The Gent's Guide

The Grandfather Clause

We sat down with Benjamin Mohapi on a sunny but crisp Saturday morning for a breakfast and chat at Cecconi's restaurant in West Hollywood, Calif. Over coffee, he shared his advice for honing in on a man's style. "For me, it's all about measuring up to be the man that your grandfather was—together, respected, authoritative, calm, and organized," says Mohapi, who opts for gadgets that are top notch and streamlined.

SHOP NOW: Apple iPad 2, from $499

Shoe In

Mohapi showed up to breakfast wearing a crisp button-down underneath his cashmere sweater, but when it comes to shoes, he prefers something a bit more rugged. "I tend to gravitate toward standard, low-key products," he says.

SHOP NOW: Clarke's Desert Boot, $110

Knit Pick

Speaking of his cashmere sweater, when it comes to knitwear, Mohapi swears by British designer Margaret Howell, who is known for her androgynous pieces. "It's not about making a statement, but finding pieces that are made really well," he says.

SHOP NOW: Margaret Howell Cardigan, $480

Jean Theory

Clean, simple and back-to-basic, "A.P.C. makes the best denim for men," says Mohapi.

SHOP NOW: A.P.C. Denim, $175

Keeping Time

"I'm a jeans and trainers kind of guy but this watch can go with my everyday attire or with a tux. It's an investment piece—it's timeless," Mohapi says of the GMT Rolex watch he bought years ago.

SHOP NOW: Rolex GMT, $7900

SEARCH: Stainless Steel Watches

Worth A Shot

Referencing a mid-century modern toast rack and butter dish he inherited from his grandfather, Mohapi tells us, "Where I come from, breakfast done right is necessary. The devil is in the details." According to him, a proper coffee machine is a worthy splurge.

SHOP NOW: Illy Espresso Machine, $295

Seeing Is Believing

During our own breakfast, we couldn't keep our eyes off Mohapi's super-stylish tortoiseshell frames. "I like the unique, something no one else has," says Mohapi about his Hotel de Ville vintage glasses.

SHOP NOW: Hotel De Ville Dewinter Glasses, $250

Bond-ing Moment

Aside from aspiring to live up to his grandfather, says Mohapi, "It's all about what would Bond do? Because he's the epitome of cool."

SHOP NOW: James Bond Blue Ray Set, $44

The Write Stuff

We agree with Mohapi that "a good pen is a really nice thing to have—something substantial and elegant."

SHOP NOW: Mont Blanc Meisterstueck Pen, $810

SEARCH: Fountain Pens

Buttoned Up

"Every man should have a few handmade shirts. It's not as expensive as you would think. But off-the-rack, J.Crew makes a good shirt," says Mohapi.

SHOP NOW: Thomas Mason Shirt, $125