I’ve identified Niyi for 3 or 4 years and he’s at all times somebody I’ve learnt from. His model is eclectic: basic menswear manufacturers alongside up to date style, bursts of color with subdued tones. But by some means he at all times finds a option to put them collectively and make it look easy.
Niyi describes it as “sartorial chaos” and for him that’s a badge of honour. I do know a few of it is going to be totally different to what PS readers are used to, however I discover it’s attention-grabbing unpacking the ideas and tastes of a classy particular person like Niyi, particularly the place garments are involved.
Outfit 1: All Black
- Coat – Versace
- Hat – Uniqlo
- Sun shades – Cutler & Gross
- Sneakers – Vass
- Scarf – Classic Chanel
- Sweatshirt – Our Legacy x Armani
- Watch – Braun
- Jewelry – Rings are Mor London and classic bracelet
What do you do for a residing?
I’m a enterprise analyst at a media firm. I assist the enterprise join with the shoppers. It’s a hybrid area – I earn a living from home more often than not however do two days within the workplace.
How does that have an effect on the way in which you gown, as a result of I do know you as a person of “sartorial chaos”. Do they permit chaos within the office?
Fortunately, they do! I wouldn’t say it’s conservative, like not a finance setting, but it surely’s additionally not a style setting and I’ve expertise working in each.
What was it like working in style? I’m positive that opened your eyes to loads that you just hadn’t seen earlier than.
Yeah, however I additionally discover I’ve naturally dialled down my model since then. It wasn’t a aware choice, only a query of ‘the place I’m proper now’. I simply do what I would like and gown the way in which I would like, therefore that time period “sartorial chaos” of mine you talked about. I like my colors, I gown how I would like inside the context of an area.
So inside the context of this job, which is extra informal, what I like is that I can take my time and be relaxed. Once I was in finance previously I felt there was a lot emphasis on the way in which you gown, nearly to the detriment of the client.
So, this primary outfit is your definition of wanting ‘sensible’ proper? It’s clear, very slick.
Precisely. Lots of people when they give thought to dressing sensible, they only default to a swimsuit. However this outfit for me is my thought of sensible. It’s as tailor-made as it’s relaxed, and that’s it.
I discover that if I do take the prepare to work (I largely cycle), I’ll be dressed like a freaking jazz grasp – and I really like that! That, for me, is feeling comfy. Individuals shall be like, is he going to a jazz live performance or is he going to work?
The trousers are a black army cavalry twill. I demand a hardiness in my garments, and these have gotten it whereas nonetheless being sensible. They have been made by my one in all faves within the recreation, Fred [Nieddu, of Taillour]. I can put on them with trainers, I can put on my Vass bluchers and it’s similar to ugh! Nice.
That coat although is an actual assertion. What’s that ?
Classic Versace. Cashmere with a half belt on the again. I obtained it from my classic man Waliou, this was one of many biggest items he ever discovered. He introduced it out and was like, “you’re the just one I do know that may put on this”, due to the size and all the things. I’m fairly fortunate to be 6”2’ – you gotta work with what you’re given!
What I’ve obtained below that could be a assembly of modernity and custom – a mock neck from the most recent Armani/Our Legacy collaboration.
That is it. You combine the classics with style so nicely.
I’ve enormous respect for custom, for the masters. There was a means that Versace used to chop jackets that’s simply *snaps fingers*. It was massive however nonetheless regarded good, which is testomony to how nicely tailoring was completed in these days
So long as your physique can fill the approximate silhouette it appears to be like stunning. The worst factor that may occur is that it drapes, and that’s hardly the worst factor on this planet.
Identical goes for the trousers. That is the fantastic thing about Fred, he respects each custom and modernity. Take a look at the way in which he attire – he wears the classics, but additionally a few of the most up to date stuff on the market. Like white Margielas. Earlier than they grew to become a factor.
I’ve an actual respect for that as a result of these are those that aren’t afraid. What I dislike is once I see that good conventional stuff. Superb for different individuals, but it surely feels an excessive amount of for me. I can’t do something concerning the time I dwell in, and there’s nice stuff being made proper now.
Outfit 2
- Swimsuit – Noah
- Sneakers – Adidas x Wales Bonner
- T-shirt – Albam
- Scarf – Classic Celine
- Belt – Classic
- Socks – Isabel Marant
This have to be one in all my favorite mixtures of yours, however let’s begin with the footwear – you generally confer with them as your ‘silver surfers’.
