To call Nick Wooster a style legend is an understatement. It’s not a crown he wears well but the fact is Nickelson Wooster, to give him his full title is without doubt a menswear guru. In the many style and fashion interviews he’s given he is quick to shrug off any idea he is anything more than an ordinary man that loves clothes. The fact remains since the explosion of street style, fashion blogs and social media Nick Wooster has been catapulted into the forefront of men’s minds as a reference point for their sartorial choices. 

If you don’t know him by name or even by sight, the visual merchandiser of your favourite store will, the buyer that picks what you’ll be wearing before you’ve even thought of it, and without doubt the blogger clamouring to find the next big thing most certainly will. 

I’ve posted about Mr Wooster’s style and sartorial grace on more than one occasion. Staring back in November last year, then during Men’s Fashion Week in June, then most recently in a fashion showdown against Ben de Lisi just at the end of July. It was almost unfair to pitch Ben against Nick, the public were unanimous. Nick totally wore the look better. 

Not only am I glad that instantly you the readers saw Nick as the winner in the showdown, but also that I posted it. Through the wonder of Twitter I became a blip on Nick’s radar. After being followed both there and here by the good man, I cheekily asked if he wouldn’t mind answering a couple of questions. The gent that he his, he instantly said yes despite his schedule practically exploding in transatlantic flights and rushed diaries. I’d hoped to develop the emails as more of a chat, and perhaps from here on out they may go that way. But you must be appreciative of other people’s schedules. Who knows maybe more chats/emails will follow?

Having answered my questions Nick was barely unpacking from a set of London meetings before stepping aboard another plane to LA. The trouble with landing an interview from someone you genuinely admire is what the hell do you ask? Desperate not to sound like a groupie (which in case you hadn’t noticed I kinda am), desperate to sound original, even more desperate to be even half as cool as the person on the receiving end of the email, you rack your brains for the best questions. Not too cheesy, not too sycophantic, and definitely not sounding like a complete twat. Hey you want this person to write back after all. So after probably too short a time I fired off my questions, like I said I wanted them to be a launch pad, but thankfully Nick wrote back and here’s what he had to say. 

Bainser: Your style is often described as classic with a twist and you’ve said before it was helped in part because you had a good grounding in the basics. Once someone has got these down but possibly can’t get away with a camo tailored jacket in their office, how would you recommend they bring their wardrobe to life? 

Nick Wooster:

Start with color.  I am a huge fan of grey or navy with a bright color--it could come in the form of a tie, pocket square, belt, socks, or shirt…just not all at the same time.  Or get a camo tie.  Small gestures can produce big results.

B: What are your styling tips for AW11? Myself and a couple of friends were debating the merits of the whole jeans into military boots look. I’m still a fan if done right, but others felt it was starting to get a bit too boyband-y.

NW:  I can’t say that I have any real styling tips…If something doesn’t feel natural, chances are it will look contrived.  I much prefer a short cropped pant, or a rolled pant to a tucked in one—but that is just me.

B: - This is something I’ve always said and it’s great to have it reiterated. No matter what you wear it has to feel right, it has to feel like you. This isn’t an excuse not to push your sartorial boundaries, but trying too hard can be worse than not trying at all!! 

B: Which menswear designers do you think are going to lead the way this Autumn?

NW: I think Visvim is the most interesting brand out there.  It is as special as Hermes.  I also loved Junya Watanabe, Balmain, Neil Barrett, Burberry Prorsum and the five pound handknit cashmere sweaters from Raif Adelberg. 

B: If you could never see a particular fashion faux pas again, which one would it be? Personally I hate to see men or women in a full suit but with sports trainers! With women buy someone decent flats and with men..well we have loads of great shoes there’s no excuse! 

NW: Footwear is probably the single biggest mistake most guys make.  You can get away with a lot less on top, if the shoes are killer. It always boils down to the shoes.  I would invest in a great pair of boots and skip the sneakers.  Or a washed and worn pair of brogues or double monkstraps from O’Keeffe—they are some of the coolest shoes out there for the season.  Every guy should own a pair of Trickers.

B:- Ok so not all of these are in everyone’s budget but a quickly google will tell you the directions you should be heading in. Think of classic shoes like a great foundation to build the rest of your look on

B: What’s coming next for Nickelson Wooster? 

NW: I am doing two projects right now.  I am working as a fashion consultant for Gilt Groupe on both Gilt Man and the new full price site, Park and Bond, which launches next week (B: Unfortunately these sites only ship to the USA at the moment. Here’s hoping this will change).  I am also working with the Project Tradeshow curating brands and items that I think will be important for next spring.  It will debut in Las Vegas August 22.  In fact I am going to Los Angeles tomorrow to scout some more cool stuff.

B: What’s your favourite season for menswear? 

NW: It is always fall.  There are so many more options.  But nothing beats a great swim suit [Orelbar Brown or Chuc’s Dive Shop] at the beach 

B:- Wont disagree with the Orelbar Brown love, and am now hunting down some suppliers for Chuc in the UK.

B: With all the travelling you do, how do you ensure you arrive looking crisp? 

NW: I always wear a jacket and tie…I just keep the tie loose.  The bottom is always casual, the top is always dressed up. 

So there you have it, Autumn there’s no excuse for us guys looking bad, sort your shoes out, and get decent swim shorts. I’m really looking forward to seeing what Nick will do next. 

I’d hoped to chat more with him about his incredible tattoos. Having had more than one myself and planning my first shoulder/half sleeve piece I’d love to know more about his pieces. They’re amazing to say the least. 

Photo credits: Photos from Tommy Ton to the Style Blogger have helped on this post.