The Capsule Wardrobe Experience, Episode 1: Troy Garcia

The Garcia capsule is an example of a custom capsule wardrobe we designed for our client Troy Garcia. 

As with all of our custom capsules, it all starts with a casual zoom call (you can book your zoom call here.)

When I first met with Troy, from his office in Lakeland Florida, I could immediately tell 1) he was a real Southern gentleman (with the accent and everything) 2) he has a very athletic physique (he's a former college athlete who’s no stranger to the bench) and 3) he already has good taste and style. 

We spoke about his work attire. He works as a financial advisor, so creating an image that immediately builds trust and looks smart, professional and detail-oriented is critical to his success.

We spoke about the climate where he lives. Southern Florida is HOT HOT.

We spoke about his fit. As a former baseball player who still regularly hits the gym, he is muscular with a significant drop from chest to waist. This can make it difficult for Troy to find garments that are both flattering and comfortable. He usually has to decide between being “comfortable” (in large sizes like 44 which are good for his chest and shoulders but huge in the stomach) or “slim fit” (in smaller sizes like 42 which are snug and restrictive in the chest/shoulders but show-off more of his slimmer waistline). 

We spoke about his off-duty activities such as spending time with his 2 young daughters, attending church, going on date nights with his wife, etc. 

We spoke about his personal style, which is heavily rooted in classic Americana with a focus on timeless items that can be worn often and will break-in well over time. 

Lastly, we spoke about his current wardrobe - which was pretty solid. Like a lot of our clients (many of whom have been reading our blog for some time) Troy already owns a lot of the menswear basics or “classics”. Things like white and blue shirts, a navy blazer, khaki chinos, a charcoal suit, etc.

So for his capsule I wanted to expand a bit and get into the “classics 2.0”. What immediately came to mind was a chocolate brown suit (not the first suit you would buy, but very underrated), a guncheck jacket (not the first sportcoat you would buy, but super versatile), chinos in more earthy tones (like olive), shirts with a little more color (like soft pink...I love a brown and pink combo), etc. 

After our initial conversation, I put together a first draft of a 12-item capsule for Troy. We edited one or two of the items on a follow-up call, then we got to creating his patterns and crafting his garments. 

Below are the 12 items we designed for Troy - and some of the many different outfits he can create by mixing-and-matching these items in different combinations.

The Troy jacket is one of the most lightweight and comfortable sportcoats we've ever made. This jacket is fully unstructured and carefully crafted to stay cool and dry - even in the most hot, humid, and tropical climates (Troy lives and works in Southern Florida). The fabric is a blend of featherweight tropical wool (98%) and spandex (2%) which gives it a significant 4-way stretch for added mobility and comfort. In addition to being extremely lightweight and flexible, this jacket is also very versatile. As we've been saying for years: after the classic blue blazer, a natural-toned guncheck jacket is one of the most timeless and versatile jackets you can have in your wardrobe.

The Primrose shirt is a classic 100% cotton shirt with pencil stripes in a subtle tone of soft pink. With a pattern this small - and color this subtle - you can pair this shirt with virtually any other colors or patterns - including suits, sportcoats, ties, trousers, jeans, etc. Every wardrobe needs a handful of shirts in micro-patterns that work with everything and take the thought out of pairing garments together (without always defaulting to the corporate white or basic blue shirt). 

The Malibu pant is a lightweight classic trouser made from a beautiful hopsack fabric in a neutral light gray (one of the most versatile pants you can own). They're breathable, naturally wrinkle resistant, and designed for maximum versatility. 

The Lakeland Shacket is made from a stretch seersucker fabric that is designed to stay cool and dry even in the most hot and humid climates. We love this fabric because it's made to be lightweight and breathable but it has a Autumnal color palette - which is perfect for guys who live in places that are warm year-round (like Troy who lives in Florida) that need to use color variation (as opposed to fabric weight variation) to transition their wardrobes from Spring/Summer to Fall/Winter.

The Johnny Polo is a timeless long-sleeve polo shirt updated with the perfect fit and made from a super-finItalian merino wool that is famous for its soft hand and supreme comfort. This will be your new favorite polo - and can also be used as a substitute to a collared shirt. 

The Hollis field pant is a stretch cotton utility chino that is as soft and comfortable as it is versatile. An olive chino is one of the most versatile Spring/Summer pants you can have, and these can be styled with everything from shirts, jacket, and ties to t-shirts, polos, and sweaters. Wear them often and don't baby them - they look even better with a little worn-in character. Pair them with the matching field jacket for a cool, stylish set. 

The Hollis field jacket (originally created for our client Troy Garcia as part of the Garcia Capsule) is a lightweight outerwear piece inspired by the original military field jacket but simplified, refined, and cut from a soft and comfortable stretch cotton fabric. This is a casual jacket that can be worn daily with everything from trousers, jeans, chinos, even to athleisurewear. And you can pair it with the matching pants for a cool, stylish set. 