Enjoyable truth, my favorite superhero is the Silver Surfer. The Sambas are once more custom assembly modernity. Wales Bonner attracts from the previous and infuses it with one thing up to date. Just like the silver?
Like it. That Noah wire swimsuit is fairly good too. What led you to it? It’s an uncommon place to get a swimsuit for many PS readers.
There are such a lot of locations you may get a swimsuit, however a skate store doing tailoring? I simply discover that attention-grabbing. When Noah first introduced them out, they wished it to be a Decide ’n’ Combine state of affairs. Moderately than have the swimsuit multi function color, they wished you to purposefully combine it up. That’s right down to Brendon Babenzien’s imaginative and prescient.
I really like a superb double breasted. My proportions are fairly broad so I like how DBs flatter me. I may simply put on a DB with a shirt and tie and appear like a Kray Twin, however the place’s the enjoyable in that? That’s the default! I wish to put the garments by way of their paces MY means and put my very own spin on them.
That’s the place individuals can get model unsuitable I feel – they’re not making an attempt to infuse their garments with who they’re.
How lengthy have you ever had this swimsuit for, as a result of you’ll be able to’t discover this type of factor from Noah in the meanwhile. Consider me, I’ve tried.
I’ve had it for eight or 9 years. The purpose is at all times to personal nice items for some time – they need to be used, be worn. I don’t like this age the place we deal with clothes like glass. Even when it’s silk. Run it. Run it by way of its paces. The extra you put on it the extra you appear like an attractive rascal.
A horny rascal? Why do you wish to appear like a rascal?
Louche perhaps is the phrase. To be louche, to be free. I go away the home sporting a corduroy swimsuit, and on the finish of the day I’m nonetheless sporting one – it would simply be moderately crumpled. Exhibits that I’m residing life you understand.
Outfit 3
- Trousers – Classic army
- Knit – Bryceland’s
- Shirt – Muji
- Sneakers – Yuketen
- Sun shades – Cutler & Gross Scarf – Classic Celine
Lets discuss horsebit loafers – I’ve seen you in a couple of pairs, even seen you at evening dancing in a pair of Guccis
I do love my horsebits. Actually greater than horsebits, I simply love loafers. It goes again to that relaxed mindset. There’s nothing like slipping in, getting in your bike, doing what you gotta do.
Actually, one of many first issues I do once I get a pair of footwear like that is go straight to the cobblers and get some rubber half soles, so I can cycle in them. Yuketen are made to be worn over time, they’re not made flimsy.
So I put on them to the membership, however once I get house, I brush them after which if I must go to a celebration or bar mitzvah I’ll rock them once more.
You’ve obtained fairly a little bit of classic proper – does that return to the purpose about respect for custom?
Yeah, I estimate that my wardrobe is 50 or 60% classic, particularly on the subject of trousers and jackets.
That’s the place the Bryceland’s knit is available in, the lower is conventional, based mostly on an previous block good and cropped. However then the yellow is simply… rambunctious.
Equipment are vital with you, and each outfit appears to have a distinct print scarf, both tied round your neck or protruding of a pocket. The place’d that tendency come from?
I really like print, however greater than that I really like the dimensions of the silk scarfs. Giant and environment friendly protection towards the chilly, and so they don’t go away fluff on you. And did I point out the prints?
You at all times appear to be in sun shades too – why?
Sun shades are a humorous one, that was a 180 second for me. I by no means used to put on them, it was the identical angle as my social media – I not often go away it on personal as a result of I’m an open particular person. What you see is what you get.
Anyway, I went to the physician and the physician mentioned to me, “Oh you’re going to have to start out sporting sun shades since you’ve obtained a sunspot in your eye” I used to be like “Bro, I don’t want this… OK truthful sufficient.” So, I began making an attempt to put on shades extra in the summertime.
Sadly, I exploit contacts as nicely and since I’m at all times on the bike what occurs is my eyes get dry shortly with the wind, so I steadily put on my tinted sun shades even at evening. It’s inadvertently become a style assertion, however finally, I’m comfy with it.
And these specific ones – I’ve been on for a pair of jazz-black glasses for some time: darkish darkish, I’m speaking Thelonious Monk. Actual black. God bless Cutler & Gross. They usually’re nicely made, they’ve an actual weight to them.
Niyi, chale*, as at all times this has been enjoyable. Thanks!
*Ghanaian slang for my buddy/mate/dude
