The Specialty Coffee Association of America’s annual trade show is the largest such event in the United States. It’s an annual gathering of America’s best and brightest coffee professionals, who come together to meet in person (instead of on Twitter), to give/receive hugs, to share about exciting new projects people have been working on, and of course, to show off a wide range of personal styles.
There are some who anticipate this trade show by packing suitcases filled with carefully curated outfits, steamed, ironed, and starched. A special group who wrap their competition wares in vintage pocket squares and twill. A class with class, who either reluctantly or excitedly find themselves in a spotlight that showcases how they visually define themselves. These events are about much more than fashion, of course—new champions, new gear, and new opportunities abound—and yet, year after year, the fashion on display at this event proves to be an irresistible narrative.
This season, Sprudge contributor Elizabeth Chai scouted the arena floor and showroom to find members of this special collection of collectors, and found a wide range of styles, palates and palettes. Behold, the fashions of the trade show floor!
Adrienne Blasky
Sales Associate and Customer Service Manager, Cafe Imports
Dress: Modcloth
Necklace: From Peru (bought on her honeymoon)
Cardigan: Tatyana.com
Shoes: But Another Innocent Tale
Glasses: SEE
Watch: Gift
Necklace: From Peru (bought on her honeymoon)
Cardigan: Tatyana.com
Shoes: But Another Innocent Tale
Glasses: SEE
Watch: Gift
Colin Whitcomb
Head of Training, Madcap Coffee
Barista Guild, Executive Council & Chair of Events Committee
Button Down: Target
Cardi: J. Crew
Button: Julie Housh
Pants: Bonobos
Shoes: Converse All-Star Leather (custom)
Cardi: J. Crew
Button: Julie Housh
Pants: Bonobos
Shoes: Converse All-Star Leather (custom)
Craighton Berman
Designer / Industrial Designer / Inventor, Manual.is
Button Down: COS
Pants: Frank & Oak
Shoes: Wolverine 1000 Mile Boot (via Need Supply)
Socks: Uniqlo
Glasses: Warby Parker
Pants: Frank & Oak
Shoes: Wolverine 1000 Mile Boot (via Need Supply)
Socks: Uniqlo
Glasses: Warby Parker
Bethany Hargrove
U.S. Barista Championship Competitor, Barista (Portland OR)
Button Down: J. Crew
Tie: General Knot (via John LeToto)
Pants: Lucca + Wildfang
Apron: Munin Leather
Shoes: Nike
Tie: General Knot (via John LeToto)
Pants: Lucca + Wildfang
Apron: Munin Leather
Shoes: Nike
Sumi Ali
Roaster & Director of Things, LocoL Coffee
Button Down: Alternative Apparel (a gift from his girlfriend)
Pants: Zara
Watch: Jack Threads
Shoes: Vans
Pants: Zara
Watch: Jack Threads
Shoes: Vans
Kaileigh Mulligan
Customer Relations, Counter Culture Coffee NYC
Dress: Choies
Jacket: Walter Dyer Leather of Massachusetts
Pins: TheBlkSmith.com, Cheat Death Corp., Sad Truth Supply
Watch: MVMT Watches
Rings: Fox & Fawn of Brooklyn, Forever 21
Shoes: Doc Martens
Jacket: Walter Dyer Leather of Massachusetts
Pins: TheBlkSmith.com, Cheat Death Corp., Sad Truth Supply
Watch: MVMT Watches
Rings: Fox & Fawn of Brooklyn, Forever 21
Shoes: Doc Martens
Michael Phillips
Director of Training, Blue Bottle Coffee
Button Down, Pants, Belt: Apolis
Blazer: Wellen Gentlemen’s Collection
Button: Julie Housh
Shoes: Wolverine Iron Rangers
Blazer: Wellen Gentlemen’s Collection
Button: Julie Housh
Shoes: Wolverine Iron Rangers
Ant Walach & Rita Kaminsky
Roaster, Equator Coffees & Teas; Sales Coordinator, Equator Coffees & Teas
U.S. Brewers Cup Judge; U.S. Barista Championship Judge
Ant Walach:
Suit: Calvin Klein
Tie: Croft & Barrow
Tiebar: Vintage, thrifted from antique store “bottomless cufflink/tiebar jar”
Pocket square: Men’s Warehouse
Button Down: Everlane
Glasses: Ray-Ban
Hat: Christy’s
Shoes: Justin Western Boots (over a decade old, worn daily)
Suit: Calvin Klein
Tie: Croft & Barrow
Tiebar: Vintage, thrifted from antique store “bottomless cufflink/tiebar jar”
Pocket square: Men’s Warehouse
Button Down: Everlane
Glasses: Ray-Ban
Hat: Christy’s
Shoes: Justin Western Boots (over a decade old, worn daily)
Rita Kaminsky:
Dress: Bar III
Shoes: Franco Sarto (“I rarely wear heels, but my standby USBC shoes are always black grippy bottomed Mary Jane pumps. I’m really short, and as a tech judge I like the extra height to see how the baristas are dosing and distributing the espresso, but also need to be ready to move around in a hurry.”)
Cardigan: Equator Coffees & Teas with Bengal Tiger (“This cardigan was given to me at a past Expo from a good friend, Devorah Freudiger. Years later I now work with her at Equator and was proud to represent on the show floor.”)
*Tattoos: Lewis Hess, Atlas Tattoo of Portland, OR
Dress: Bar III
Shoes: Franco Sarto (“I rarely wear heels, but my standby USBC shoes are always black grippy bottomed Mary Jane pumps. I’m really short, and as a tech judge I like the extra height to see how the baristas are dosing and distributing the espresso, but also need to be ready to move around in a hurry.”)
Cardigan: Equator Coffees & Teas with Bengal Tiger (“This cardigan was given to me at a past Expo from a good friend, Devorah Freudiger. Years later I now work with her at Equator and was proud to represent on the show floor.”)
*Tattoos: Lewis Hess, Atlas Tattoo of Portland, OR
David Buehrer
U.S. Barista Championship Competitor, Greenway Coffee (Houston TX)
Button Down: UnionMade
Tie: General Knot
Tiebar: The Guild Shop (Houston)
Jacket: Big John Denim
Jeans: Pure Blue (Japan)
Belt: Ginew (Portland)
Shoes: Hender Scheme
Tie: General Knot
Tiebar: The Guild Shop (Houston)
Jacket: Big John Denim
Jeans: Pure Blue (Japan)
Belt: Ginew (Portland)
Shoes: Hender Scheme
Sam Penix
Owner, Everyman Espresso (NYC)
Hat: Rudy Style JJ Hat Center (NYC)
Jacket: A.P.C.
Tee: Nuova Simonelli Black Eagle Swag
Jeans: Levi’s 511
Shoes: Vans suede high top
Jacket: A.P.C.
Tee: Nuova Simonelli Black Eagle Swag
Jeans: Levi’s 511
Shoes: Vans suede high top
Elizabeth Chai (@chaiamericano) is a graphic designer and freelance reporter based in Portland, Oregon. Read more Elizabeth Chai on Sprudge.
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