WHY WE LOVE HIS LOOK: It’s only fitting that James Todd has “creative” embedded in his job title. As a creative director for Gene Juarez Salons, Todd’s artistic vision extends from sleek haircuts to his thoughtful approach to suiting. “I’m notoriously formal,” he jokes about his trademark weekday attire, typically a luxe suit accented with unexpected details, such as a bright pocket square, a check shirt or a pair of heeled ankle boots plucked from his collection of Yves Saint Laurent shoe wear. Veering away from business-staid, Todd pairs slim pants with jackets from his immense selection (he converted a bedroom in his house into a closet), investing in funky checks, stripes and patterns perfectly fit to form by Harvard Custom Tailor.

THE ENSEMBLE: Black silk bowtie with white piping and gray Gucci floral patterned pocket square, Nordstrom; white cotton Built for Man tuxedo trim-fit shirt, Veridis; Dsquared2 black and white check dinner jacket with black silk grosgrain piping on lapel and J. Lindberg skinny black suit pant, David Lawrence; Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent black leather belt with gold buckle and Dior patent leather Beatle boots, New York finds.

HIS SHOPPING STOPS:

For designer suit pieces:
Nordstrom
Multiple locations, including downtown
500 Pine St.
206.628.2111
nordstrom.com

David Lawrence
The Bravern
11111 NE Eighth St.
425.688.1669
david-lawrence.com

For creative accents:
Ian
Belltown
1919 Second Ave.
206.441.4055
ianshop.com

Veridis Clothier
Capitol Hill
1205 E Pike St.
206.402.3789
veridisclothier.com

For relaxed weekend wear:
The Field House
Ballard
5465 Leary Way NW
206.297.6093

Published November 2010