Thrifting and vintage shopping are not easy endeavors. Finding great used items for cheap requires time, dedication and most importantly, a discerning eye. The vintage look has approached cliche in New York; one has to travel no further than Williamsburg to see an army uniformed in washed denim, faded band t-shirts, and ill-fitting outerwear.
However when it’s done right mixing designer brands with vintage pieces is a thing of beauty. One of my close friends who does this better than pretty much anyone I know is Jimmy Jimeno who is the men’s store manager at Opening Ceremony. I’ve known Jimmy since his Toronto days and have seen him steadily build up a wardrobe filled with odds and ends from accross the style spectrum. To me Jimmy embodies a style perspective we should all embrace : ‘Wear what reflects your interests and personality.’ I’m excited to share Jimmy’s style with you all and in the spirit of the shoot I let Jimmy give a name to each of the below looks.
“Brown Ken in the Trap House Chillin”
New Era Fitted
Vintage MacGregor NFL Jersey
Drkshdw Cut-Offs
Happy Socks
Dior Homme 2007 German Army Hi-Tops
I asked Jimmy how he shopped and was able to find meaningful additions to his wardrobe.
“For a while now, I’ve been finding most of my clothing at thrift stores or consignment boutiques. If I see something I like then I cop it, but trust that I got it for cheap. As a bit of an impulse shopper, I really don’t look for anything in particular aside from emotional satisfaction. Although, every new piece I buy can definitely be styled with other pieces in my closet.”
Jimmy on his personal style inspiration :
“Having grown up traveling all over the world and moving to a new place every two to three years, I’m what you call a third culture kid. A defining characteristic of a “TCK” is possessing a unique world view, which allows the individual to be highly accepting of other cultures and empathetic towards people who are different. This way of thinking has influenced my fashion sensibilities. Everything/everyone inspires me, and I find beauty everywhere, but to sift through all the bullshit, especially when it comes to fashion, requires a very critical eye and opinion.
Thus, besides adhering to menswear basics of good fit and practicality, my style is finding a comfortable balance between various contrasting elements – masculinity vs. femininity, conservative vs. avant garde, high class vs. hood, monochrome vs. colorful, looking like an anime character vs. looking to get laid, trying hard vs. not giving a fuck…”
Yes I’m wearing Thom Browne and Vivienne Westwood, but I will break your ankles and bust a tre in your face while your girlfriend watches.
Vintage Varsity I copped at Value Village in Toronto
Thom Browne Tank (was a t-shirt)
Vivienne Westwood Shorts
Jordan Socks
Jordan 1s
Inspiration: Ed Hardy for J.Crew Realness
Olympia Le-Tan for Gap x Collete Denim Jacket
Ted Baker Floral Shirt
Acne Chinos
Pink Converse Chucks
Faded at the park call me the Pigeon Whisperer
Vintage New Era Fitted
Reversible Jil Sander Jacket
Stussy Hoodie
Drkshdw Cut-Offs
Happy Socks
Polo Ralph Lauren Hiking Boots
A topic that Jimmy and I have discussed at length is what we’d like to see change in the fashion industry.
“In general, I wish menswear wasn’t so cut and dry. I wish it wasn’t so hard for high fashion to embrace other non-Western, atypical ideas of beauty. I wish industry heads would get off their own dicks and be less contrived. I wish true trendsetters got more recognition.”
Photos and writing by Rocky Li
