on the opinions of others when it comes to fashion. i attended college for fashion design, so i consider myself a rather reliable source. however, i do like to see what celebrities have dressed themselves in the dark, don't own a mirror, or need to fire their stylist as well as what designer was on drugs the day they designed a garment.

What are your three favorite articles of clothing and why?

custom made black button down shirt from thomas pink. it fits great and it’s the perfect blend of simplicity and sex appeal when paired with my other two favorites. A light grey pinstripe, three piece helmut lang suit. it looks great together, separate, at work, at the bar, or at a new chop house. last and certainly not least a pair of “ new york dark wash, boot-cut jeans, by 7 for all mankind” . they are the perfect jean made in america . you can put on a pair of pointy-toe boots and that great black shirt and your ready to go out or throw on a t-shirt, boots, and aviators to run errands.

Is there one person you tend to go shopping with more than anyone else? Why?

i never shop with anyone else. i am either on a mission for one thing and it’s a quick round about in the store or i need retail therapy. someone else usually gets in the way.

If you want to go out and get attention, do you have one foolproof outfit that does the trick?

i loose the contacts and throw on my dolce frames. black v-neck t-shirt, ck underwear, a trusty pair of sevens, a black belt, and a pair of pointy shoes from aldo.

Are you environmentally conscious when you purchase clothing?

sometimes. organic cotton is amazingly soft but not many companies besides h&m have a regular organic or green clothing line. all of the clothes designed to decrease your carbon footprint are typically casual and i rarely dress-down. so it makes it difficult.

On average, what percent of your paycheck do you spend on your style (clothes, products, etc.)?

25% unless my bonus is involved in which case that goes up to about 60%.

How long do you typically spend getting ready to go out on a date?

90 minutes, give or take a few.

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

um, my shoe buying addiction trumps my product addiction. i purchase at least 1 pair of shoes per paycheck. i have a little over 200 pairs of shoes. accessories go out of style but it’s the circle of fashion so to say, because they may be needed at a later date.

When buying shoes and clothing, is comfort or style more important?

style, style, style! while in college, i was designing a garment in the fashion lab and i asked the model if it was comfortable. my favorite fashion teacher, dr. jones, promptly interjected “It doesn’t matter if it’s comfortable. people can look good or feel good. people will not pay top dollar for an item of clothing to feel good or come to a fashion show to see someone looking comfortable. now pin that a little tighter because she is going to loose weight, right?"

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