Sebastian has an fascinating story – a clothes story with distinct phases. He’s a long-term reader (simply over 10 years) and has worn many alternative kinds, many alternative manufacturers. However he is one other PS reader in essence – at all times a bit of much like the final, at all times a bit of completely different.
We’ve met a couple of occasions, 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 contented month travelling. He knew my previous employer, Euromoney, by way of his work too. There have been extra connections than you’d anticipate, which is at all times a pleasant shock.
I hope you take pleasure in 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
- Footwear: Crockett & Jones, Cavendish mannequin
- Watch: JLC Reverso
How did you first get into clothes?
Effectively 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 whole lot of American affect.
I used to be into my garments even earlier than turning 10 – or a minimum of I had an consciousness of what I wore and of color, which I suppose not everybody does at that age. I wore a whole lot of American sportswear. That was my old flame.
However then once I was older we moved to England, and I bear in mind my mom looking for garments at Marks & Spencer. I cried once I noticed the issues she purchased – it wasn’t the identical.
In my teenagers I went by way of completely 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! That is why I wore my parka immediately, in homage to these years.
Did you retain up that curiosity in clothes?
Oh no, once I was in my mid-twenties I entered the darkish years so far as clothes is anxious. I used to be a advisor and busy attempting to determine a profession, having a household. I travelled rather a lot, placed on weight, clothes was very purposeful.
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 acquired into new areas too. The reality is I proceed to have many kinds, however I’ve a whole lot of enjoyable with all of it so do not take into account it an issue!
Do you assume you’ve gotten too many garments?
My spouse would definitely say so! One problem is I solely began promoting issues prior 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 by way of Bryceland’s just 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 outlets like Bryceland’s for ladies, 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, definitely within the space of conventional menswear. I believe my spouse would love buying that manner as nicely.
Outfit 2
- Jacket: LEJ
- Shirt: Brcyeland’s
- Trousers: Scott Fraser Assortment
- Belt: Rubato
- Footwear: 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 positively helps – I’m very instinctual, and it may be laborious to abruptly develop that should you’ve by no means been into garments. It is usually fascinating
to rationalise your method to garments and to consider why sure issues work and others don’t, and likewise to contemplate completely different views. Your web site has been massively useful in that sense.
Black is an efficient instance. I by no means wore black once I was youthful, or in my profession, and at all times thought it was too one-dimensional, a bit flat. However once 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 fascinating to see you put on it with crimson as nicely, as that sturdy 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 gotten 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 of from his normal width on the decrease leg. I like large trousers but when they’re too vast on the backside they’ll drown you. Even when they’re vast it helps in the event that they taper a bit of.
You possibly can put on that width extra simply than me given your top. I suppose that’s another about studying about what seems to be good on you.
The footwear are from Crockett & Jones?
Sure I’ve three pairs – essentially the most comfy 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 due to 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 regular chores, which works rather a lot higher on my top.
How a lot are you into watches?
Not that a lot, or a minimum of 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 on the subject of watches – my greatest weak spot is certainly 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 really like the headband 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 and so they have some fairly particular materials. Additionally they like a superb vast trouser.
I like looking down issues like that overseas as nicely – I used to be in Marrakesh just lately for work and I beloved strolling the markets, listening to everybody’s pitch, taking a look at all of the textiles. There’s a vibrant, entrepreneurial ambiance to every thing.
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 laborious, 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’d by no means do one thing that was simply on-line, the place you needed to enter all the knowledge your self – this was completely different as a result of the blokes have been on the trunk present and taking measurements themselves, taking some accountability!
The place do you’ve gotten your tailoring made?
I’ve used a couple of completely 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 just lately used WW Chan for the primary time by way of 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 workforce, and so they do an amazing 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 footwear, and unsure I ever will. I’m not certain I might justify the cash concerned.
Some other garments you’ve got purchased just lately that you simply’d advocate to readers?
I just lately acquired some boots from La Botte Gardiane within the south of France that get a whole lot 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 amazing form. You too can have them made to order if you need some tweaks. The collar is sort of massive so there’s some motion when you have smaller ankles, like me. However you get used to that.
