My Style: Jahn Hall
Photo: Justin Bridges — Courtesy of Jahn Hall
A man should always look like...
Himself. I’m confused by those who live and breathe one trend only to suddenly change it up completely once fashion dictates otherwise. It’s disingenuous.
Please describe your style in three words.
Keep it simple.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Forgetting your pants.
Do you believe in role models?
Sure.
What are your favourite fabrics?
Wool, camel hair, angora, and just about anything else that comes from our furry friends. Outside that, I appreciate the way labels like Outlier and George McCracken infuse super-technical fabrics into clothes that don’t immediately read 'technical'.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
Flip-flops and concrete unless you’re sneaking out to grab the paper.
Which city has the best-dressed men?
I haven’t been to all of them yet, but from what I can tell, every city boasts well-dressed men, and every city plays host to their fair share of offenders in flip-flops.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
Classic shapes, bold colours, patterns, and textures.
What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?
I’ll try just about anything once.
Celebrities and style...
Don’t always play well together.
One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
A great bag.
Who taught you what you know about style?
Post-World War 2 Hollywood. I came to the U.S. in the late’70s, wanting nothing more than to feel 'American'. Marlon Brando, Steve McQueen, and others were about as American as I could aspire to.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
I tend to adopt a seasonal uniform and stick to that. I don’t want to have to think about what I put on each day.
Your biggest regret is...
I don’t know you well enough to share that with you.
The three essential things a man should know about style are...
I’ll be sure to let you know once I’ve figured them out myself.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
None. Wait. Does the sale rack count?
We will never see you wearing...
Flip-flops on concrete.
The most stylish person you have ever seen...
My grandfathers both owned their sense of distinct style. People today dress like their friends, their idols, advertisements, anything really to fit in and gain acceptance from their peers. That’s not style.
What is the first thing you notice on a man?
Whether or not he’s wearing the clothes, or the clothes are wearing him.
The one image that defined your approach to style...
The one looking back at me in the mirror. If I look like an idiot, I’ll take it off and try something else.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
There are a ton of brands and designers I admire. I’ve already mentioned Outlier and George McCracken, who both approach getting dressed in a uniquely modern way. I’m also a huge fan of Kapital, which isn’t certainly new but is finally gaining traction with a larger audience in the States. Feit also puts out a fantastic product and has done a bang-up job influencing the way things are produced, the way we shop, and the way we get dressed.
The only article of clothing that a man needs to pay close attention to is...
Start at the bottom and work your way up. A great pair of shoes should be among your first big investments.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
Since we’re on the topic of shoes, I’ll call out my Alden cordovan bluchers I picked up on Madison Avenue during my first trip to New York City in 1995. I wore them again yesterday and imagine they’ve got another two decades of wear in them.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
Nope. Trends are the enemy of style, and sweats. Comfortable as they are, they are to be reserved for quiet nights at home and the gym.
Which designer never fails to impress you?
Everyone fucks up at some point.
Who would you like to see next in My Style?
I’d love to hear what George McCracken has to say about style. I’m also a huge fan of women who make men’s wear their own. Women like Mariah Kunkel from Quite Continental or Susan Herr from DapperQ who approach menswear from the challenges faced by the butch-queer community.
The best word of advice you have ever heard?
More quote than advice, but it’s certainly fitting. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said that, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
