Not only is he a walking, talking encyclopedia of all things food, Alton Brown is also one of the best dressed “real people” on television. From his elbow patched tweed blazers, to his window paned linen suits, to his blue oxfords, to his signature bow ties, the Food Network star rarely appears in front of the camera looking anything less than his best. What particularly makes Brown a neo-icon in my eyes, is that he has an enviable grasp of his own style. After his very public choice to lose weight a couple years back, Brown really pegged down what he likes and what fits, and he’s stuck to it ever since. While I personally would never wear a bow tie, I love that Brown wears his because, as he says, “I’m a pilot and straight ties get tangled up with cables and harnesses when you fly.” Brown is a great example of how to dress with character without looking like a character. He shows that it’s okay to wear outlandish pieces, as long as they fit right, and you carry yourself with a bit of confidence. Of course, it helps if you host a couple TV shows here and there, but we can’t all be so lucky now, can we.

A classic Brown outfit:

Brooks Brothers Extra-Slim Fit Oxford Dress Shirt
L.B.M. 1911 Blazer
Pierrepont Hicks Prairie Bow Tie
Sid Mashburn Heavy Drill Trouser
Common Projects Original Achilles Low Top Sneakers

Jake Gallagher is a writer and student currently living in Manhattan. He focuses on back stories and the historical side of menswear at his site Wax-Wane.com. You can also follow him on Twitter.