High School Dapper

Brightwater outfits young men in classic dashing looks.

Men’s fashion is all in the details: From collar shapes to shoe color, dressing involves so many small decisions. And on the first day of school, with standards high, dressing well can be a source of stress.

Luckily, Bill Damberg, owner of Brightwater in Excelsior, is ready to help. He recommends a classic look that starts with a great pair of jeans from Baldwin, a company that works exclusively with salvaged denim out of Kansas. Pair those with an oxford button-down from Gitman Brothers Vintage of Pennsylvania, and a belt from Leather Works Minnesota of St. Paul, and you’re ready to head out the door—almost.

The final touch? “Clark desert boots,” says Damberg. “They’re classics that your grandpa wore, your dad wears and you should wear.”