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Sidewalk Style: Euro Preppy

Sandals and summer suits, oh my! Check out our two dashing guys in this week’s Sidewalk Style, and vote on if their summer style (and "mandals") works for you.

By Rachel Cothran Published Tuesday, August 12, 2008

This week we snapped a couple at the Washington Area Concierge Association’s White Garden Gala, held Sunday evening on the terrace of the Ronald Reagan Building’s Aria Trattoria. The gala is the group’s annual fundraising event; this year’s beneficiaries were the John B. Campbell Hospitality Scholarship, Les Clefs d’Or Foundation, and Metro TeenAIDS. Attendees wore all white or petal-perfect shades to complement the “white garden” theme.

On the left, in blue: Jean-Francois Dupont, 41, is the conference services manager at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington.

On the right, in pink: Joseph P. Yalch, Jr., 44, is a dentist.

What are you wearing?

Joseph: A Ralph Lauren jacket from Bermuda (“we just came back from vacation”), a Ralph Lauren shirt, Guess jeans, Mixx leather sandals, and glasses frames from a store on Lincoln Road in South Beach.

Jean-Francois: Ralph Lauren jacket, Perry Ellis shirt, Diesel jeans, and Aldo sandals.

How would you describe your style?

Joseph: “Nonconformist. I like to be a little different. The more color and more pattern, the better.”
Jean-Francois: “I’m color-blind. He dresses me!”

Where do you shop?

Joseph: “My favorite was Britches until they went out of business. I did a lot of my shopping there. I go to Bloomingdale’s a lot now The customer service is great, and the sales staff is starting to get to know us. Sefi is our tailor, and Christine is our salesgirl. We both just bought some suits there. “
Jean-Francois: “You can also find great things at places like Filene’s. You just have to be willing to look.”
Joseph: “We do a lot of travel abroad, and we do most of our shopping then. Paris especially.”
Jean-Francois: “Everything’s ahead in terms of style. They are willing to dare. We love Simon’s in Montreal, where I’m from. Neat clothes at very reasonable prices.”

Favorite thing in your closet?

Joseph: “I love to wear linen in the summer. I have a plaid linen shirt from Ralph Lauren that I’ve had since college. It’s pastel. I get compliments on it every time I wear it.”
Jean-Francois: “A gray wool turtleneck sweater. I always reach for it.”
Joseph: “We got it at Simon’s!”

Any advice for men in DC?

Jean-Francois: “Enough of the banker look!”

Explain that.

Jean-Francois: “Blue pinstripe suit, white shirt, red paisley tie. I’m a little bored with all of the white shirts in general. “
Joseph: “Men should be more willing to mix patterns. They don’t have to be wild. Here, everyone is most concerned with blending in. I’m the opposite.”

Rachel says: I think Joseph’s sandals are really cool—an elegant solution to the what-to-wear-in-the-summer problem for men’s shoes. Several steps up from flip-flops and in gorgeous hand-hewn leather. I really like the way Joseph and Jean-Francois interpreted the event’s theme with summery, Italian-fit white jeans and color on top. Euro-preppy? Nice.

Weigh in on this duo's summer duds:

Earlier:
Sidewalk Style: Church Glam
Sidewalk Style: All About the Accessories
All Sidewalk Styles

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Comments

I think the guys are gorgeous. It doesn’t matter what they are wearing. They are hot! It’s obvious they are cosmopolitan dudes. I would love to use them as my fashion consultant.

Posted by: Fifi, Aug 14, 2008 06:54:52 AM

OK, this sort of bugs me: dudes at a "white garden gala" aren’t exactly sporting "sidewalk style." I realize that they very likely were on some portion of sidewalk on their way here, perhaps from the cab door and into the R plaza, but I doubt they regularly stroll around the town like delicious looking cupcakes on a regular basis. ....mmmm cupcakes.

