Jen Ublasi Has Your Summer Style Guide

Getting dressed in the summertime isn’t always a cakewalk. It’s a delicate dance between dressing professionally and stylishly while also trying not to sweat through your outfits. Sometimes it can seem like it’s just too hot to think up outfit combinations – or your brain is foggy from sipping a few too many margaritas at the pool the day before. Lucky for you, we recently partnered with stylist Jen Ublasi to do the work for you.

All the looks created began with a pair of Marc Nolan shoes and were built from the bottom up. Ublasi selected each shoe to showcase not only different tastes, but different lifestyles as well. And the model, Joe Thomas, wasn’t chosen by accident either. Ublasi says that whether he’s working out, attending events, traveling or dressing for the many other facets of his life, he needs a wardrobe that’s equally versatile.

“Not only is Joe a personal trainer, he’s also a business owner; he wears multiple hats and that requires multiple looks,” Ublasi says.

Ublasi used different looks to not only style different aspects of men’s lives, but to showcase different tastes and personal styles. And of course, a different shoe for every style. Inspired by men and utilizing the beautiful spaces inside the FLATS apartments at the Bush Temple, Ublasi styled Joe in looks from John Varvatos, Good Circles, Wings+Horns, J Brand, and naturally, Marc Nolan. Now you can feel free to have that extra drink – your summer wardrobe is sorted.

Paired with simple charcoal dress pants and a white button-up, the Cedric Cognac Woven Leather Oxfords do all the talking. The burnished leather features a range of browns to pair with most anything in your wardrobe while the breathable weave texture makes for the ideal summer dress shoe.

For a formal look with a more DGAF attitude, Ublasi swapped Cedric for the Winston Black Velvet Embroidered Loafers, added a black tie, and in lieu of a classic blazer, topped the outfit off with a sleek satin bomber jacket. Velvet loafers add a sumptuous sophistication to any outfit, both formal and casual. And for those seeking a punch of color, Winston also comes in wine and navy.

Looking foward to summer trends, Ublasi is most excited for colorful suiting, in addition to the trends carrying over from previous seasons like shoes without socks and white sneakers with everything. Ublasi personified these trends when the Mason White Lace-up Sneakers were worn sockless and paired with a striped t-shirt, a military jacket and a pair of not-so-average and flattering sweatpants. This athleisure look is perfectly wearable whether you’re actually going to the gym or you just want to look like you’re going.

Switch out the t-shirt for a light grey Henley and throw on a pair of the Jasper Navy Wing Tip Sneakers for an equally cool casual look. With the addition of two new colors – navy and honey – and a switch from full-grain leather to a chic suede, our lineup of Jasper sneakers is ready for summer weather.

For a casual look that’s ideal for everything from errand running to barhopping, a marled navy blue short-sleeve Henley pairs well with a pair of black jeans – perfectly cuffed to show off the Sullivan Cognac Wing Tip Boots. Each item in this outfit is a wardrobe staple – the quarter-button Henley is the ideal breezy summer shirt; black denim is easily dressed up or down and coordinates with anything in your closet; and as for Sullivan, a pair of durable leather boots with a thick rubber sole can be worn year-round with anything from jeans to workwear.

Switch out the denim for a pair of pants in a trendy hue like the Pantone color of the year, ultra violet, and swap the boots for a shoe like the Benjamin Grey Wing Tip Derby Shoes. The muted and versatile colors allow for numerous wardrobe pairings and a straw fedora is the perfect topper for a summer beach, bar or fest.

With an eye for style and a consideration for what men need in their wardrobes, Ublasi formed her company Jen Ublasi Style, which will celebrate its second year in business in August, though Ublasi herself has worked in the fashion industry since she was 16 years old – in retail, media and now as a stylist.

In addition to the photo shoots she styles, Ublasi does personal styling on an individual level with specific clients – executives, media figures or athletes, all of whom have a personal brand and require a wardrobe to fit that brand.

She says what she most tries to do in her work is help busy clients who don’t always have time to devote to curating a wardrobe. While she works with both men and women, Ublasi says she loves men’s fashion and hopes to transition to working more with the menswear market. Her main goal now is to continue doing what she’s doing – valuing quality clothing and always seeking new designers.

“I’m still growing and building my own brand,” Ublasi says. “I’m excited to learn about new brands and to continue aligning the right brands with the right clients.”

Find Ublasi on Instagram at @jenublasistyle for more summer style inspiration and shop even more styles on MarcNolan.com.

Written by Hannah Swank

Photography by Kevin Reodica