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