Sebastian has an attention-grabbing story – a clothes story with distinct phases. He’s a long-term reader (simply over 10 years) and has worn many various types, many various manufacturers. However he is one other PS reader in essence – at all times a bit much like the final, at all times a bit totally different.
We’ve met a couple of instances, at pop-ups and within the acquainted shops, nevertheless it turned out we’ve another connections. He grew up in Ecuador, the place I spent a cheerful month travelling. He knew my previous employer, Euromoney, via his work too. There have been extra connections than you’d anticipate, which is at all times a pleasant shock.
I hope you get pleasure from his story and his garments.
Outfit 1
- Parka: Buzz Rickson duplicate of M-51
- Jacket: Bespoke, from Solito
- Trousers: Bespoke, from Whitcomb & Shaftesbury
- Shirt: Turnbull & Asser
- Tie: Drake’s
- Belt: Rubato
- Sneakers: Crockett & Jones, Cavendish mannequin
- Watch: JLC Reverso
How did you first get into clothes?
Properly I used to be born in Ecuador, however from the age of 5 we lived in Caracas, Venezuela. This was the seventies and Caracas was a affluent, cosmopolitan metropolis, with a variety of American affect.
I used to be into my garments even earlier than turning 10 – or at the very least I had an consciousness of what I wore and of color, which I suppose not everybody does at that age. I wore a variety of American sportswear. That was my old flame.
However then after I was older we moved to England, and I keep in mind my mom purchasing for garments at Marks & Spencer. I cried after I noticed the issues she purchased – it wasn’t the identical.
In my teenagers I went via totally different subcultures. I used to be a Informal for a few years – Tacchini and all that. Then I used to be a Mod – most likely the primary Latin American Mod in England! This is the reason I wore my parka in the present day, in homage to these years.
Did you retain up that curiosity in clothes?
Oh no, after I was in my mid-twenties I entered the darkish years so far as clothes is worried. I used to be a advisor and busy making an attempt to ascertain a profession, having a household. I travelled so much, placed on weight, clothes was very useful.
However then in my early forties, when a few of the stress lessened, I rediscovered clothes. I believe it was about that point I began studying your web site as nicely. I dug out the garments I used to like, however bought into new areas too. The reality is I proceed to have many types, however I’ve a variety of enjoyable with all of it so do not contemplate it an issue!
Do you assume you’ve too many garments?
My spouse will surely say so! One challenge is I solely began promoting issues up to now yr and a half, totally on eBay. I’m beginning to get higher at it although. I managed to promote my previous Lee Rider jacket via Bryceland’s lately, although then I purchased yours, in order that was extra of a swap…
Is your spouse into garments?
Not that a lot. Though I do assume if there have been extra retailers like Bryceland’s for girls, which might be so welcoming, really easy, perhaps extra would admire good, timeless garments. It’s additionally a lot nicer to buy when there are a couple of locations you go to, who provide most issues, who get to know you too.
I hadn’t thought of that. We’re fortunate in that regard, actually within the space of conventional menswear. I believe my spouse would love purchasing that method as nicely.
Outfit 2
- Jacket: LEJ
- Shirt: Brcyeland’s
- Trousers: Scott Fraser Assortment
- Belt: Rubato
- Sneakers: Crockett & Jones, Cavendish mannequin
- Cap: Aimé Leon Dore
- Necklace: Crimson Rabbit necklace with silver pendant from French flea market
- Watch: Omega Speedmaster (pre-Moon)
Do you assume rising up with an curiosity in clothes helps you in a while? Does it offer you a longtime style?
It undoubtedly helps – I’m very instinctual, and it may be exhausting to all of a sudden develop that for those who’ve by no means been into garments. Additionally it is attention-grabbing
to rationalise your method to garments and to consider why sure issues work and others don’t, and in addition to contemplate totally different views. Your web site has been vastly useful in that sense.
Black is an efficient instance. I by no means wore black after I was youthful, or in my profession, and at all times thought it was too one-dimensional, a bit flat. However after I learn your items on it, I realised how a lot was about texture, and the way some classes have been simpler than others.
