My Style: Brett Fahlgren
Photo: Courtesy of Brett Fahlgren
The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is...
His shoes, fit of a sport jacket, hem of a trouser, too many to list. It’s all about the details.
Please describe your style in three words.
Timeless. All-American. Easy. (Four words)
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Trying too hard. Don’t ever look like you laid your clothes out on the bed the night before!
Do you believe in role models?
Yes. I’m a bit of a rogue at times, and having good influences in my life keeps me grounded.
What are your favourite fabrics?
Wool and cotton. I design ski sweaters that use a beautiful lambswool from Australia. In the summer I use cotton for my tie collection.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
Not really.
Which city has the best-dressed men?
Stockholm. Just take a stroll on a summer afternoon in August and everyone is impeccably dressed.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
Classic.
What are the rules in the way you dress?
Easy, clean cut, often in a jacket and tie.
Celebrities and style...
Often don’t mix.
Name one garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
Ties. A good tie can make or break your look. Make sure you never miss the mark.
A man should always look like...
He’s self-aware.
Who taught you what you know about style?
My many wonderful colleagues from working at Calvin Klein, Prada, and now GQ.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
I start with one thing and go from there. Sometimes it’s jeans, often a sport jacket. It changes every day.
What is your biggest regret?
I’d like to have more free time to do hobbies, drawing, sketching, and painting.
The three essential things a man should know about style are...
Be yourself. Keep evolving. Tuck your dress shirt in.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
No. My rituals for shopping involve grocers and the wine store. Does that count?
We will never see you wearing...
Neon.
The most stylish person you have ever seen...
Miuccia Prada. A creative genius who is one of the very few who can present fashion as an artistic endeavour without irony.
What is the first thing you notice on a man?
His watch is a good indicator.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
I like what Christopher Bastin is doing with Gant Rugger. Beautiful, well-made sportswear that can look good on anyone.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
My ties, watches, and winter jackets. And the wardrobe itself — I have a huge Prada steamer trunk that is the size of a refrigerator, by far the best design piece I own.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
Absolutely not, you should always be comfortable.
Which designer never fails to impress you?
Ralph Lauren. He is the only American designer who you can put on the same level as iconic European designers like Giorgio Armani and Prada.
Who would you like to recommend for My Style?
Matthew Sebra of GQ.
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
It’s not about doing either, or, — it’s about doing both. We all have the capacity for more.
