Love Is The Message
A romance suited for the ages.
Finding your personal style is sort of like choosing your mate. Sometimes it’s love at first sight. While other times it’s based on how pieces make you feel. And then there’s the case where you’re not looking but find something perfect for you.
Our latest story features this real life couple whose love radiates just as much as their personal style. Meet Nicole Wiesmann, Head of Men’s Design at Banana Republic and husband Sean Green, NBA alumni and owner of Green Storm Fitness. Here they discuss their personal style, their favorite BR pieces and how they express themselves.
Nicky Wiesmann
Hi, my name is Nicky Wiesmann, I am Head of Men’s Design for Banana Republic. I love designing and wearing men’s clothes. I moved to San Francisco from NYC two years ago to continue heading up product design at BR. Before quarantine, I pursued my other passion which is competitive swimming at USF masters swim team Koret Center. I also enjoy selecting and reviewing fabrics with some of the best mills in the world for BR.
Tell us about the pieces you picked and why you picked them? What was your favorite?
Outfit 1: I picked the Men’s HTG Natural Linen Suit. I love the color and weight of the fabric. I like the pleated cropped trouser and unconstructed blazer that has 7 interior pockets (great for storing BR masks, sunglasses, phone and work badge). I paired the men’s suit with an ultra-feminine boxy resort shirt to add a feminine touch. I would wear this outfit to work, or for an occasion. I can also split it up and wear the jacket with denim and the pant with a big slouch sweater and just hang out on zoom.
Outfit 2. I chose the BR woman’s maxi white poplin pleated skirt which is so romantic, and the woman’s HTG slub muscle tee (I actually bought 2 in black and 2 white I really like this t-shirt) paired with the BR men’s white cotton linen single-breasted blazer from one of my favorite Italian mills Progetto Uno. My husband is wearing the full suit.
I wore this outfit out to dinner outside on Fillmore after we completed the shoot!
How would you describe your personal style?
It’s a mix of masculine and feminine, high-low, luxury and athletic. The best way to describe my style is eclectic. I mix vintage military and BR with designer, active with luxury. I steal my husband’s outerwear and sweatshirts b/c I like oversized. That said, I temper my looks. I usually pair a unique piece with something more basic. I think outerwear is a cornerstone of any outfit. The reason I love living in SF is that it is forever fall, so I can wear sweaters and outerwear all the time.
You mentioned you love "borrowing from the boys" and wearing clothing designed for men. How do you approach tailoring if you do?
I wear the 38 Short blazer off the rack (years of swimming... I have broad shoulders!).
Just a note when choosing a blazer, man or woman: the most important area is the shoulder. If the shoulder fits, everything on the jacket can be altered very easily.
Men’s pants always have to be altered in the waist. I usually buy the 31W and 30L (if I want them cropped). I go to a tailor next to the Banana Republic HQ. She usually has to take out 1” to 1-1/2” in the waist.
The way we construct our suiting interior waistbands allows for very easy alteration. Everyone should find a local tailor. They make your clothes fit better, and you can alter cloths for all the quarantine weight gain and then adjust after quarantine for the weight loss. They can also extend the life of your wardrobe by making slight alterations to keep a style relevant. If the fabric and make is good quality you can keep classic pieces forever by using a tailor.
Our suiting has some great inside pockets, buttons and zippers. What is something you would use your lapel pocket for?
I am obsessed with interior pockets. I am not a big hand-bag girl, I prefer to spend my money on outerwear and shoes. So I need pockets to hold everything.
How do you use fashion to express yourself? We always say “dress how you want to feel”. Since the pandemic, I have been wearing more tailoring, rigid denim, and trousers. Dressing up makes me feel normal and I like to feel put together and comfortable. That’s when I feel confident.
Hello...I'm Sean Green, former NBA basketball player, owner of Green Storm Fitness and proud husband of Nicole Wiesmann (Smile)
Tell us about the pieces you picked and why you picked them? What was your favorite?
My first choice was the slim cotton linen suit designed with Progetto Uno Contoni. I really love the fabric and the way it falls. It really feels like quality. I wanted to pair this with a graphic tee in order to keep it casual, so I chose the Heritage Fish Graphic Tee. I slapped on a pair of tie-dye socks in blue and my first look was complete.
Next, I also chose the rapid movement denim and the motion-tech bomber. These are two of the most comfortable pieces I own by Banana Republic. So comfy that I think I could have gone down a size in the jeans.
How would you describe your personal style? My personal style is definitely "Sporty Spice". I like to wear suits at times but never any ties... I mostly feel at home in jeans, graphic tees and a great pair of lifestyle sneakers.
Did you have to hem or alter the pieces at all to make them perfect for you?
The best part about these pieces is that they were ready to wear straight off the rack....and that is definitely a challenging task for someone that stands 6'6" tall.
Our suiting has some great inside pockets, buttons and zippers. What is something you would use your lapel pocket for?
I love the pockets...they are perfect for my cell phone (never leave home without it!)....my slim style "party wallet" which holds the essentials, and not to forget that trusty BR mask...gotta stay safe in times like these.
How do you use fashion to express yourself? Well, like I said I'm mostly in sporty clothes due to my work...so I like to express myself with my footwear. I mostly will have a subdued outfit with an outlandish, colorful pair of sneakers. If I'm heading out somewhere formal, I love a nicely tailored suit. Besides that, give me denim and graphic tees all day!
On Sean: Look 1 is our Men's Slim Linen-Cotton Suit Jacket paired with the Slim Tapered Cotton-Linen Suit Pant and our Heritage Fish Graphic T-Shirt.
