This story originally appeared on the Gents Cafe Newsletter. You can subscribe here.
Meet Trey Elvis Hansen (@treyelvishansen), a recovering government appointee and current Enterprise Account Executive in Software Sales living aboard a 40-foot sailing vessel in the Caribbean, currently moored in Puerto Rico.
1. How do you define your style?
In this order: functional, versatile, durable, and classic. Time and place dictate my style above all else. Here in the Caribbean, my style is guided by heat and humidity – guayaberas, knit polos, linen capris, cotton shorts, etc. When I am stateside, I get to play with layers and I do not let that opportunity go to waste, especially in the autumn when I am fond of cable-knit sweaters, a waxed Barbour jacket, and a good pair of denim jeans.
2. What does it mean for you to be a Modern Gentleman?
Successfully defining a “modern gentleman” feels like a Sisyphean task to me. Everyone has their own subjective take which is formed through life lessons, societal influences, and the era they were brought up in. You have asked this question to how many people and received how many different answers now? I like to think that being a “modern gentleman” is more aspirational than attainable, something to continually strive towards and redefine with changing times and circumstances. I think that being a gentleman is something you have to live up to day in and day out, not something you allow to idle. There may be classical elements to being a gentleman that remain steadfast through the years, but I fear we tend to focus too heavily on the traditional, superficial, and vain when throwing around the word “gentleman.” I am certainly guilty of this at times, and your first question is about my style which could be seen as indicative of this as well, so I prefer to think of the term in a more aspirational sense.
3. When it comes to style, where do you mostly get your inspiration from?
Locale dictates my style a great deal. Though it certainly is not the only consideration. I am susceptible to the influences and tastes of men like Robert Spangle, Peter Beard, and many others. I tend to have an affinity for styles from the mid-twentieth century, and specifically those with an explorer bent.
4. What’s your personal style signifier?
I am contemplating writing an article for an upcoming Gents Cafe issue about the emblems of great men and how crests, seals, logos and images have, at times, become synonymous with men themselves – inseparable iconic associations. I have recently designed an image (specifically to serve as a logo for a business venture) that I hope may become synonymous with myself over time. Perhaps that may become my “personal style signifier.”
5. What are your favorite wardrobe essentials?
One thing you will find me wearing in every environment, without fail, is a nice watch. While sailing or scuba diving I often don my Omega Seamaster 300m Chronograph. My preferred travel watch is a first-generation Breitling Aerospace 80360. I gravitate towards nicer watches that can take a beating, and I enjoy putting them through their paces and reflecting on the memories that live in every scratch or ding.
6. What are your main passions and how do you cultivate them?
Frankly, I have too many passions to sufficiently cultivate any of them. I cannot claim exceptionalism but do find pleasure in the following endeavors: Sailing, Scuba Diving, Boxing, Writing, Hiking, Motorcycle riding, and Photography.
7. What does your ideal Sunday look like?
Start the morning with black coffee, a stroopwafel, and a good read. Maybe a quick dip in the ocean. Probably a day sail with a dive or two, broken up by time well-spent writing and sunbathing. Concluding with good food, and many cold libations, shared with friends and family.
8. Describe an interesting trip you have taken and tell us what’s the next destination on your bucket list.
My most recent trip was to Argentina and I found it to be an exceptional country, comprised of natural splendor and courteous people. I got to spend just enough time exploring both Patagonia and Buenos Aires to know that I need to spend many more months there. As for my next trip, should I make it through this hurricane season unscathed, my partner, Kathryn, and I plan to sail down the Leeward and Windward Island chains, and we are both very excited for the adventure.
9. Tell us what can never be missing in your liquor cabinet.
I am rather polyamorous when it comes to my liquor cabinet…my affection is wide-ranging and I like to share. Lately, however, I tend to play favorites with gin.
10. What are your three favorite books?
This is a hard question. Narrowing it down to three feels impossible. Let’s pick A Voyage for Madmen by Peter Nichols, Passage to Juneau: A Sea and Its Meanings by Jonathan Raban, and The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey by Candice Millard.
11. What are your three favorite movies?
Casablanca, 1917, Dark Waters.
Trey is a regular contributor of the Gents Cafe Newsletter. You can find all his articles at this link.
