3 Hits, 3 Misses: Lessons from My Style Evolution

Looking back at your past outfits is like flipping through old photos—some moments bring pride, while others teach valuable lessons (How the heck I could wear….this?!). In this post, I’m revisiting three outfits that have stood the test of time and three that missed the mark. From timeless styling choices to experiments gone wrong, this is a reflection on my evolving style journey and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Let’s dive into what worked, what didn’t, and why both are essential to building a lasting wardrobe.

3 things I’d wear instantly again and again

This outfit created for photoshooting of review my Berg & Berg raglan coat with Petr I would replicate with pleasure anytime. Ever since that, despite some minor things I dislike at the beginning I wear the coat with increasing pleasure. I love how it stands out (the coat) and that skirt creates sort of dramatic flair.

If I should make it even better I’d go for slightly darker shade of suede brown shoes (but I don’t mind this one either) and think about color of the turtleneck. But it still belongs to the one I’d wear again and again happily.

This might be a bit controversial and I like it. Sure, this post by authority of menswear Simon Crompton, is saying that not all influencers and men of menswear world (mostly formal) would accept Hawaiian shirt with resort collar in their wardrobe. Honestly, when I first pulled it out I was a lot unsure about it. But I felt great and because this shirt by Brooks Brothers isn’t bright coloured (as usual for Hawaiian shirt) but quite muted, I also felt and still feels it works. So my lack for self confidence was mostly about “Oh my, what will others think”. But then I went f**k it. I feel good, I like how it looks, let’s go for it. So it was a bit of inner fight which I am grateful for. And if I wear that again? Let’s wait a bit till it’'s warmer and then it’s a sure thing.

It wouldn’t be me if there is no suit. This is one of the reasons why tailoring is still alive and needs to be still alive. This is revisiting my commission of a flannel suit - something you’d expect someone much older to acquire. But no, my initial idea to have only trousers, quickly changed towards full suit and if I ever doubt during suit production, ever since I took over in The Owners atelier suit in my hands I never looked back. This is something that stood the test of time many times before in the past and will in the future. Look here for the styling - it’s endless. And works as separate as well. Trousers are amazing in colder days and grey blazer looks good with almost any trousers. Way to go.

3 missed marks

I am not against rules such as “no shorts in city” etc. I’m bit more modern in this area, however I still say that linen trousers are not that warmer in summer if they’re at all. But what I don’t like strongly now is the fit/cut. They’re too slim. As my thighs are somewhat larger, I encounter this issue on regular basis meaning RTW (ready-to-wear). But I am quite confident that with my fuller cut gurkha short from Suitsupply or the ones from Purdey (I didn’t show them these to you so far, did I?) this said issue wouldn’t occur. That being laid out, I’d also choose different colour - beige, light brown or navy.

Here if I remember correctly I was trying to prove/show versatility of a flannel jacket. I still like the idea of how I did it: t-shirt underneath, flannel shirt (lightweight, nothing heavy, but structure is still there) combined with chinos. The last part is something I’d hate myself to wear now and it is the cut and fit. They’re too slim. Sure, it was all I had at the moment when it comes to light trousers to fit combination like this, but nowadays I’d do it with either lighter flannel or kept the chinos but in more full cut. (It also looks gimmick as the jacket is definitely not cut slim) Although they may appear too short, they were actually alright, but cotton may gather itself around the knees and it pulls up trousers slightly. But I know what you’re thinking, I’d leave few more centimetres now as well.

Here I need to go deep deep into my blogging beginnings. Basically there were a several issues - when you start building a wardrobe, balancing between dress code you’re trying to preach and using things that you have available, it is extremely challenging. Same like someone who decides forgot their wardrobe and build a new one - but that takes a lot of money, time and thinking. Nevertheless, despite this which could partially excuse me, I had a thing to dressing down something somewhat formal. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, but I had no clue how to do it right. So the lecture here is, I’d never dress down again MTM shirt with formal tie and raincoat with camouflage trousers. Don’t be inspired by it. (Although I have a picture in them for one of my first Gentleman Store photoshooting (below) and they don’t look that bad, or? I’ll leave the opinion to you….)