Look 2 is our Motion Tech Bomber Jacket in Navy (also available in Black), our Rapid Movement Denim jean and
On Nicky: Look 1 is our Men's Heritage Slim Linen Suit Jacket and Heritage Trooper-Fit Slim Linen Suit Pant.
Look 2 is our Men's Slim Linen-Cotton Suit Jacket styled with our Cotton Gauze Roll-Cuff Shirt and our Pleated Poplin Maxi Skirt.
A romance suited for the ages.
Finding your personal style is sort of like choosing your mate. Sometimes it’s love at first sight. While other times it’s based on how pieces make you feel. And then there’s the case where you’re not looking but find something perfect for you.
Our latest story features this real life couple whose love radiates just as much as their personal style. Meet Nicole Wiesmann, Head of Men’s Design at Banana Republic and husband Sean Green, NBA alumni and owner of Green Storm Fitness. Here they discuss their personal style, their favorite BR pieces and how they express themselves.
Nicky Wiesmann
Hi, my name is Nicky Wiesmann, I am Head of Men’s Design for Banana Republic. I love designing and wearing men’s clothes. I moved to San Francisco from NYC two years ago to continue heading up product design at BR. Before quarantine, I pursued my other passion which is competitive swimming at USF masters swim team Koret Center. I also enjoy selecting and reviewing fabrics with some of the best mills in the world for BR.
Tell us about the pieces you picked and why you picked them? What was your favorite?
Outfit 1: I picked the Men’s HTG Natural Linen Suit. I love the color and weight of the fabric. I like the pleated cropped trouser and unconstructed blazer that has 7 interior pockets (great for storing BR masks, sunglasses, phone and work badge). I paired the men’s suit with an ultra-feminine boxy resort shirt to add a feminine touch. I would wear this outfit to work, or for an occasion. I can also split it up and wear the jacket with denim and the pant with a big slouch sweater and just hang out on zoom.
Outfit 2. I chose the BR woman’s maxi white poplin pleated skirt which is so romantic, and the woman’s HTG slub muscle tee (I actually bought 2 in black and 2 white I really like this t-shirt) paired with the BR men’s white cotton linen single-breasted blazer from one of my favorite Italian mills Progetto Uno. My husband is wearing the full suit.
I wore this outfit out to dinner outside on Fillmore after we completed the shoot!
How would you describe your personal style?
It’s a mix of masculine and feminine, high-low, luxury and athletic. The best way to describe my style is eclectic. I mix vintage military and BR with designer, active with luxury. I steal my husband’s outerwear and sweatshirts b/c I like oversized. That said, I temper my looks. I usually pair a unique piece with something more basic. I think outerwear is a cornerstone of any outfit. The reason I love living in SF is that it is forever fall, so I can wear sweaters and outerwear all the time.
You mentioned you love "borrowing from the boys" and wearing clothing designed for men. How do you approach tailoring if you do?
I wear the 38 Short blazer off the rack (years of swimming... I have broad shoulders!).
Just a note when choosing a blazer, man or woman: the most important area is the shoulder. If the shoulder fits, everything on the jacket can be altered very easily.
Men’s pants always have to be altered in the waist. I usually buy the 31W and 30L (if I want them cropped). I go to a tailor next to the Banana Republic HQ. She usually has to take out 1” to 1-1/2” in the waist.
The way we construct our suiting interior waistbands allows for very easy alteration. Everyone should find a local tailor. They make your clothes fit better, and you can alter cloths for all the quarantine weight gain and then adjust after quarantine for the weight loss. They can also extend the life of your wardrobe by making slight alterations to keep a style relevant. If the fabric and make is good quality you can keep classic pieces forever by using a tailor.
Our suiting has some great inside pockets, buttons and zippers. What is something you would use your lapel pocket for?
I am obsessed with interior pockets. I am not a big hand-bag girl, I prefer to spend my money on outerwear and shoes. So I need pockets to hold everything.
How do you use fashion to express yourself? We always say “dress how you want to feel”. Since the pandemic, I have been wearing more tailoring, rigid denim, and trousers. Dressing up makes me feel normal and I like to feel put together and comfortable. That’s when I feel confident.
Hello...I'm Sean Green, former NBA basketball player, owner of Green Storm Fitness and proud husband of Nicole Wiesmann (Smile)
Tell us about the pieces you picked and why you picked them? What was your favorite?
My first choice was the slim cotton linen suit designed with Progetto Uno Contoni. I really love the fabric and the way it falls. It really feels like quality. I wanted to pair this with a graphic tee in order to keep it casual, so I chose the Heritage Fish Graphic Tee. I slapped on a pair of tie-dye socks in blue and my first look was complete.
Next, I also chose the rapid movement denim and the motion-tech bomber. These are two of the most comfortable pieces I own by Banana Republic. So comfy that I think I could have gone down a size in the jeans.
How would you describe your personal style? My personal style is definitely "Sporty Spice". I like to wear suits at times but never any ties... I mostly feel at home in jeans, graphic tees and a great pair of lifestyle sneakers.
Did you have to hem or alter the pieces at all to make them perfect for you?
The best part about these pieces is that they were ready to wear straight off the rack....and that is definitely a challenging task for someone that stands 6'6" tall.
Our suiting has some great inside pockets, buttons and zippers. What is something you would use your lapel pocket for?
I love the pockets...they are perfect for my cell phone (never leave home without it!)....my slim style "party wallet" which holds the essentials, and not to forget that trusty BR mask...gotta stay safe in times like these.
How do you use fashion to express yourself? Well, like I said I'm mostly in sporty clothes due to my work...so I like to express myself with my footwear. I mostly will have a subdued outfit with an outlandish, colorful pair of sneakers. If I'm heading out somewhere formal, I love a nicely tailored suit. Besides that, give me denim and graphic tees all day!
