My Style: Oliver Spencer
Photo: Courtesy of Oliver Spencer
The one image that defined your approach to style...
It’s really that image of Paul Weller walking out of that hotel in the ‘80s when he’s thrown his green parka out of the window and all of the Scooter Boys are outside, the French Mod era.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Not to consider one’s footwear.
Do you believe in role models?
Yes.
What are your favourite fabrics?
Herringbone of any type, form, or manner; Pima cotton.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
Baggy shirts worn with wide-leg trousers and pointy shoes.
Which city has the best-dressed men?
London, London, and London; Soho.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
I’m conservatively bold in what I wear.
What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?
Essentially, when I am working on a collection, it’s black or navy trousers. I find myself to be a lot freer in the way I dress when I am not doing collections as I am so busy working.
Celebrities and style...
Don’t go together. They generally need a little help from a stylist.
One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
Shoes, shoes, and more shoes. A man should always consider the footwear.
Who taught you what you know about style?
A certain amount of it is intuitive, and then there are people that influence you.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
With great difficulty at the moment, a pair of trousers, a bomber jacket with a jumper, depending on the weather.
Your biggest regret is...
I don’t have any big regrets really. I don’t believe in them.
The three essential things a man should know about style are...
Being eclectic. Great shoes. Less is more.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
Funnily enough, I go shopping when I’m abroad. I shop when I travel. I do really enjoy shopping in Liberty London.
We will never see you wearing...
Flared trousers.
The most stylish person you have ever seen...
William Gilchrist.
What is the first thing you notice on a man?
His shoes.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
Cathal McAteer from Folk.
What are the most treasured items in your wardrobe?
An Anderson and Sheppard suit; it was my granddad’s.
Is comfort an enemy of style?
Not if it’s well-designed, no.
Which designer never fails to impress you?
Dries Van Noten.
Who would you like to see next in My Style?
Lou Dalton.
The best word of advice you have ever heard?
Be bold, or don’t bother.
