In a world where being financially stable is key, keeping your job may be one of your top priorities. Some follow their dreams to find their success and others sacrifice their dreams for the green. Justin Bridges, from Tucked Style, is the complete opposite of both of those scenario’s, with finding his success early on and then completely leaving his finance career to chase his dreams, fashion and photography. We caught up with Justin to get a closer insight on how he managed to get into the fashion industry and what he intends to do within it.

Where are you from?

I’m originally from Kennesaw, GA, about 25-30 minutes outside of Atlanta. I wasn’t born there, but I was raised from 1.5 years old, and didn’t leave until college at 18. I will say, in about 6 years, I’ll be proud to add “New Yorker” to my resume.

Do you think that growing up there changed your aspect of style? We know not everyone is born with style and some people have to create their own unique style, did you have to create your own?

That’s a tough question, and a good one at that. I can only answer that in retrospect. I think I was always into style and back home in Georgia we had style influenced heavily by the southern rap scene. Atlanta was steadily becoming the southern New York City for our version of hip hop. We wore tall tees and Girbaud jeans with Reebok “soulja’s” on our feet. We color coordinated everything from shoe laces, to layers of t-shirts, to hats. I think in a way, that was my first foray into personal style, albeit immature and ill-advised. I really don’t care where you’re born, developing a personal style takes more than learning or copying what your stylish dad or granddad did. I think you start from some sort of baseline ideas and you emerge from that as you see the world outside of your comfort zone develop around you. I definitely had to find my own path.

How did you get so involved within the fashion industry? Do you have any regrets being so involved, if so can you name them?

I’m not sure how I got anywhere anymore. I think I grew a love for the sartorial pieces of style upon moving to NYC for a finance career. I can plainly say that I’m not a very corporate, bureaucratic guy. There were portions of finance that were exciting, but in the long-run, I realized it wasn’t the thing for me. I decided to stop fighting the urges to stay on the finance path early. I think what lead me so seamlessly into fashion was my love of photography. I enjoyed portraiture and style immensely and the natural progression was fashion photography. Well you can’t just quit one job and say I’m a fashion photographer or stylist or whatever on the spot, so I chose to take my business skills and fashion tastes into a new career in retail fashion. I still work on the side to develop my skills on the editorial side of the business.

How do you manage to dress so professionally? Any inspirations that keep you going?

You’d be surprised what I wear to work everyday. I work in dot com these days, so I have a little bit more leeway on how I choose to express myself. I love mixing different genres and eras of clothes. I enjoy inserting little pieces of rebellion in my business attire. Injecting color can be so refreshing when having to don what feels like the same mundane clothes day after day. I feel this question is more geared to a guy that is required to wear a suit to work, so I’ll try to tailor my answer at bit more. My advise is to nail fit and make sure you have the basic colored suits in stock – navy, charcoal, charcoal pinstripe, maybe a khaki suit in summer. Of course, you’ll need your standard issue blue and white shirts, but to jazz it up make sure you have spread collars, maybe over dress a bit with a french cuff here and there. Crop a suit you get from H&M or Uniqlo for the Thom Browne look for a cheaper version of an amazing look. Switch out the stock buttons on your suit sleeve with some colorful alternatives. Mix some patterns with regards to your ties and shirts. Avoid silk ties, dive head first into the land of seasonal fabrics including wools, cottons and cashmere’s. Get into your groove and then just start experimenting.

What is one thing you have learned within this industry, which can help anyone who wants to discover what looks good on them?

When it comes to menswear, it’s all about fit and proportion. You have to crawl before you can walk. So start with basic colors and basic patterns, and nail the fit and proportion. Men shouldn’t start playing with their silhouette until they are further along into understanding their personal style. Once you’ve had your tailor re-touch your wardrobe, you’ll get the confidence in the simplistic looks, and you’ll be moved to start experimenting. There’s a wealth of information online, don’t be afraid to copy what the style bloggers are doing, this is your opportunity to learn. Once you start feeling and looking good, you’ll start branching out.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Wow, I can’t even touch this one. I don’t know where I’ll be in 6 months. I say that both jokingly and with the “serious face.” My friends know me as free-spirited and driven, and if they’re right, that means that I’m always open to opportunity and shifts in my journey that come out of nowhere. Ideally, I would love to matriculate in my current role and become a buyer, but I know that talents are untapped with regard to the editorial world. I want to be able to give it a shot in the fashion photography world, and I think ultimately, there’s a fashion director spot waiting for me. Hopefully, it’ll be at one of my favorite publications or retailers.

Where do you see men’s fashion in five years?

It’s no secret, menswear moves slower than women’s. 2011 marked a momentous growth in publicity surrounding men’s fashion, with the proliferation of menswear blogging, brand start-ups, public interest in the product, etc. That kind of spotlight tilted closer to the men’s fashion world can only serve as a positive catalyst for growth, but the amount of dollars that pour into the sales of men’s attire doesn’t even come close to that of what women spend. Men shop incredibly different than women, so in that respect, stead as she goes for men’s fashion. I don’t think fashion will change in a crazy way, but I think more men, especially more heterosexual men, will become more comfortable using clothing as a vehicle of expression. I think they will take more chances, and push the limits of what’s acceptable in the work world even further. Sooner or later, I think men will stop being afraid altogether of the negative stigma that brews up when they start caring about how they look. I’m not sure if I’m answering the question, but if I had to put money on it, my list would look like this: more menswear bloggers, more menswear influence in womenswear, more experimentation with alternative fabrications in classic menswear categories, heritage movement continues,….I could go on and on.

What is your point of view with everyone wearing high-end brands just to wear them? We know lots of different people have different opinions on this subject, what is your opinion?

If you want me to be ultra-specific to your question, I think it’s ridiculous. And no, my opinion won’t change when I finally make a buck or two. However, I love high-end brands just as much as I love covering all my basics with fast-fashion brands like Uniqlo. I think everything has a place. If I was a woman, I’m not sure I could stomach shoveling $2500 on a Chanel handbag, unless my daddy was covering my credit card bills. I would totally shell out money on Isaiah or Bogliogli if I find the perceived value and cost to be worth my while. That’s how a man shops. Women buy things, sometimes of sub-par value, because the label and prestige that accompanies turns the purchase up a notch. We buy products that last, that have a story, and of course, because we’d be proud to own the garment as well. I would be perfectly happy in some L.L. Bean Signature sweater underneath a Thom Browne blazer, and Uniqlo pants….to each his own.

What would you say to anyone who wants to make fashion their career?

Don’t, there’s no money in it! Seriously, I don’t have much to say on the issue. It was easier giving advice to Wall St candidates. My advice is that you better love it, and I don’t mean the glamor or just the shopping aspect. Fashion is a business. It isn’t just looking good on a blog, or getting to go to a fashion show. There are tons of careers in the industry, so know where your talents lie, and pursue those areas with thirst and passion. Be true to yourself. Work hard. Put yourself out there intelligently. Be comfortable at the bottom for a while. Make friends and don’t burn bridges.

Please give us your last words of wisdom, Mr. Bridges.

Always believe in yourself. Don’t lie (too much). Surround yourself around talent. Don’t plan for point C or D, if you aren’t solid on point B. Always raise your hand. Sleep is really awesome, but don’t be afraid to forgo it. Love making mistakes. Take risks while you’re young if you can. Network. Follow your passion first and foremost, but realize every job starts at the bottom and is nowhere near what you picture it to be. Do not go through life without a hobby or two. I think I should have wrote a book instead of giving this away for free. Lol

LINKS

Justin Bridges
Tucked Style
Twitter
Facebook