My Style: Aaron Bakalar
Photo: Guy Eppel — Courtesy of Aaron Bakalar
Which new designers do you follow and why?
Kim Jones is pretty good, I have a really great pair of leather sneakers he did in collaboration with Umbro. Annabelle Dexter-Jones took a stab at designing a womenswear collection — you can find it on Net-A-Porter this summer. She has such a talented mind for dreaming up clothing and outfits.
Please describe your style in three words.
Comfortable, fitted, and young.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
I've noticed a lot of people don't really think about what looks best on them personally; if there's a trend it doesn't always look good on everyone. I feel like people realise that soon after and waste their money a lot. I'm a sucker for fitting myself; I'm a smaller man and I sometimes forget that.
Do you believe in role models?
Sure, but I think everyone has their own opinion and originality regardless whether they use it or conform to following a role model.
What are your favourite fabrics?
Anything soft. A good hard fabric like a great Carhartt jacket is nice when you're outdoors in the spring or fall… Oh, and waterproof fabric is still magic to me.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
Laziness.
Which city has the best-dressed men?
The best-dressed homeless men: Paris, France.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
I'd say I'm learning how to be conservative in a bold way.
What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?
Clean socks and underwear.
Celebrities and style...
Need not always be thought of as hand in hand. I'd like to see more celebrities getting noted for their work and talent, not how they wear a garment.
One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
That great T-shirt that you know feels good and makes you comfortable.
A man should always look like...
A mensch.
Who taught you what you know about style?
Hm. I'd have to say as early as first grade. My long time childhood friend and photographer, Vincent Marcinelli opened my mind at that age to be aware of how clothing made its own statements. We were pretty whacky sometimes back then…
How do you select your clothing every morning?
Not with much thought. I usually have a pair of pants I can't seem to take off or a jacket that keeps getting worn. Everything seems to rotate — not really selected.
What is your biggest regret?
Not making the eye patch I had to wear as a toddler a current accessory of mine. But jokes aside: regrets are lame, ya gotta keep on, keep on… Right?
The three essential things a man should know about style are...
Do. Whatever's. Comfortable.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
Thrifting all around Michigan, USA — where I grew up (a full state surround by Great Lakes; it's quite an underrated and beautiful place).
We will never see you wearing...
Toe-fitted running shoes.
The most stylish person you have ever seen...
I was at a holiday dinner in the Pacific Palisades two years ago in California and Diane Keaton was in a fedora, long black coat she never took off or opened, along with high heeled ankle boots. That moment seeing her in that outfit really stands out for me when thinking about this question. I also have an Italian friend from Rome (he embodies the definition of an Italian friend from Rome) named Andrea Franchini; he is always dressed appropriately and with impeccable taste.
What is the first thing you notice on a man?
His shoes.
The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is...
I need to take up some lessons on the matter myself: knowing how to fit a suit properly. It is important to feel confident in a great suit I think. I've been meaning to get a new one for a few months now.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
Probably all my go-tos for when I get sick or catch a cold and know I can find comfort in at least those items during that time.
Which designer never fails to impress you?
I don't follow enough about high fashion to really say. However, I've noticed recently that whenever I like something on one of my girlfriends it's usually something Miu Miu. Also, J.Crew is doing a great job at mass clothing, especially for men (and children; a friend from college, Parsons School of Design, named Michelle Copelman does their children accessories — very original). Thom Browne is all around very interesting to me for menswear; I don't own any of his clothes though. I bet he fits a smaller man like me (and himself) well but I don't spend on those sorts of clothing luxuries often.
Who would you like to see next in My Style?
Warren Beatty.
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
Just use your intuition and gut, or your heart, whatever you want to call it… don't need much more advice than that usually.
