My Style: Jason Laurits
Photo: Courtesy of Jason Laurits
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
I’ve become more conservative on the outside and bolder on the inside. When I was younger, I tried to be very bold in appearance, but in hindsight I wasn’t as wild as I tried to appear. I think that’s common with a lot of people. I usually find the people who put it all out there in their look tend to be the least interesting.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Overthinking it.
Do you believe in role models?
Yes, though a role model should be someone you know personally, and knows and cares about you.
What are your favourite fabrics?
Anything breathable: cotton, linen, and silk.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
I usually believe anything goes, as long as it looks natural and comfortable to the person wearing it.
Which city has the best-dressed men?
New York, of course.
What are the rules in the way you dress?
Go with what I am feeling at the moment, and try to have one simple element that catches one’s eyes.
Celebrities and style...
Are too influential on how people try to dress.
Name one garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
I’m a jacket/coat hoarder.
A man should always look like...
His style came together on its own.
Who taught you what you know about style?
My grandmother. She was a garment worker in New York City.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
I am sorry to say there is not much of a process. I am not the best dressed when it comes to going to work. There is really no one there to see it. Getting ready for an evening out on the other hand…
What is your biggest regret?
No regrets, even things that temporarily feel regretful show necessity over time.
The three essential things a man should know about style are...
You know better what works for you than you realise, just get out of the stigma that as a man, you need to be dressed by others. Good style can be casual, if done right. Humility makes you look far better than arrogance. That’s where true confidence lies.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
My shopping habits evolved out of thrift stores growing up. So anything that sparks the slightest amount of interest I try on. I don’t make the decision looking at it on a hanger.
We will never see you wearing...
A prominent clothing brand logo.
The most stylish person you have ever seen...
Don’t remember, can’t think of anyone, but I could tell you my top five of the funniest people I have ever met in a second.
What is the first thing you notice on a man?
His smile.
The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is...
His shoelaces; make sure they are tied.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
Not always. Good design must include practicality in most genres, though in fashion not always as much. But that doesn’t mean you can’t look good and be comfortable. It’s kind of like the final level. If you figure out how to achieve both, you’ve got it made. Fortunately, for men, it’s much easier than it is for women.
Which designer never fails to impress you?
Christopher Bailey, Hedi Slimane, Shades of Greige, Nicholas K.
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
New York doesn’t owe you a damn thing.
