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Who: Frank Hawkins, 48, of Wilmington is the Educational Manager of AIDS Delaware.
Why: Doing a little modeling in his hometown of New York set Hawkins on track to be a stylish dresser. "I still have those fashion instincts when I go out," Hawkins says. "A good fitting jacket says a lot."
Wearing: First outfit -- True Religion jeans, white V-neck shirt, JOJO watch and sandals. Ghd Mk4 Second outfit -- JoS. A. Banks suit, Burberry tie, Modena dress shirt, JOJO watch and Cole Haan dress shoes.
Third outfit -- Madras shorts from the Gap, Polo shirt, JOJO watch and sandals.
Style: Very contemporary. "I fluctuate between styles; some days, I can dress professional; in my leisure time I like to dress more urban."
His emergency change of clothes would be: A pair of jeans and a shirt. "I come from the era of the Calvin Klein jeans back in the '80s and the '70s, so jeans have evolved into -- for me -- a real fashion statement."
Where he shops: JoS. A. Banks, K&G Fashion Superstore, Men's Warehouse, stores in New York and Philadelphia. "I'm always looking for a good discount, because I have a family and my daughters like wearing Hollister.
"I find pretty good deals. As the weather breaks in the fall, you can probably get good deals on summer clothes. So I buy it now and put it up for later. Every now and then, I go into a real good thrift store and find some good deals."
Advice from his wife and daughters: "If I have on something that's not coordinating, they say it. 'No, that tie does not match that suit. You need to put those shoes on. You need to put that belt on.' They're more like the fashion police when I'm getting dressed. They haven't been wrong yet."
Shopping with his wife: "She knows what she's looking for when she's in there. So that's why, when she's looking for whatever it is she's looking for, we're spending hours because she's going to go in every store to find what she needs, even if we have to go from Concord Mall to Christiana Mall. If she needs it, she's going to find it."
ologne: "I like real soft cologne, so my cologne collection is extravagant. Burberry, Escada, Issey Miyake, Jean Paul Gaultier, Ed Hardy, Polo, 212, Tommy Hilfiger."
Fashion Don'ts: "I come from the era of we never wore our clothes saggy. These days I see a lot of young men who wear their jeans falling off their behind. That's not a fashion statement, that's just not good etiquette."
Trends: "The baggy days are leaving, men are wearing a more fitted style of jeans verses the baggy, Rocawear-style of jeans that people were wearing a few years ago, the baggy T-shirts.
"I think when people start wearing tighter-fitted clothes that forces them to have to engage in some type of exercise so that they can keep the physique to wear that type of shirt. So I think it helps to eliminate that obesity issue that we have in the states."
Who he dresses for: "Me. I believe it's about how you feel within about yourself because if you feel good on the inside, then it will reflect on the outside.
"I'm always trying to look presentable. When you dress in a manner that is in accordance with what you do, people respect that. They might not like you, but they have to respect you. And once you open your mouth, if what you say is in alignment with how you look, then people will give you what are deserving of -- and that's the respect."
Style inspirations: When reading GQ, Essence and Jet for the latest menswear styles, Hawkins doesn't get distracted by the expensive labels. "My secret is: I cut the picture out and I walk around and look for that suit or that tie. It helps me with my budget. I know that I can't afford a $2,000, $3,000 suit so I might have to find a $500 suit that looks like the suit that I saw in a magazine." GHD Hair Straighteners Accessories: "I love my shoe collection. If this was the dating game, my wife would say, 'Yes, my husband has more shoes than I do.' It consists of alligator, crocodile; I love skin shoes. I love a good loafer."
Style icon: "Rick Williams from Channel 6 Action News. He reminds me of me."
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