The Garcia jacket is a classic double-breasted jacket made from a lightweight fabric that combines wool (75%), linen (20%), and silk (5%). This jacket is designed to be lightweight and breathable (as Troy lives and works in Florida). The wool gives it lasting performance and smooth drape, the linen gives it texture and breathability, and the silk gives it a unique luster with a subtle iridescent sheen.

The Garcia vest is a classic waistcoat made from a lightweight fabric that combines wool (75%), linen (20%), and silk (5%). This vest is designed to be lightweight and breathable (as Troy lives and works in Florida). The wool gives it lasting performance and smooth drape, the linen gives it texture and breathability, and the silk gives it a unique luster with a subtle iridescent sheen.

The Garcia trouser is a classic trouser made from a lightweight fabric that combines wool (75%), linen (20%) and silk (5%). This trouser is designed to be lightweight and breathable (as Troy lives and works in Florida). The wool gives it lasting performance and smooth drape, the linen gives it texture and breathability, and the silk gives it a unique luster with a subtle iridescent sheen.

The Edgewater micro-check shirt is a classic 100% cotton shirt with a micro-check pattern in subtle tones of blue and cream. With a pattern this small - and colors this subtle - you can pair this shirt with virtually any other colors or patterns - including suits, sportcoats, ties, trousers, jeans, etc. Every wardrobe needs a handful of shirts in micro-check patterns that work with everything and take the thought out of pairing garments together (without always defaulting to the corporate white or basic blue shirt).

The Southern Gentleman denim shirt is a classic lightweight denim shirt featuring our new one-piece cutaway collar that is designed to stand on it's own and create a beautiful natural roll. This shirt can be dressed-up (like with a jacket and tie) or dressed-down (like over a tank top with dark jeans) and is designed to take a beating. In fact, it only gets better with wear as it breaks-in and shows character. So wear it often and don't baby it. Thank us later. 

Using only these 12 items, here are some of the outfits Troy can create...

Everything works together in any combination (he can't make any mistakes) and he can easily (and quickly) create outfits for any occasion - from business to pleasure.

This allows him to get the most out of each item and keep a cohesive, streamlined closet.

A double-breated jacket - and a brown fabric - are two things that can take a "classic suit" to a new level of style - without sacrificing any versatility or longevity.

Two items that are "classic menswear 2.0":

1) a neutral guncheck sportcoat; the next most classic jacket after the blue blazer

2) Olive chinos; the next casual pant after the khaki or cream version

A look you can wear anywhere - a casual day at the office, client meetings, date nights, the bar, the game, etc.

As with all AOS jackets, the Garcia is unstructured and designed to be worn with matching trousers (as a suit) or more casually as a sepearte sportcoat. This is one of the keys to getting more out of your wardrobe.

Of course, the trousers from the suit can also be mixed-and-matched. Pair them with sportcoats, shackets, bombers, sweaters, polos, etc. Swapping jeans for trousers is a simple "cheat code" to looking more polished and stylish (not to mention getting more out of your closet).

A light grey polo + light gray trousers is the ultimate tonal "base". You can throw just about anything over this monochromatic conbo and look smooth and stylish - a sportcoat, shacket, bomber, coat, sweater, cardigan, etc.

I love the idea of a matching casual jacket + trouser in the same fabric. It takes the ease and sophistication of a "suit" but makes it more fun, laidback and stylish.

Guncheck + denim + chino - an earthy combo that is smart and professional, but also chill enough for a restaurant, bar or evening out.

I'm a dad. Troy's a dad. We both know that clothes that can be easily washed (in the machine) and look better with some broken-in character are key to good dad style and being fully in-the-moment. Also important are fabrics with some stretch - to chase the little ones around.

Suits are not only for business. Sometimes they're for making your wife say "wow".

Looking professional, smart, competant...it's not as simple as putting on a navy suit and white shirt like everybody else. When you can combine colors, patterns and textures in a tasteful and nuanced way - this shows another level of attention to detail, which your clients will notice.

The simple trouser & polo combo you can wear just about anywhere -  dates, restaurants, meetings, bars, games, etc.

Sometimes you just let the jacket stand on its own - because it's strong enough to be the main character.

When it's hot and sticky out, the vest + trouser can serve as a version of a very lightweight suit. This is one of the many reasons we always recommend adding the vest.

Here's another easy, classic combo that is great on its own, but can also serve as a versatile "base". 

There are lots more outfit combinations you could create using only these 12 items, but I think you get the idea.

For more information, including pricing and sizing options, click here:

The Garcia Capsule

Want to edit this capsule or make your own?

Book a zoom call  with me to get started.

I look forward to working with you!

Yours in style,

Dan Trepanier