The Sartorialist

Romney Leader

Job?
Associate Fashion Editor, Style.com

Best Sartorial advice from your parents?
Never be afraid to do your own thing.

Style icons?
Tina Chow, Anita Pallenberg, Iris Apfel

Describe your personal style…
Constantly evolving! I tend to have a favorite piece or silhouette I wear constantly until something else catches my eye. I also hate looking like I put much thought into it or looking too ?done.? Style-wise it?s a mix of everything that?s influenced me aesthetically: growing up in Texas, living and working in New York, and all of the music and cultures I took a liking to in my early years.

I build my daily look around?
Comfort, for sure – and my schedule for the day. If I?m not wearing flats or boots I have a pair close at hand, and even though I hate the cold weather I love the way the right coat adds the finishing touch to a look.

Personal Style quirk?
I nick pants and shirts from my boyfriend?s closet constantly, and I don?t think there?s such a thing as jewelry that?s too chunky.

Favorite designers?
Ann Demeulemeester, Yohji Yamamoto, Martin Margiela?anyone who does their own thing and is effortlessly on point without coming across as overly trendy.

Most cherished item?
My engagement ring and my grandfather?s felt fedora.

Never caught wearing?
Halter tops.

Most underrated item in menswear/womenswear?
The perfectly tailored woven shirt, the slouchy trouser, and the leather biker jacket.

Dress to impress who?
Strangers or my boss?ha?though really it?s my own reflection I?m most after.

Flats or heels?
I?m a huge advocate of flats- I don?t think heels necessarily make you look more put together.

Favorite stores?
Barneys for one-stop; Camden Market or one of the many vintage stores along the Texas highways for treasures, and sample sales?

Your next “must have” purchase?
Ann Demeulemeester lace-up open boots, a Lanvin silk trench, one of the Dries Van Noten metallic ball necklaces, and a pair of those Dolce silk ?pajama? pants.

I skimp when buying …
If I?m test-driving a trend (say, harem pants) I head to Zara. I also cheap out on leggings, scarves, and denim.

I splurge on…
Sweaters, pants, woven shirts- anything that benefits from tailoring and luxe fabrics.

Favorite item of clothing?
Currently: ultra wide-leg cropped pants from 3.1, black Balenciaga sweater that flares out at the sides, and a wool military-inspired vest from Camilla & Marc.

Favorite fashion magazines?
Vogue and Teen Vogue

Favorite (style) books?
I find home d

We’re hitting that time of year when a chunky cardigan is, maybe, all you need for outerwear.

This is the first time I have seen a men’s jacket with a peplum-ish waist detail that looks reasonably normal.

I hate to be on the Italian bandwagon, but really….when Americans do jeans and a jacket it just never (rarely) looks this cool. (Even though he is wearing mostly American brands like Ralph Lauren – or American inspired, the jeans are “Roy Rogers”)

Actually, in GQ I called this look Raphael Lorenzini.

Again, this is not really about price or brand – but fit.

Those jeans are SLIM, the shirt collar high, pocket square prominent, the jacket sleeve very slim and at the perfect length, and the tie at just the right angle of sprezzatura!

I know I am not Italian, and to copy this look too completely would not feel right to me. However, I study images like this and try to figure out what element would make a difference in my wardrobe. From this image I’m reminded to ask for, or look for a jacket with a slimmer sleeve or higher armhole. That one element can make the torso of your jacket look so much slimmer.