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Eddie Galdones calls his relaxed style “modern-day grandpa.” His closet holds vintage aloha shirts in bold prints, classic polo shirts, dressy slacks and casual jeans. He said photos from yesteryear provide impetus for a hint of retro in his effortless look.
“Guys back then really took pride in what they wore, and so I think about how can I adapt that to modern-day times,” Galdones said. “That’s where I begin playing around with different pieces.”
EDDIE GALDONES
>> Age: 48
>> Residence: Kalihi
>> Occupation: Wet‘n’Wild Hawaii director of sales and marketing
He owns clothes by local designers Ari South, Sig Zane and Kini Zamora, and international brands like Ted Baker, Hugo Boss and Cole Haan. Galdones said he looks for quality pieces he can get a lot of mileage out of and are versatile enough to dress up or down.
When traveling, Galdones looks for fashion inspiration and trends in menswear, picking pieces to incorporate into his wardrobe. While in New York in 2014, he admired the way the men put their outfits together for a classy look. In Tokyo, he noticed edgier styles and how men carried handbags.
MOTHER KNOWS BEST
“Growing up, my mother always told me look your best no matter what. And that pretty much resonated throughout my whole life. … But it’s hard because in Hawaii it’s hard to dress up because you’ll stick out. But you marry the two: You take the style that you’ve seen and adjust it to Hawaii. And you’d be surprised with what you come up with.”
MIXING IT UP
“My style before was preppy, and all of a sudden it just evolved to what I call a ‘modern-day grandpa.’ I went far off and way different, to clothes I would never think I would wear back then. But as you get older, people tend to settle and start to have their own ways, and I don’t want to fall into that category, so that’s why I try to mix things up.”
WORK ATTIRE
“There are days when I have to meet with a client that I have to look presentable, so I can throw on a Sig Zane shirt and a pair of slacks. Then on a casual day, I can take that same Sig Zane shirt and wear jeans with it and dress shoes, and it’s like your casual Friday style taken up to the next level.”
STYLE ADVICE
“Don’t be afraid to take the next step or mix things up, and be comfortable at the same time. Go to the store and don’t feel intimidated. Try things on. Be adventurous.”
“Island Lookbook” is a weekly feature of the Star-Advertiser Sunday Magazine that spotlights local trendsetters. Email features@staradvertiser.com.
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