I suppose this outfit is influenced by that – I by no means would have worn it a couple of years in the past. I admire the feel within the seersucker, within the linen trousers. And I naturally break it up, with a belt or one thing else.
It’s attention-grabbing to see you put on it with crimson as nicely, as that robust distinction doesn’t work on me – your colouring should assist.
Sure, and naturally that’s a giant a part of that background in garments – you’ve a greater concept of what fits you.
The place are the trousers from?
These are from Scott Simpson, however I had him taper them a bit from his normal width on the decrease leg. I like huge trousers but when they’re too large on the backside they will drown you. Even when they’re large it helps in the event that they taper a bit.
You could possibly put on that width extra simply than me given your top. I suppose that’s yet another about studying about what appears to be like good on you.
The sneakers are from Crockett & Jones?
Sure I’ve three pairs – probably the most snug idler for my foot I’ve discovered. The brown tassels within the first outfit have been Crocketts as nicely.
The belt is from Rubato, though I’ve additionally gotten into western belts from Silver Ostrich because of you. And the jacket is from LEJ – it was a pattern and I needed to persuade Luke to promote it to me. I believe it was a shorter size than his standard chores, which works so much higher on my top.
How a lot are you into watches?
Not that a lot, or at the very least not as a lot as garments. I’ve a handful of collectible ones, a few of which you’ll see in these outfits. I’m higher at controlling myself in relation to watches – my greatest weak point is unquestionably garments, outerwear significantly.
Outfit 3
- Jacket: MTM, Aero Leather-based
- Scarf: Mahala
- Roll neck: De Bonne Facture
- Trousers: As in Outfit 1
- Watch: 1967 Rolex Day Date
I like the headscarf right here, the place’s that from?
A bit of store known as Mahala that’s near us in Crouch Finish. They do some beautiful textiles that they import from locations like Afghanistan, Iran. There are kilims from Turkey, handmade items from India.
They’ve made me a couple of pairs of trousers through the years too – they’re not sartorial items however they’re properly executed they usually have some fairly particular materials. Additionally they like a very good large trouser.
I like looking down issues like that overseas as nicely – I used to be in Marrakesh lately for work and I liked strolling the markets, listening to everybody’s pitch, taking a look at all of the textiles. There’s a vibrant, entrepreneurial environment to every part.
I presume the jacket was made to measure for you, is that proper?
Sure this was made by Aero Leather-based – at an occasion Clutch did a couple of years in the past.
How do you discover the expertise of made to measure or made to order?
It’s exhausting, as a result of there’s extra threat there than with tailoring, partly since you’re not going to have a becoming, and partly as a result of as soon as it is made that is just about it. So I might by no means do one thing that was simply on-line, the place you needed to enter all the data your self – this was totally different as a result of the fellows have been on the trunk present and taking measurements themselves, taking some accountability!
The place do you’ve your tailoring made?
I’ve used a couple of totally different locations through the years, however once more I wouldn’t say I’m a giant bespoke man. I’ve enterprise fits from Whitcomb & Shaftesbury, informal jackets from Solito. Oh, and I lately used WW Chan for the primary time via Bryceland’s for a easy navy MTM sports activities jacket. Regardless of my nervousness, I used to be actually happy with the outcome. I’ve been aiming to get a easy navy blazer for some time now, however then I get distracted by one thing else. This time I lastly did it.
I also needs to embrace a shout-out to my fellow countrymen at Hidalgo Brothers on Savile Row – we walked previous them earlier. They’re Ecuadorean too, a complete household crew, they usually do an incredible job with alterations. I exploit Pinnas & Needles in Soho too, however they’ve a little bit of a backlog.
I’ve by no means executed bespoke sneakers, and undecided I ever will. I’m not certain I may justify the cash concerned.
Some other garments you’ve got purchased lately that you simply’d advocate to readers?
I lately bought some boots from La Botte Gardiane within the south of France that get a variety of feedback. They’re mainly French cowboy boots from the Camargue – comparable performance however with out all of the associations of western cowboy boots.
I really feel that they are good worth, and have an incredible form. You may also have them made to order if you would like some tweaks. The collar is sort of massive so there may be some motion when you have smaller ankles, like me. However you get used to that.
