My Style: William Hornets Wilde
Photo: Michal Martychowiec — Courtesy of William Hornets Wilde
The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is...
His shirt. A fresh shirt makes you feel good, which means you look good.
Please describe your style in three words.
Classic, elegant, original.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Not to consider.
Do you believe in role models?
Most certainly; choose two or three and take the best from each.
What are your favourite fabrics?
Wool, cotton, and linen.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
Tasteless ones. You decide what taste is.
Which city has the best-dressed men?
Any capital city in the West has well-dressed men in it.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
I'm conservative, but with an iconoclastic dash.
What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?
Only one rule: style.
Celebrities and style...
Is very rarely a good marriage.
One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
A casual jacket.
A man should always look like...
He's dressed with care and it doesn't show.
Who taught you what you know about style?
My eye and senses.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
Depends what I'm doing that day, then I get the combination together.
Your biggest regret is...
Having no regrets. I have no style conscience.
The three essential things a man should know about style are...
To know what suits him, to know his style and to keep to it.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
None. I shop when I want to.
We will never see you wearing...
Anything that is cheap and lacks style.
The most stylish person you have ever seen...
David Niven, who I've met, and the Prince of Wales, who I've seen.
What is the first thing you notice on a man?
His shoes; they tell me a great deal about him.
The one image that defined your approach to style...
The Royal Enclosure, Ascot, in its simplicity.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
I appreciate all designers and admire their initiative. I don't follow them, ever.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
1930s leather motoring coat, Huntsmen tweed jacket and two pairs of George Cleverley shoes.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
Certainly not. It's impossible to have style without comfort. Style makes you feel comfortable.
Which designer never fails to impress you?
They all fail to impress me.
Who would you like to see next in My style?
An original young designer who takes a twist on what is classic and who has style.
The best word of advice you have ever heard?
Rely on your instinct; it's information you have at the back of your head. Any professional in any field relies a great deal on what he feels.
