My Style: Atte Rytkönen
Portrait: Courtesy of Atte Rytkönen
The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is…
Is the one he is about to purchase. Never buy anything unless you are sure why you are buying that particular item.
Please describe your style in three words.
Simple, adaptable, and appropriate (for the occasion).
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Trying too hard.
What are your favourite fabrics?
The answer depends on the situation.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
Any combination that I don't personally feel comfortable with.
Which city has the best-dressed men?
From the ones that I have visited so far, I would say New York. At least there one can find a considerable amount of guys dressed in different, interesting and personal ways.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
Boldly conservative.
What are the rules in the way you dress?
I don't know that much about rules, but I try to dress following the “whatever you wear, always dress to kill” mantra, which means you need to feel confident no matter what you're wearing. Having said this, I try to keep my style simple, always appropriate for the occasion and the environment.
Celebrities and style...
Is something that should be seen as an opportunity.
Name one garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
A blue blazer. In terms of men's classic clothing, I don’t think there is any garment as versatile as that.
A man should always look like…
He knows what he is doing. And if he does not know, a man should always be wise enough to admit that.
Who taught you what you know about style?
I'd say I'm self-taught but I've been fortunate enough to meet and get to know people possessing a huge amount of knowledge as well as an impeccable eye for style. And for what I know so far, there's still a lot to be learned.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
Based on the schedule and agenda of the day.
What is your biggest regret?
Rather than looking behind, I try to keep my eyes on the future.
The three essential things a man should know about style are…
Simplicity is beautiful and most of the time less is more - if you’re not sure, play it safe. Secondly, dressing oneself starts from awareness, both for oneself and the environment. Not all styles or clothing suits everyone, so blindly copying someone else does not lead you to success. It's also important to acknowledge the environment you are dealing with. Finally, you need to make the distinction between finding inspiration and copying one's style. You must always investigate, learn, understand, and then select. If you've done your due diligence and appreciate the process, then you'll never let “popular opinion” dictate your success.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
I'm afraid I don't.
We will never see you wearing…
Never say never.
The most stylish person you have ever seen…
As mentioned, I've been lucky to meet many people with an amazing eye for style, so I can't really name one. But I'd start my list with names such as Jeremy Hackett, Agyesh Madan, Yasuto Kamoshita, Simone Righi and Brunello Cucinelli.
What is the first thing you notice on a man?
The way he acts towards other people. And when it comes to clothing, probably his shoes.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
Antonio Ciongoli of Eidos Napoli, Agyesh Madan of Stoffa and Christian Kimber. They are genuine, fresh, humble and making real of the things they love and value.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
That would probably be my first pair of made to order boots from Alfred Sargent, in espresso coloured calf leather and purple suede. Actually, I don't even wear those boots that often but every time I look on the shelf in my living room, I can't help but smile. For me those boots actually represent the “feel good factor”, what I think is the most important thing in terms of dressing up. It's really about how you experience what you purchase.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
Definitely not. You should always feel comfortable in the clothes you are wearing. If you don't feel comfortable, people will notice sooner or later - no matter what you wear.
The one image that defined your approach to style…
I don't actually know where the picture is from, but it's a portrait showing a young Ralph Lauren in white shorts and light grey roll neck sweater, probably in front of his summer house.
Which designer never fails to impress you?
So far Antonio Ciongoli of Eidos Napoli.
Who would you like to recommend for My Style?
Andreas Weinås, Christian Kimber, Jeffrey Hilliard and Nick Ragosta of the Armoury.
