Monday, June 5, 2006
Glenn O’Brien has been the “The Style Guy” at GQ for years. He has helped countless gentleman define and refine their style. I met Glenn recently and asked him a few questions about his personal style. I have to admit that I have big respect for any guy over 40 who can wear Supreme with Hermes and make it look good.
Best Sartorial advice from your Dad?
I never knew my father but my grandfather said never buy a car you can’t wear your hat in. (He wore a homburg.)
You build your daily look around your?
My mood.
The first thing I look at in another Sartorialist?s outfit.
Shoes and where the trousers meet them.
I skimp when buying.
I like generic white handkerchiefs and Colgate toothpaste.
I splurge when buying.
I have my suits made in London by John Pearse and Anderson & Sheppard.
(note that the suit he is wearing in the photo is a John Pearse navy pintsrtipe denim DB!)
I always break this fashion rule.
GQ says your socks should match your trousers. I think socks should freelance.
I never break this fashion rule.
I religiously wait until Memorial day to bring out the white.
Must have item for Fall 2006
A new “coppola” from Sicily.
Favorite store
Hermes, Supreme
Style icon
Thelonious Monk, James Coburn
Worst fashion mistake
Shirt tail out, not knowing where your waist is.
Most cherished item
My Anderson & Sheppard tuxedo
Favorite item of clothing
John Pearse double breasted pinstripe denim suit.
Favorite ?fashiony? movie
Blow Up
Guilty pleasure
Pasta, Fiorduva white wine from Marisa Cuomo in Furore ($)
Describe your personal style
Moody
You feel best wearing?
Belgian shoes, Supreme jeans, Hermes sweater
Personal Style quirk
When it comes to my feet comfort comes first
Dress to impress who?
Dress to express myself.
Most overrated item in menswear
Leather.
Most underrated item in menswear
The tie.
Most stylish city?
Rome
Never caught wearing?
Basketball shoes
When I was in high school I wore?
Clashing madras
Shine your own shoes?
Half the time.
Hobby?
reading, bridge (when I can find 4)
Sports?
Golf, ping pong
Favorite fashion magazine?
Italian Vogue.
Favorite other magazine?
Purple, Self-Service, Another Man
Cologne, skincare?
Hermes Rocobar, Kiehls, Pat Wexler’s pink goo vs. old age
I always dress my best for?.?
Occasions when my wife has changed her clothes several times before we go out.
Anonymous
June 5, 2006 at 9:00 am
I am quite surprised to seeing him mention Supreme. Although Supreme is huge right now in streetwear fashion I would not think it would be a favorite of his.
argos
June 5, 2006 at 9:09 am
Sart, didn’t you mean fall 06 for the must have item?
I love it that he admits wearing clashing madras in high school.
The Sartorialist
June 5, 2006 at 9:14 am
yes. thanks i did mean ’06
serge
June 5, 2006 at 10:16 am
I really like his column. His personal style is interesting. Also interesting that he doesn’t match his socks to his trousers, even though he tells others they must!!
Natalie
June 5, 2006 at 6:34 pm
The freelancing socks made me chuckle. I’m with him! I wonder how free he lets his socks be.
quigley
June 5, 2006 at 7:16 pm
I’ve always considered the Memorial Day white rule a female thing.
Anonymous
June 6, 2006 at 12:56 am
yeah didnt i see this guy waiting in line for 2 days for those new supreme dunks???? j/k
chaz
June 6, 2006 at 8:08 am
I think it’s odd that someone with such eclectic personal taste dishes out pretty by-the-book advice in his column. I guess you have to follow the rules before you can break ‘em…
Please ask him to model the Supreme jeans. That I cannot picture.
Anonymous
June 6, 2006 at 8:55 pm
I was wondering about the jeans as well. I wonder how he pulls off supreme jeans in a refined way.
Max
June 7, 2006 at 1:29 am
Love the bowtie and most of his advice in “style guy.”
Glenn O'Brien
June 7, 2006 at 2:10 pm
Just to set the record straight, I never said you should match the socks to the trousers, but that it’s better to match the trousers than the shoes, which can give the “booty effect.”
Anonymous
June 11, 2006 at 12:51 am
i like the overcoat