Posted by: Ryan, Aug 13, 2008 12:27:33 PM

The mandals are vile while the clothes are just meh. Boring palette and silouette. If these two think they are fashion-forward they need to rub a lamp and make another wish.

Posted by: sara, Aug 13, 2008 11:12:53 AM

From the ankles up they look nice. It’s a shame we don’t get to see them in all their multiple-pattern-matching glory (given the theme of the party).

The sandals? I HATE them. Buy a proper pair of shoes. Spectators? White bucks? There are many choices.

-rdhd

Posted by: rdhd, Aug 13, 2008 04:48:13 AM

If it was a ’white garden’ themed event, everyone there was bound to look a little matchy-matchy standing next to anyone else. I think they pulled it off very well. As for the mandals, I love them! Especially the one on the right. These outfits with sockless loafers would have been a lot more predictable, and a lot more ’meh.’

Posted by: Anna, Aug 13, 2008 03:07:36 AM

what’s wrong with Euro- preppy? It’s up to date and clean and not black and white. Summer is good for our skin to breathe. Better than jeans, boots and t-shirts!
Ugh!!!

Posted by: May, Aug 12, 2008 07:00:51 PM

What’s all the hype about mandals? I can’t stand them and I hate flip flops even though I just bought a nice pair at DSW in a light, dusty tan and grey. They just looked so cute I figured I’d get used to the clip clop or just pretend I’m a clydesdale. The pink shirt is smashing but the jacket is a bit much. It looks like it was hosed down with pepto or a pink flamingo yacked on it. Swap jackets quick. You two do look fun to know though.

Posted by: Tadeu, Aug 12, 2008 05:05:12 PM

The clothes look good, but I would run away, fast, if I saw those mandals anywhere in my vicinity. Agh!

Posted by: Erin, Aug 12, 2008 03:38:36 PM

I love to see men who are not afraid to wear color, however I would save the outfits for Easter. JEAN-FRANCOIS and Joe would be HOT in anything.

Posted by: Keith , Aug 12, 2008 12:51:52 PM

Who are these two twinks anyway, and why would you place a photograph of them in The Washingtonian? As for the clothing, if you are into looking like the great old fifties style, you have my blessing, but it does say something about the way they think, and the sandals do not change that at all.

Posted by: Gene Markowski, Aug 12, 2008 12:39:08 PM

they’re super cute people, but matching couples kind of make me want to vom. no one likes vom on a pastel jacket.

also, why must we have the mandals argument every summer? man feet will never be attractive, and tarting them up in leather mandals will not help.

Posted by: bell, Aug 12, 2008 08:19:11 AM

I have to agree with Alejandro and say that this is definitely a case of scrolldown fug . . . I love flip flops as much as the next guy, but there’s a time and place for the mandals, and I’m not sure this is it. The rest of the outfits are great though - I especially like Jean-Francois’ shirt!

Posted by: Jolly, Aug 12, 2008 07:19:41 AM

oh, mandals. why, oh why, would you go with the mandals? also, their outfits are perfect...for a baby shower :)

(poll looks great. guess i’ll stay on vaca...you guys don’t need me!)

Posted by: Emily, Aug 12, 2008 07:19:21 AM

Hmmm...each look is good individually, but together, just too matchy-matchy. I like the mandals, but prefer the non-flip-flop style. Agree with them that men should try more pattern and color in DC - but think that DC men are definitely attempting it.

Posted by: DC Celine, Aug 12, 2008 07:18:34 AM

Perfect look for the summer! Obviously they travel a lot so they are ahead of the fashion trends...

Posted by: Katherine, Aug 12, 2008 07:08:55 AM

Cute couple, but what’s with the matching Ralph Lauren jackets? And Joseph’s mandals...oh gawd the mandals. Euro-preppy? More like Euro-tragic. Everything else on them looks good, but I can’t get past the weird mandals.

Posted by: Alejandro(washingtonian.com), Aug 12, 2008 06:47:06 AM

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Sidewalk Style: Euro Preppy

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