My Style: Sam Spector
Photo: Courtesy of Sam Spector
Do you have any shopping rituals?
I must go to Paris to hit the boutiques and walk the streets for inspiration. Every season in New York, I shop at Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, and Jeffrey for shoes. I always place a personal order at Band of Outsiders. I’m little and they fit me the best. Oh, and if I find myself at Bloomingdale’s, I must stop at 40 Carrots (my favourite frozen yogurt).
Please describe your style in three words.
Classic, boyish, casual.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Forgetting to turn the lights on.
Do you believe in role models?
Yes, of course. Taking inspiration from someone you admire is always important.
What are your favourite fabrics?
Cashmere in winter, cotton in summer.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
Formal wear with jeans; anything overly embellished.
Which city has the best-dressed men?
Paris.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
I try to be somewhere in between.
What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?
Clothing must be tailored properly to fit.
Celebrities and style...
Intrigue me.
One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
Calvin Klein briefs.
A man should always look like...
He isn’t trying too hard.
Who taught you what you know about style?
I grew up reading men’s fashion magazines, went to Parsons, and had the good fortune of working with talented people like Gregory Wein at OUT, Nick Sullivan, and Wendell Brown at Esquire.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
I usually think about what I’m doing that day. Even if I have to dress formally, I always take comfort into consideration. I’ve always been sensitive to uncomfortable fabrics; when I was little, my mom couldn’t get me out of sweatpants — the kind with the elastic cuffs! :-)
What is your biggest regret?
I try not to have regrets. It’s about looking forward, not back.
The three essential things a man should know about style are...
Find a good stylist (or an honest friend), a good tailor, and a good barber doesn’t hurt, either!
We will never see you wearing...
Never say never. But right now it’s linen.
The most stylish person you have ever seen...
Taylor Tomasi. I LOVE her style!
What is the first thing you notice on a man?
His shoes. I’m a sucker for good shoes.
The one image that defined your approach to style...
Well, during my childhood, Madonna was always an inspiration. I saw The Virgin Tour when I was eight and it still sticks in my head. Um, hello: Gaultier, Madonna, a bed?
Which new designers do you follow and why?
Prabal Gurung. We went to Parsons together and I’m just so proud of the success he has achieved.
The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is...
Every article should be carefully considered. Fit is so essential to make an outfit successful. Make sure each and every garment fits perfectly.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
My 3.1 Phillip Lim v-neck tees — I can’t live without them, really.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
See the above question regarding comfort. Of course not. Even with black tie dressing, you can always achieve an impeccable look while remaining comfortable.
Which designer never fails to impress you?
Dries Van Noten.
Who would you like to see next in My style?
Hanuk.
The best word of advice you have ever heard?
Coco Chanel’s classic, “Always take off the last thing you put on”.
