Meet the newest member of the Style Blogger team, our new intern Townsend Smith.

Townsend, born and raised in Connectiut, lives an authentic, non-apologetic “Wasp Prep” lifestyle. He is a true New England outdoorsman with an impressive knowledge of menswear and an even more impressive closet filled with stylish gear appropriate for just about any occasion. (To clarify, as some readers might take this the wrong way, I do not mean the term “wasp” in a derogatory way by any means. I say it whimsically, simply meaning “White Anglo-Saxan Protestant” subtly hinting at the term’s ties to a history of wealth and social power).

It’s safe to say that Townsend and I had very different upbringings – which only adds another dynamic to our team. The thing that struck me first about him was not his outfits, but rather his poise. He understands that he has had a fortunate upbringing, and carries himself with a refreshing combination of confidence and humility. For men of means, in my opinion, this is very important. It’s not about lavish “throw-it-in-your face” style, it’s about humble “this is just how I live” style.

Townsend recently invited us for a refreshing out-of-the-city visit to his beautiful home in Connecticut.

Here, he shows us how a New Englander enjoys luxury outdoor activities in style.

1. Beach Club

“I love going down to the beach in late winter/early spring.  It’s usually empty, and on a nice day it’s the perfect place to take a break.  There’s nothing more relaxing to me than taking a stroll in a comfortably worn-in chunky sweater, listening to the waves and smelling the salty breeze come off the water. It’s very calming and a great place to sit and think”.

If you’re not keen on winter whites (like Ryan here), early Spring is the perfect time to break out a pair of white cotton trousers. Pair them with a neutral chunky knit, like Townsend’s navy shawl, and you got an outfit that’s perfect for just about any weekend daytime activity.

Bonus Tip: No socks at the beach. Go with sandals or boat shoes.

Bonus Tip II: White pants work better in the sun, regardless of the season.

Blue oxford by Polo Ralph Lauren.  Pants by J. Crew.  Sweater by Rugby Ralph Lauren.  Shoes by Sperry.   Sunglasses by Ray-Ban.

2. Boating

“I enjoy walking the docks and checking out the boats. It’s a nice reminder of my northeastern coastal heritage, which was originally founded upon nautical culture. I recently replaced my peacoat’s blue plastic buttons with gold anchor ones that were a great find from my local Army/Navy surplus store. Replacing the buttons was a cool (and inexpensive) way to give new life to my go-to winter coat.”

This is proof that if you invest in versatile, classic pieces that work together you can mix-and-match to create an exponential number of outfits. Here, Townsend is wearing the same shirt, pants and shoes as the first look, but paired them with a wool tie, nautical striped knit and pea coat for a look that is warmer and more speedboat-friendly this time of year.

Bonus Tip: Nautical stripes won’t look more natural anywhere than on the dock or on the boat.

Bonus Tip II: A necktie is not just for the office. It can be the perfect finishing touch on a casual look for just about any occasion – including the season’s first cool-weather boating event.

Blue oxford  by Polo Ralph Lauren.  Pants, peacoat and tie by J. Crew (gold Buttons from Army/Navy surplus store).  Sweater by Saint James. Watch by Timex.  Shoes by Sperry.

3. Shooting

“I’m pretty rough on this herringbone tweed three-piece, but that’s the beauty of it, this thing will never break down…Ironically, I treat it more like workwear than a suit – hence the pilling wool and missing vest buttons. I really should get them replaced, just never got around to it”.

This is an awesome “rugged tailored” look. The Harris Tweed fabric is so rough and manly that it actually looks more appropriate on the shooting range than in the office. It’s also more practical than you might think.

“The high armhole gives me the range of motion I need, the patch pockets offer good storage, and the heavily layered look allows me to stay out all day since I can simply add or remove layers as the weather changes. And the added bonus, of course, is that I don’t have to go home and change if I want to meet some friends and grab some drinks after…Drinks always after shooting, never before.”

Bonus Tip: Is wearing a jacket, waistcoat and tie necessary while shooting? Maybe not. But is staying true to yourself, your traditions, and your culture? Absolutely.

Shirt, tie, vest and jacket all by J. Crew.  Coat by Barbour. Gloves from NYC street vendor. Vintage Belt.  Sunglasses by Ray-Ban. Jeans by Rugby. Boots by Aigle.  Shotgun – Ruger Over & Under 12g.

4. Driving

“A brisk Sunday afternoon is the perfect time to go for a casual drive (an activity people seem to rarely enjoy anymore) in the company of good friends (Lola, my Berner, included). No need to dress up – a comfortable chambray and worn-in denim look does the trick.  Throw on a simple jacket, roll down the windows and we’re good to go.”

There’s something about traditional men’s fabrics – denims, flannels, buffalo plaids, etc. – that always look good together.

“I love clothing that gets better with age. Almost all of the casual pieces in my closet are the type that build character as they break-in. It just makes more sense as an investment…and I don’t want to walk around like I’m stepping on eggshells…The flannel jacket, chambray shirt and denim jeans, for example, are put-it-on and forget-about-it type of garments”.

Bonus Tip: If you’re going denim-on-denim, make sure the washes contrast enough from one another that they can’t be mistaken for matching.

Shirt by J. Crew.  Vintage jacket with added elbow patches. Vintage Belt. Jeans by Rugby (size 32/32). Boots by Red Wing. Bracelet from NYC street vendor. Mesh-Hat by The White Buffalo Band.

5. Hitting the Pasture

Here Townsend uses more traditional menswear pieces to put together another timeless outfit that will never really go “out of style”. Quilted jacket, fair isle vest, straight leg denim, bean boots – this is one of those pictures that, if it were black & white, would be hard to date.

“As I mentioned above, I like to buy things that will last – that means both well-made and classic in design/styling. Provided I don’t gain too much weight, I anticipate wearing a lot of these pieces for years and years. Hopefully one day I can even pass them on to my son”.

Shirt and jeans by J. Crew.  Sweater Vest by Rugby. Gloves from NYC street vendor.  Jacket by Barbour. Boots by L.L. Bean. Vintage Belt. Glasses by Warby Parker.

Thanks for reading, and thanks again to all who participated in the intern poll on video Episode 2. Episode 3 coming Friday!

Yours in style,

SB

Photography by Alex Crawford.