My Style: Atif Kazmi
Photo: William Yan — Courtesy of Atif Kazmi
We will never see you wearing...
Espadrilles. Did I even spell that right?
Please describe your style in three words.
Personal. Effortless. Self-Confident.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
I see a lot of people over do it these days just to get noticed. They try so hard that they don’t even look comfortable. People have to be able to wake up in the morning and get dressed in clothing that they’re comfortable in and look comfortable in.
Do you believe in role models?
I believe in being influenced by great people. I believe in men who worked hard, gave up everything for the greater good of their family, as they were building the great American Dream. My dad, my late uncle, and my older brother are my definition of great.
What are your favourite fabrics?
Fabrics are seasonal so right now, I’m digging linen or a blend thereof. A few months from now, I’ll swap that out for wools and cashmere.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
I believe style is self-defined so I may object to doing certain things myself, but I can’t knock others for giving it a shot as they might be able to pull it off much better than I could.
Which city has the best-dressed men?
I hear Milan is great though I’ve never been. I was brought up in the Northeast and really believe men in New York City really know how to dress. Of course not all of them do, but there a lot of folks I come across that just don’t miss a beat.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
I’m a mixture but more so bold. I’m not afraid to take risks, which has worked nine out of ten times. Don’t ask about the other one time.
What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?
People have these style rules they treat like gospel and I guess I naturally abide by a lot of them but they shouldn’t hold you back from expressing yourself.
Celebrities and style...
Don’t mix, because I don’t think most celebrities have it. They have stylists and money.
One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
Socks. Subtle self-expression.
A man should always look like...
He’s ready to close the biggest deal of his life. ABC.
Who taught you what you know about style?
My dad. He’s more particular than I am, but his love for clothing really rubbed off on me at an early age.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
Your mood before going to sleep and when you wake up seldom align, at least for me. That’s why I just try to see how I’m feeling in the AM and take it from there.
What is your biggest regret?
That I didn’t value the people that were always by my side until they weren’t anymore. Taking people that care about me for granted is and will always be my greatest regret.
The three essential things a man should know about style are...
That it’s really about self-expression, it’s self-defined, but will be the first thing most people will be able to judge you on, even from a distance.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
Yes, to ball ‘til I fall. Kidding. But seriously.
The most stylish person you have ever seen...
Nish de Gruiter of Suitsupply. The man bleeds self-confidence.
What is the first thing you notice on a man?
His shoes.
The one image that defined your approach to style...
I’d like to think my approach can’t be defined as I try to diversify and switch things up as much as possible.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
Public School as I really think they’re doing something great for the menswear spectrum as well as for New York. We haven’t seen fashion like this come out of New York for quite some time, and their infusion of streetwear into a more sartorial lineup is refreshing to say the least.
The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is...
The tie. Width, length, knot all matter so much.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
My shoes. I have a closet dedicated to them. Sneakers, dress shoes, boots, all stacked in their original boxes.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
Definitely not.
Which designer never fails to impress you?
Umit Benan. For as long as I can remember, each collection has been nothing short of exceptional.
Who would you like to see next in My Style?
Lawrence Schlossman. I’ve always respected his style as he’s really knowledgeable. Dude really knows his shit. He has a very down to earth way of preaching style and fashion.
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
“Don’t be another blip on the radar.”
