Quality, Fit and Respect: Matt Tramonte's Refined Style

Matt Tramonte's life has been filled with experiences, which, along with the people he's surrounded himself with, have shaped a classic and timeless personal style. Read about Matt's views on men's style, prioritizing quality, fit, and mutual respect.

Aklasu Portrait

Image Credit: Matt is wearing the Honey Brown Grossa Grenadine Tie

Words by Jericho Bundac

Matt Tramonte's been blessed. He attended the United States Air Force Academy, played college hockey all over the country, and coached two high school hockey teams. Matt also fell in love in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and got to marry the amazing woman he fell in love with. He's even helped Haitian immigrants in Guantanamo Bay. For the past 22 years, he's built Tramonte & Sons a multi-state wine distribution company alongside his father.

Blessed may be an understatement, but sometimes, the most powerful statement is understatement. The same goes for men's style, and Matt's elegant nonchalance extends to his personal style mantra. He was kind enough to be profiled and share style advice, where he gets his style inspiration and brands that help him achieve his style.

I feel blessed to have very few regrets. I typically take the path less travelled, and it's made for a life filled with experiences.

Showing Mutual Respect through Style

Matt's personal style "runs the gamut." He feels comfortable dressed from smart casual to cocktail attire. But there's one situation where he feels uncomfortable: being underdressed. We couldn't agree more. You instantly lose confidence and shrink when you're underdressed. Another element of being underdressed or poorly dressed is the respect you show for yourself and others.

I've always been sensitive to how my actions affect others. Mutual respect is paramount, and the way I dress is an opportunity for me to show my respect for myself and others.

The way Matt dresses signals respect. The mutual respect he shows for himself and others comes back. And there's no better feeling in the world—maybe clothes that fit perfectly.

Fit is Everything!

Matt started paying attention to his personal style during high school. But he wished someone told him to pay attention to how clothes fit!

The most consistent style difference I see between put-together men and others is fit.

He's seen men often wear clothes which are too big or too small. Matt's received guidance from experienced store employees, but he also has an ace up his sleeve: his wife.

I'm lucky my wife has a great eye for fashion and is confident enough to tell me when something I'm trying on doesn't fit properly.

Thanks to experience, a great eye, and leaning on people he can trust, Matt looks stylish while exploring new directions, which resulted in some of his favourite style pieces.

Words of Wisdom

Matt follows men's style maxims like "Fit Over Fashion" and "A Man's Shoes Say a Lot About Them." He believes a pair of fine-fitting denim jeans with the right pair of clean sneakers will make a more positive first impression than an ill-fitting pair of suit pants with an unkempt pair of wingtip shoes.

When it comes to breaking men's style rules, Matt doesn't subscribe to "Don't Mix Black with Brown." Some of his favourite outfits have a foundation of properly fitted black denim and brown Chelsea boots. Matt also doesn't believe you have to spend a lot of money to look stylish.

It's better to have fewer quality pieces than a closet full of cheaply made clothes.

Looking put together and feeling confident comes from wearing quality items that you can mix and match effortlessly to create polished outfits. Which brands does Matt think help us achieve that goal?

Brands that Refine Your Style

During a recent trip to Charleston, South Carolina, Matt discovered Billy Reid. He was impressed with their linen, suede and subtly patterned shirts. For ties, Matt's go-to is Aklasu. He's not a fan of busy and bright patterns, so Matt wants his ties to have a classic and timeless look. Right now he's loving how the Honey Brown Grossa Grenadine pairs with his three-piece navy blue suit.

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I'm immediately drawn to the subtle, classic colours and textures of Aklasu ties. They offer tremendous value for the quality of craftsmanship, and my confidence grows each time I wear one.

Matt's also fond of watches and shoes. He loves pairing his watch and shoes to bring the final touches to an outfit. Matt prefers the Citizen Eco-Drive line for watches for their reasonable price point and because, "It's extremely annoying to put on a watch as the final piece of an outfit and learn the battery died."

He likes Cole Haan for shoes since they fit him well and match his style aesthetic. But if he feels like spoiling himself, Matt will head over to Allen Edmonds. Matt's confidence in how he balances style and value is inspiring. But where does his style inspiration come from?

Style Inspiration Can Come from Anywhere

Matt finds style inspiration in real life. Family, friends, and people he runs into—even well-dressed mannequins inspire his style. However, when it comes to style icons who inspire Matt, he looks to Ryan Reynolds.

I've been influenced by his style staples of shades of neutral, three-piece suits, rolled sleeves, uncomplicated jackets, black-framed glasses, and nondescript tees. His style is simple yet put together.

Simple, put together, and timeless describe Matt's personal style mantra well. But it's so much more. We should all consider his view of style as a signal of respect. Matt's been blessed with a discerning eye and thoughtfulness. And his personal journey, full life, and fresh outlook are something we can all aspire to.