My Style: Claes Juhlin
Portrait: Courtesy of Claes Juhlin
The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is…
Besides clean underwear, his shoes. I can't stress this enough: invest in good shoes.
Please describe your style in three words.
Cowboy and skateboard.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Too much stuff going on at the same time. Less really is more.
Do you believe in role models?
In life? Sure. In fashion? Don’t worry, you can go your own way.
What are your favourite fabrics?
Denim, leather, and raw silk.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
Not really.
Which city has the best-dressed men?
Definitely Stockholm. Copenhagen lands the honourable second place.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
Conservative when it comes to fit and materials. Bold when it comes to mixing and matching.
What are the rules in the way you dress?
Work day: cowboy boots, jeans and a coat. Skate day: Converse, Dickies and a long sleeve.
Celebrities and style...
Seem to go together like oil and water.
Name one garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
I'll give you three: vintage Levi's 505's, good quality cowboy boots and black leather jackets.
A man should always look like…
He's confident that he looks good in what he wears.
Who taught you what you know about style?
I've been fortunate enough to be surrounded by stylish people my whole life. My father looked quite cool back in the day and had a flair for Pierre Cardin and Yves Saint Laurent. I also worked for Swedish stylist Lalle Johnson for three years and of course that made an impact. Besides that, I have tons of fashionable friends: Pontus Björkman, Martin Gjesing, Justin O'Shea and Andreas Weinås to name a few.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
It depends on the mood I have that day.
What is your biggest regret?
Not being Bryan Ferry.
The three essential things a man should know about style are…
It's all about fit, proportions and having a good time.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
I tend to do quite a lot of research before I buy stuff. I'm not an impulse shopper at all.
We will never see you wearing...
Rollerblades.
The most stylish person you have ever seen...
That one time I saw Bernard-Henri Lévy walking out from the Charvet store on Place Vendôme is probably up there.
What is the first thing you notice on a man?
His shoes.
The one image that defined your approach to style...
Probably some old picture of Alain Delon or Bruce Springsteen.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
Not sure if he can be considered a new designer, but I really appreciate Christophe Lemaire. I think that Patrick Grant is on to something nice with E. Tautz as well.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
My cowboy boots. Especially a pair of vintage Lucchese in snake skin that I bought from an old gentleman in El Paso.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
Quite the opposite I would say.
Which designer never fails to impress you?
Well, Phoebe Philo is on a streak, but more locally I really like what my buddies over at Our Legacy are doing.
Who would you like to recommend for My Style?
Stylist Linn Hägglund and Our Legacy boss Jockum Hallin.
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
Never judge people's outsides by their insides.
