Style Broker

As the warmth of the summer months returns and winter wardrobes take a back seat for another year, Ac Magazine sits down with three stylish real estate agents to discover what makes them tick and which fashion accessories define their personal sense of style.

BY GAVIN MANLEY

Describing himself as “an actor who also does real estate”, Peter Halpin says that he loves helping people “make expensive decisions”. Thirty minutes in his company reveals a character who is at once deeply spiritual (he meditates daily), and undeniably driven.

 

Rising at 4.30am every day as a rule, Halpin’s intentional approach to life includes appreciating the sunrise at the water’s edge in Greenport, while repeating a mantra that resonates in that moment.

So, it’s no surprise to learn that he grew up on a farm in Ireland surrounded by nature — and profoundly aware of its ever-changing beauty. After making his own coffee from scratch, his day begins in earnest by bringing himself up to speed on the landscape of luxury real estate — specifically what new high-end properties have come on to the market throughout the Hamptons and the North Fork in the last twenty-four hours.

When asked about his sense of personal style, Halpin confesses to enjoying “a bit of peacocking” but really it comes down to respect. Looking put-together when meeting clients conveys a message that he cares and that he takes their real estate aspirations—as well as their personal investment goals — very seriously.

His summer uniform includes a “nice blazer” (he only buys European brands) with a fine button-down shirt, colorful slacks and perhaps a pair of Gucci slip-on shoes. But Halpin’s real stylistic flourish comes in the form of his distinctly patterned socks—which have become a calling card for this agent who was recently named one of Douglas Elliman’s ‘Rookies of the Year’, in recognition of his swift rise within the brokerage. Halpin owns six watches including a Patek Philippe and a Rolex but for “a really important meeting” he turns to his grandfather’s watch which has become a talisman for him “and has never let him down yet.”

Life out on the North Fork certainly agrees with Halpin — particularly in the summer months. “My favorite place for pre-dinner cocktails” he says is The Halyard.  It's on the water in Greenport and I often go there for cocktails and watch the sunset on the Long Island Sound.

When asked about his headwear of choice, Halpin says “I don’t want to sound cocky, but I was blessed with great hair, so I never cover it with a hat!”

Justin Agnello, part of ‘The Atlantic Team’ — a group of real estate agents that specialize in some of the most coveted properties in the Hamptons — recounts a story that perhaps typifies the attitude to men’s summer style out on the East End of Long Island.

“We were getting ready to meet a potential client for the first time. All we knew was that this guy was in his seventies and wanted to sell his ten million dollar home in Bridgehampton” Agnello recalls. “Even though it was an eighty-five degree day in July we thought we’d better look sharp to create the right impression. On opening the front door, the guy appeared before us in nothing more than speedos and a polo shirt, laughing as he says “wow, you guys really dressed up!”

The summertime vibe in the Hamptons is very relaxed, according to Agnello. It’s very rare that you meet a client who is “dressed to the nines”, he says. Looking professional means, a nice pair of khaki pants and a shirt with no tie. For footwear, leather loafers or Agnello’s favorite — stylish sneaks by Oliver Cabell — are more than acceptable.  

Great shades are of course a must on those searing hot summer days — whether Agnello is touring an oceanfront property or spending time with his family at East Hampton’s Georgica Beach. Hawaiian-based, Maui Jim is his brand of choice. “They’re known for of their polarized lenses which block one hundred percent of ultra-violet rays and eliminate glare”, he notes.

When asked about the best thing about owning a home in the Hamptons, Agnello says that it’s like living in the countryside but with a very NYC vibe. “I love the energy and vitality of the town during the summertime and being able to return to the quiet privacy of our home at the end of the day. The beaches are also some of the most breathtaking I’ve ever seen” he says. Agnello enjoys surfing at Montauk’s Ditch Plains beach where “there’s lots of variety to the waves you get” he says.

Image Credit: Clay LeConey

But it’s not all summer casual, all the time for Agnello. As with any real estate agent, getting dressed up for the occasional black-tie event comes with the territory. Attending a recent networking event that called for a tuxedo, he donned a beautifully tailored — albeit quite traditional-looking — black tux and bow tie. And choosing to bring a little flair to his footwear, Agnello rocked a pair of black Air Jordan high-tops adding a relaxed element to what would otherwise have been a very formal look.

Originally from Chicago — with its sometimes brutal weather conditions — top-producing real estate agent, Malcom Vinson appeared mildly amused by California’s so-called ‘June Gloom’ when we caught up with him recently. This weather phenomenon which is characterized by cooler temperatures and cloudy skies has, it seems, influenced his current wardrobe too as summer gets underway.

For a typical day — which includes meeting clients and showing high-end properties across the Greater Los Angeles region — Vinson adopts a casually relaxed look of a “nice cardigan” over a t-shirt with slacks. This he pairs with suede Chelsea Boots from ORO — a local lifestyle brand he discovered recently. “I also love the suit and sneakers look” he says. Vinson is currently wearing the Original Achilles style by Common Projects which he found in a distinctive but understated taupe colorway.

With more than a decade of experience in the urban luxury property market, Vinson is committed to making his clients’ home search a fun, easy and transparent process. “I enjoy helping buyers find their dream home but also want to ensure their decisions are financially-sound” he says.

An architecture enthusiast, Vinson has a designer’s eye when it comes to his apparel choices — always looking to add something that allows him to express his unique personality. Case in point — the slick-looking black suspenders he wears beneath his tux jacket or Tateossian’s double wrap leather bracelet.

He’s also been known to sport a bow tie — instead of standard neckwear — as part of his tailored look. His timepiece is the Gentleman Watch from Tissot which he loves for its simplicity and because it “looks more expensive than it actually is”, he says.

In his off-hours, Vinson can be found walking his dog in one of Beverley Hill’s many parks or at Avra — a local eatery serving Mediterranean food that has become a firm favorite. He also loves going to the movies to relax. Comfortable sweats and a trucker hat from Hot Rod LA help set the mood when he simply wants to kick back.

Originally published in the Summer 2023 issue of Ac Magazine (The Accessories Council).