This week's Keeping it Fresh is brought to you by Thom Abbott.
How long have you been in business? 
Been in RE since 2004 -- 8 years.
Describe your style.
I describe my style as urban hip....I deal with all types of people, but Midtown Atlanta is the "Heart of the Arts" and home to Georgia Tech University...I'm in my zone in jeans!
What outfit do you own that makes you feel invincible?
Weather here plays a big factor in my style...in the fall and winter, I love my jeans, long sleeved plain t-shirt and a blazer. But the summer heat and humidity leave the blazer in the closet and I go for fun style in a dress shirt atop my jeans. Finish the outfit with a classy belt and hip dress shoes...and I'm IN!
What is the biggest fashion faux pas you've made?
Have I ever made one? Yeah..years ago I wore a belt and suspenders at the same time. But only for like 5 minutes till someone told me. I get red just thinking about that!
What celebrity is your style doppelganger?
I really can't say any ONE celebrity...but look at country western artist and how they can dress up in a pair of jeans and just fit right in.
Best Fashion Advice?
BE YOURSELF....wear what makes you feel good...and look good. I don't look good in dress slacks...I look OLD! But when I dress like I'm in my 30's, well people think I'm in my 30's! Shhhhh, don't tell anyone!
*Interested in being highlighted in the Keeping It Fresh series? Submit a photo and your answers to the bolded questions to kerrie@activerain.com.
Previous Keeping It Fresh Posts:
My clients always say that I am my best when I am comfortable. I can't get away with shorts and a Hawaian shirt as some of my friends can in the islands, but a clean cut button down and a good pair of jeans spells success...
I was told long ago not to outdress your cliental. This area is very relaxed so the office dress is very casual, unless we have a big outside the area profession coming up to look at investments.. Then a little more formal...
Never out-dress your clients! First meeting is dark blue jeans, dress shirt. Second meeting faded jeans, button up shirt, from there on it is more casual normally ending up in shorts and a cool t-shirt near closing. I do recompose for closing to dark blue jeans and a dress shirt. I've been told to chill out and not be a stuffed shirt about clothes :)
Love it. You sound like a man who is comfortable in his jeans, and his own skin.
Kerrie,
Great series and Thom certainly fits the bill for the casual Realtor.
Rich
Jeans is my only business attire since I am usually looking at REO/bank owned properties with investors.
You could never look old, Thom. Realtors here still haven't completely gotten to the jeans stage here, well at least most of us haven't.
Great post, and I love to wear jeans too, but not all the time . . . would have loved to see the fashion faux pas!! I am sure I have done worse!
Love this idea for posts to get to know other Rainers, Kerrie - and Thom, your style looks perfect to me!
Sharon
Kerrie - this series is so much fun and I love seeing a guy and hearing his thoughts on fashion. Thom looks great in his casual urban hip look. I also love my bluejeans. I dress for consults, but staging in jeans and a white T-shirt. It's like my uniform. Can't wait to see who next on your list of Keeping it Fresh series!
Excellent, Kerrie. I definitely follow Thom's plan. I spent 30 years in a suit. Today, I'm dressed up if I have jeans, a button down shirt and a blazer. It's rare to catch me in a suit today. I love it.
Thom would fit in great in SE Oklahoma where jeans rule! When we wear what we feel good in, the day goes well.
We don't see a lot of people wearing jeans to work around here, but I have been known to wear shorts when working on a hot day. Maybe a little shake-it-up is in order
Thom you look fabulous and I love the down-to-earth approach you have. I love a crisp button-down shirt and the belt (w/o suspenders) pulls the whole look together. Marvelous!!
Thom, did you say 30's? I was going for 29ish! Stay cool and be who you are!
Kerrie...
Thom is a great guy and a real hoot in person. He's one of AR's true personalities and we're proud to have him here in GA!
Looks good to me, but then again, jeans work just fine in Riverside, Texas. That is what I am used to seeing.
I think you have hit the nail on the head.. you are yourself and that self is one great agent.
Fun! Kristine
I see.
yup, that's my Thom alright. And of course he is still in his thrity's. :)
This one was a really fun read. I do not know Thom too well, but he seems to be young at heart.
Kerrie, thanks for this series that make us feel we know more about them....
About Best Fashion Advice --- Be Yourself, true for our business, too.
Kerrie - This is fun!
Thom - I'll buy 30's no problem! You look great!
I like his style. I like the casual vibe. Some people are more comfortable that way :)
What a fun series you are doing here Kerrie! I know Thom Abbott. Kinda. Seems like a cool dude to me. I like his style.
Feeling comfortable and confident in your clothes is the name of the game.
Kerrie making merrie...(good merrie) and this man is a double OO agent no problem...good post
Terrific. When we first started in this business we were showing a unit for over $3m. The agent had to meet us there. When he showed up, we were dressed to the nines, the customers looked like they were going to the beach and the other agent was in shorts. Fast forward 10 years..... everything the same except we're now in shorts as well.
You look handsome Thom in anything you wear! Regardless, it's your stellar personality that separates you from the others.
When are we having coffee?
Kathy
30's? Gosh, I'm feeling YOUNGER by the day! Thom is a true friend and I can honestly say that no matter how he is dressed, his clients LOVE him! I've sent people his way who just rave about him--his knowledge, compassion and attention to detail is unsurpassed. I love me some Thom Abbott!
Hello Kerrie,
Thank you. It is a fun post to read. I have to admit, I am a city girl, and feel comfortable wearing high-heels and suits :)
But when I am home-- jeans.
Dont know Thom outside of Facebook posts, but I feel like I know him a little better today. Good stuff Kerrie!
Kerrie,
Great update on Thom! Love it and it fits who he is. Knowing yourself and feeling comfortable helps your customers.
All the best, Michelle
PS - Although, it's too hot here to wear Jeans:-)
Kerri, this is a great, fun series you're doing on AR.
Thom, being yourself is the best!!
Kerrie:
Most of the time I dress in good slacks and a long sleeved tee shirt or shirt. I occassionally wear jeans and a nice shirt or nice tee shirt. Most of my clients dress like I do or they wear shorts on a very ward day. I think Thom looks great.
I love it! I too live in my jeans. It is only when it is too hot during the summer that I am forced to wear sundresses. We don't have the luxury of showing property here in cars, so we all have to walk. So when the humudity is high, we need to keep as cool as possible!
I dress up when I have new clients or business meetings. You can tell I am comfortable with a client when I will show up in jeans and boots.
Hi Kerrie,
This is a cool idea. Nice way to keep it fresh during these hot summer months.
Dress makes the person, so go with what is comfortable and don't overdress is the rule.
I did not know that you had a series going. I will check out the prior posts. I enjoyed reading this one.
I did not know about the series either and will also check out other posts.
Hi Kerrie -- this is really a fun series and a chance to gain some insight into the members of Active Rain.
About to take off for the day and wanted to wish you a wonderful weekend in the sun!
Being comfortable is key - I also like the jeans and dress shirt approach but often after the first meeting. All the best, Dave
Kerrie~ Thom is definitely comfortable and confident in his jeans, wish I could get away with that. Maybe if I'm showing property in the country, but not in town.
Great post Kerrie... I love his photo-- it looks so natural and unstaged! Kathy