By Jen Merrill
Men’s Style in Central PA
In honor of our first-ever men’s issue, we tagged along to three local stores with two local men to see what they’d pick out. From business to casual to athletic and beyond, follow our journey as Peter Allan and Eric Moon tried on some new threads and tried out some new looks.
The Guys
Peter Allan
You may recognize Peter Allan as the manager of Little Amps Coffee Roasters, where the cheery 26-year-old is always sure to serve up a smile alongside your latte. The espresso-slinging lifestyle means Allan is up early, so he finds it easiest to stick to a bit of a uniform.
“Mine is a white V-neck tee with an oxford or work shirt over top, blue jeans and boots in the winter, tennis shoes in the summer,” he says. “That being said, I really appreciate fashions that I wouldn’t necessarily wear: modern women’s fashions are great, especially in the summer. ‘Urban’ styles have always peaked my interest, and I have a great appreciation for anyone who owns their personality through their personal style.”
Allan is influenced by “classic American designs, from baseball mitts to work wear, lonesome highways to rock ‘n’ roll,” and he finds himself drawn to the timeless styles of the late ’50s to early ’60s.
“Functional but stylish attire speaks to me. I try to wear American-made whenever possible, and I’m sure that has an effect on my overall ‘look.’ I like to find one of everything and wear it out.”
Visit littleampscoffee.com for more information on the delicious coffee brewing at Peter’s day job.
Eric Moon
Owner and creative director of the modern-yet-crazy-comfortable Salon Edjii on Derry Street in Harrisburg, Eric Moon has been a hairstylist for over 20 years and also travels the globe working with TIGI as an artist and educator. In his line of work, he’s certainly no stranger to the world of fashion.
“As a hairdresser working with a company that is heavily involved in fashion week and recognized as an industry trendsetter, my style follows trends because it’s important for me to represent the image of what’s happening, what’s current and convey that to my clients,” explains Moon, 44. “At the same time, it’s important for me to be true to myself and represent ‘me,’ so there’s always a personal twist infused into whatever outfit I put together. And that is, after all, what fashion truly is. Fashion is more than going out and buying a label.”
Moon’s always had an interest in style, especially when it comes to gentlemanly looks like the three-piece suit that he rocked in kindergarten. He went through phases of “new waver, surfer/skater and punk” back in the ’80s but has since taken influences from Soho, fashion blogs and working with TIGI and melded them into a more tailored look.
“I like classic menswear,” says Moon, “particularly the modern dapper style, paired with elements of street culture like raw denim and classic and retro sneakers.”
Visit salonedjii.com for more information or to book an appointment.
The Shops
Michael Boyd, Exceptional Men’s Clothing
5 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
(717) 213-0344, michaelboydmenswear.com
Located on 3rd St. in downtown Harrisburg, this boutique specializes in fine men’s fashions from stylish casual-wear to custom-tailored suits. Owner Michael Green has over 30 years of experience in the business, offering scheduled appointments to suit every customer’s needs. Tailoring and alterations are available to ensure that you get the perfect fit.
Harmony Society
36 S. Pitt St., Suite 106, Carlisle
(717) 462-4703, harmony-society.com
Harmony Society is a clothing and gift retailer that specializes in vintage and new clothing for men and women as well as a variety of gift items, including books, magazines, apothecary items and more. They work hard to provide distinct American-made goods from their space conveniently located in downtown Carlisle.
VILLA
333 Market St., Harrisburg
(717) 236-4690, ruvilla.com
Originating in Reading, Pa., the VILLA chain – which used to be known as Sneakervilla – has locations throughout the Northeast, including their downtown Harrisburg shop and new store at the Capital City Mall. They specialize in street-wear and athletic-inspired shoes, apparel and accessories for men, women and children.