My Style: Kurt Soller
Photo: Joey Kuhn — Courtesy of Kurt Soller
Which new designers do you follow and why?
N. Hoolywood makes me wish I had a different body type, while Christopher Bastin (at Gant Rugger) makes me glad for the one I have. When Reed Krakoff breaks into men’s accessories soon, I think they’ll be fantastic. I’m excited to see what Todd Snyder, formerly of J.Crew, has in store for men (like me) who lean toward the preppy side of things.
Please describe your style in three words.
Masculine yet boyish.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Ignoring his body.
Do you believe in role models?
In work and life? Sure. In style? Not so much… unless it’s Jean-Paul Belmondo.
What are your favourite fabrics?
Leather. Wool.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
Matching tie-and-pocket-square sets; shorts and boots.
Which city has the best-dressed men?
New York. Less precious than other cities.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
I’d never admit to either.
What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?
Mainly, I try not to wear anything that makes me uncomfortable—either because it fits incorrectly, or because it’s a bad fit with my other clothes or ideas of what looks good.
Celebrities and style...
Have a much longer history than modern men like to admit.
One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
Personally? Leather jackets.
A man should always look like...
He cares, but not too much.
Who taught you what you know about style?
In my teens, my mom used to work at a shoe company. She’d often put on two pairs of shoes, then ask, “Left or right?” I like to think that was my earliest education as an editor.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
In rough order: the weather; my schedule; what’s clean.
Your biggest regret is...
Not buying that vintage Burberry trench in Paris five years ago.
The three essential things a man should know about style are...
Wear what you like. Try new things. If you’re unsure, sunglasses always help.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
Only at the grocery store.
We will never see you wearing...
Contact lenses.
The most stylish person you have ever seen...¦
Too early to tell.
What is the first thing you notice on a man?
His watch.
The one image that defined your approach to style...
Nick Carraway (the book version) always stands out, for some reason.
The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is...
His underwear.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
Right now: a navy Valentino cardigan that I’ll wear all fall; my converse All Stars from when I first moved to New York (still got ‘em); a black vintage leather motorcycle jacket; a Gant Rugger baseball jacket; and a silly Ralph Lauren golf sweater that’s plaid with black leather patches. A necklace made of zippers, too, which all my friends hate but strangers seem to love.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
If it is, you’re getting dressed wrong.
Which designer never fails to impress you?
Scott Sternberg of Band of Outsiders nails today’s mood of casual ease when it comes to getting dressed. Miuccia Prada constantly surprises me and wins the trend game, while Christopher Bailey of Burberry creates clothes I want to wear now, even as “now” is constantly changing. Also, Dries Van Noten, because, well, why the hell not?
Who would you like to see next in My style?
I’d prefer to discover new people not yet on my radar.
The best word of advice you have ever heard?
Spectacles, testicles, wallet, and watch.
