Man of the Moment: Thomas Mastronardi

Thomas Mastronardi, the marketing chief of U.S. haberdashery Paul Stuart, shows us how he stays ahead of the style game in New York.
Man of the Moment: Thomas Mastronardi
Thomas Mastronardi is an elegant, well-groomed gentleman from Chicago. He grew up in what most would regard as a nostalgic era, often framed in black and white photos or the silver screen, a time when people got dressed up to go dancing. He says he has no claim as a rugged movie star, but he has a slight cowboy spirit and he embodies the well-dressed cinematic romantic. His style hits all the right notes with one moment of colour or flair. He is not one for gilding the lily or going tieless at weekends — knit ties, he proclaims, are for the weekend! His guidelines to dressing come with experience and respect, but they don’t make him unapproachable.
The vest is a comfort zone for Thomas — the perfect piece to retain formality while your suit jacket is buttoned. Here he is wearing one of his favorites, a double-breasted waistcoat.
A classic button-cuff shirt — and all the working buttonholes buttoned on his jacket — are a must. He never wears a wristwatch with a suit, only a pocket watch.
While his suits tend to be sober, he injects color with his socks. He has an appreciation for shoes but keeps it simple with a bench-made cap toe here. Anchoring the look to the ground are highly polished and elegant Oxfords from British shoemakers Gaziano & Girling.
Thomas’s suits are studied but executed with ease. He prefers the English cut of a strong shoulder with drape in the chest. The vintage Glen Plaid fabric is made up by Paul Stuart Custom.
Perhaps the most delicate touch to his look, he insists it’s only a moment — no gardens in your lapel!
His face lights up as he tells the story of losing one of his prized heirloom pocket-knives to airport security, but he nevertheless suggests that all men should carry one. His vintage knife is perfectly battered and smooth.