My Style: Michael Macko
Photo: Kyle David Widder — Courtesy of Michael Macko
Which city has the best-dressed men?
Milan, walking through Malpensa Airport is a sartorial experience.
Please describe your style in three words.
Colour, pattern, and texture.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Wearing all of your favourite things at the same time. Or the opposite, being boring.
Do you believe in role models?
Absolutely, I'm inspired by many people.
What are your favourite fabrics?
Flannel, cashmere, donegal, tweed, ikats, anything interesting.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
Head to toe designer looks, and trying to wear something that is not you for the sake of style.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
Bold, the older you get the less you care what others think. You also learn your true style and it becomes so much easier to dress and shop.
What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?
Comfort is first, I also never want to look like anyone else. I dress for myself, but love when other people appreciate it.
Celebrities and style...
Should always work with stylists who know what they are doing. It saves a lot of embarrassment.
One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
Charvet knit ties, Levis jeans, summer scarves, Gitman vintage shirts, down vests, Vans, bracelets.
A man should always look like...
He feels comfortable and looks good.
Who taught you what you know about style?
GQ Magazine, Style & The Man by Alan Flusser, and vintage movies.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
The weather forecast that day, where I'm going, what I'm doing and how I'm feeling.
What is your biggest regret?
Cleaning out my storage spaces from the 80's and 90's and not saving more of the clothes I had.
The three essential things a man should know about style are...
Know thyself, know thy brands, know a good tailor.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
Shopping is a ritual in and of itself.
We will never see you wearing...
Never say never!
The most stylish person you have ever seen...
Bruce Weber, it's as much his inner style as well as the outer.
What is the first thing you notice on a man?
His sense of humour, then his shoes.
The one image that defined your approach to style...
Any of the GQ covers of the 80s, it was what first made me aware of fashion.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
I'm fortunate enough to work with and be friends with a lot of them. Michael Bastian, Ian Velardi, Mark McNairy and Luis Fernandez of Number: Lab.
The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is...
Suits, shoes, and a watch are the things you should spend as much time and money on selecting as you can.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
A Woolrich buffalo plaid hunting jacket that belonged to my dad, it's the only item of clothing of his that I own.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
The two should never be exclusive of each other.
Which designer never fails to impress you?
Marc Jacobs and Miuccia Prada. I think the two of them are the designers who are always thinking about what's next.
Who would you like to see next in My Style?
There are so many people in the industry with great style who are not household names, photographers, stylists, retailers.
The best words of advice you have ever heard?
"Be nice."
