After arriving in Los Angeles, I did away with socks entirely, except for a few ‘cold’ or rainy days. Nothing says ‘business in California’ more than having the ability, at any moment, to remove my jacket, kick off my loafers, and walk directly from the hotel onto the beach…”
Gregory Day, President of Hospitality, Mani Brothers
Gregory Day is the President of Hospitality at Mani Brothers, the eminent real estate investment and development firm based in Los Angeles. Gregory is what we at City & Beach would describe as a ‘quality person’ – reliable and true to his word. He is also renowned for his impeccable appearance, experience in luxury travel, and knowledge of the finer things in life. Here, we discuss the perfect wardrobe for California living and how Gregory’s discerning eye for detail sets him apart…
C&B: “Gregory, firstly – congratulations for being named on the CITY & BEACH INTERNATIONAL BEST DRESSED LIST 2025. You are always immaculately turned out – how would you describe your personal aesthetic?”
GD: “Thank you! My style has evolved over the years in a rather ‘Benjamin Button’ sort of way. When I was much younger I was far more formally attired – bespoke suits and shirts, Armani ties, cuff links. I was working in more corporate hotels and this was effectively the uniform we all wore. In the last two decades I’ve been far more at ease with myself and my style; whilst I still wear a suit and tie when it’s appropriate, I’ve ditched the formality of cufflinks and ties for blazers and either slacks or smart trousers. Typically these are paired with open collared shirts – barrel cuff in lieu of double, from London, and loafers – worn, more often than not, sans-socks which is a benefit of living in the sunny climate of Los Angeles. The one style element that has always remained with me is my love for pocket squares/handkerchiefs. I have well over one hundred and that is always a ‘style-signifier’. Typically I ensure that the colours don’t specifically match the others I’m wearing, to make sure they get the proper attention, a la ‘Sprezzatura!”
C&B: “Yes, we love a little ‘studied carelessness’ – it perfectly suits the laid back but industrious environment of California. You’re in charge of mainly ocean-side hotels, what would be your typical ‘go-to’ outfit for a day at The Malibu Beach Inn?”
GD: “When I’m in Malibu, I’m typically in a blazer, open-collared shirt, and smart-casual trousers from Orlebar Brown or the like, matched with Gucci loafers, sans-socks. I travel a lot for my other hotels, so while it’s similar for Napa, I’ll typically also add a smart jumper and swap the loafers for Loro Piana suede Summer Walks. In Maui, it’s vintage ‘Hawaiian’ shirts with travel trousers from Lululemon. When I travel in Europe, I have a ‘uniform’ of sorts, consisting of either a navy or grey suit made of Loro Piana ‘super 150’ wool, which makes them nearly impervious to wrinkles…”
Grooming in the hospitality industry is critical – everyone can have their own style, and should, but it make it purposeful. My approach is: ‘Come to work like you mean it and always look your best’. Guests are paying for an experience, and part of that should be a well groomed staff as much as it is a knowledgeable one…”
Gregory Day, President of Hospitality, Mani Brothers
C&B: “These are excellent travel tips! Is there someone you have in mind when you’re choosing your wardrobe whose style you emulate or admire?”
GD: “When I was younger, Cary Grant was always top of mind, but as I aged and became better traveled and refined my personal style, Gianni Agnelli had more of an impression of how I now dress. I dress very comfortably, but also very stylishly, and unless one is really aware of it, they may not realise that my blazers area made with fabrics from Moon in England, or Loro Piana or Carpini from Italy respectively; they just know that it fits very well and looks very good. Finding the right tailor is key…”
C&B: “Yes, knowing a good tailor is essential – so are both grooming and accessorising. You always seem to get it just right – elegant and understated. Which grooming products would you recommend?”
