Anthony Topps’s color pop caught our eye on the BeltLine as he walked to work.

Anthony Topps
AGE: 48
OCCUPATION: Real estate agent for Coldwell Banker/ part-time sales associate at The Frye Company
NEIGHBORHOOD: Midtown

Where did you get the pieces you’re wearing now?

The shirt is from Banana Republic. I love a classic, crisp, white shirt with a twist. The scarf, cross-body bag and shoes are from Frye (we get a great employee discount), and my jeans are Levi’s. The bracelet is a brass, screw-cuff Miansai piece—definitely one of my favorite accessories right now.

When it comes to dressing, are you a planner, or do you dress by how you feel?

I go by how I feel. I’m not one of those people who tries on a ton of ensembles. I like to “shop” my closet, meaning I come up with new ways to wear things that I own by putting them with different items that I wouldn’t normally wear them with. I have the ability to visualize an outfit, and it usually works out for me.

How would you describe your personal style?

Preppy with a twist. I like to go for a high-low juxtaposition with my looks. For example, a classic suit with a sharp shoe in a funky color. I like to incorporate something unexpected that captures people’s attention.

Where is your favorite place to shop intown?

Bill Hallman. I like to support local stores. I also really enjoy Sid Mashburn. J.Crew and Banana Republic are staple stores for me. Banana has a great line of work-style clothes that hold up really well, and there’s always a great bargain to be had.

Where do you find fashion inspiration in Atlanta?

Atlanta nightlife is a great place to find fashionistas out and about. I recently went to the bar/lounge Little Trouble on the Westside, and it made for really good people watching. I always get ideas for new outfits by seeing what other people do with their clothes.

Whom do you follow for fashion inspiration on Instagram?

Nickelson Wooster (@NickWooster). He is absolutely killing it! He gets the high-low style so right with every look. He’ll rock a killer suit but crop the pants and add a bold shoe. He mixes tee shirts and jeans with fancy wingtip shoes. I love his unexpected adornments.

What was the most outlandish style you ever experimented with?

The man skirt. It was the late ‘90s, and I worked at Jeffrey in New York City. Dries Van Noten made a wraparound skirt for men, but you still wore pants underneath. It had this huge safety pin detail that held it in place and looked really cool. My boss bought the black one, and I had the white one. I only wore it a couple of times because I realized that the white version made me look like I was a server wearing an apron. It was a big fashion risk that didn’t end up working out.

What item of clothing can you not get rid of?

Cargo shorts. I know they aren’t fashionable, but I really do need more pocket space sometimes, like when I go to the park or to a concert, and I just feel like I need those pockets.

STORY: Sarah Blackman
PHOTO: Sandra Platten