GD: “Oribe Rough-Soft hair paste is a fairly new find that keeps my wavy hair at bay, but the rest I have used for decades and they include Truefitt & Hill Trafalgar shaving cream, L’Occitane Cade After-Shave Lotion, Soho Skin Face Cream and Penhaligon’s Quercus for scent…”
My favourite pieces? I’m a big fan of Sunspel polos and most of my dress shirts cashmere jumpers from Charles Tyrwhitt are outstanding. For someone who lives in L.A., I have more Barbour jackets than I should – I bought my first one at age 18 and it still gets worn very regularly. Both Drake’s and Orelbar Brown have a special spot in my heart and ever-expanding closet…”
Gregory Day, President of Hospitality, Mani Brothers
C&B: “You definitely lean towards the classics! How do you believe your overall presentation affects your impact on your guests and staff at what is essentially a luxury property in a beach setting?”
GD: “Although Malibu Beach Inn is a Leading Hotel of the World, it’s also the only hotel directly on the waterfront in Los Angeles county, therefore it is inherently casual and of course guests dress accordingly. Certainly a lot of my personal style complements that. However, guests and staff want – and often seek – authority; they want to know who is in charge, which is why I’ve always worn blazers. I could easily get by in shirtsleeves or a jumper, but wearing a blazer at the beach stands out. They typically know you are someone with some level of authority and I find this is helpful…”
C&B: “Yes, a blazer is the perfect choice as it’s not overly uptight but still conveys the perfect level of formality. Do you have any favourite local boutiques or designers that you rely on for your overall look?”
GD: “Los Angeles is home to hundreds of wonderful retailers, but they are all big brands and while they can be interesting, I have little interest in arriving somewhere where someone else is wearing exactly the same as I am. I tend to shop in more specific places such as E.Marinella in Napoli, J.Mueser in New York and Mr. Meers in Eugene, Oregon; I can honestly say I’ve never once had to be concerned with someone hacking my look!”
I prefer designer-wear that has no logo – personally, I despise that ‘logo-ed’ look. The only exceptions I make are my athletic and ‘athleisure’ clothing – again, Lululemon because the logos are incredibly small, tonal and inconspicuously placed and Gucci ‘’Jordaan’ loafers. The loafers are more about the level of comfort they offer than about the iconic horse bit feature…”
Gregory Day, President of Hospitality, Mani Brothers
C&B: “It’s refreshing to find someone who takes an international approach to their wardrobe; it’s such an indicator of true style and discernment. As you clearly travel a great deal, what do you suggest are the best outfits to remain looking both stylish and comfortable when traveling for business?”
GD: “I wear a lot of Lululemon for plane travel. Men really haven’t discovered them yet as most people think of them for fitness and yoga. Whilst that is true, they make some great pants and jumpers that resist wrinkles. As someone who always tries to travel only with a carry-on, I have to find fabrics that look good for as long as possible. For long haul I wear a travel blazer from Faherty. I match that with a ‘Smart Polo’ from Charles Tyrwhitt and the Soft-Jersey Half-Zip top and matching Soft-Jersey Tapered pant from Lululemon. For footwear, I wear a low-profile trainer from Cole-Haan. For shorter flights, it’s the aforementioned blazer and half-zip top paired with Lululemon’s ABC Warpstreme trousers with the Loro Piana suede ‘summer-walks’. I often pair these looks with a patterned scarf; my favourites come from LND Studio in London…”
I rarely buy a ‘brand’ when it comes to blazers or suits. I find it better to get the best fabric – Loro Piana, Carpini, Moon, and Baird McNutt for linen – and have it in the style that best fits me, rather than buying something off the rack that’s made to appeal to everyone…”
Gregory Day, President of Hospitality, Mani Brothers
C&B: “Lastly, Gregory, if you had to choose one accessory that you feel completes any outfit, what would it be?”
GD: “I’m not a ‘watch guy’; however, I do have three very nice watches. The one that gets the most wear is my 1998 Omega Seamaster Professional. The Seamaster goes with everything, and it – like my platinum wedding band – doesn’t come off very often. I sleep with it on, as the luminescent hands allow me to see what ungodly hour I have awoken, shower, swim, and, of course, wear it to work and play. I also have a lovely Blancpain with a brown leather strap that I mix in once in a while, and the fairly newly released Chopard Alpine Eagle, which is sleek and a nice change as well. Watches are – if you’ll forgive the pun – timeless…”
CONTACT: http://www.malibubeachinn.com
