thatsthespot.com Matt Barnes photography blog

Nick Wooster

As the adage goes, when in Rome do as the Romans do - but when Matt is in New York, how is this interpreted? Photograph Nick Wooster, of course! With time being called on the street style phenom, fashion advisor Nick Wooster is rolling up his sleeves (exposing sleeves in the process) and single-handily keeping the ship afloat. Thanks to the Palmer Trading Company, who let us shoot in their wonderful shop and to Klaxon Howl, who provided Nick with a lovely waistcoat from their new collection. A little interview with Nick about style, as well as a few more photos, follow the jump - a subject doesn’t get much more photogenic than this!

DTC: Straight off, what is a fashion adviser? Is it self-anointed? Are you with Gilt et al. a fair bit of the week?

NW: I have no idea what a fashion adviser is…it’s something that we are defining as we go along. Essentially, I work with several team: editorial, creative, merchandising, press and marketing and help out in a variety of capacities. I have made some introductions, curated some sales, acted as a spokesman, styled some shoots, blah blah blah. I am working on a couple of top secret projects as well. I generally spend between 2 - 4 days a week with the teams at GiltMan and Park and Bond. A typical day is never typical…I might start off in Brooklyn at our photo studio styling a sale that I have curated, rush back to the City for a market appointment, go back to Brooklyn for a clinic with our customer services representatives and finish with a dinner. Every day is different.

DTC: How far is what you do now, removed from the straight up retail of your past?

NW: I do and don’t feel removed from brick and mortar stores. I am a huge shopper, so I am always in stores. That will never change. But just like TV didn’t kill the movies, I don’t think that on-line will make a traditional store extinct. I think all of our consuming habits will change. I love shopping on line, any time, anywhere…I feel completely plugged into what is out there from the comfort of my chair. Sometimes, I feel the need to try something on…then I run out and do that. If anything, I feel more connected.

DTC: Does your rising ‘net popularity influence how you dress - does it make you less/more willing to express yourself?

NW: I have no idea what I am going to wear until I hit the shower. The idea of planning anything is abhorrent to me. [Ask my friends and family]. With that said, I guess on some level, I feel some sort of responsibility to always put my A game on. Even as a kid, this was true. I figure, if you work in the business of fashion, you have a duty to always be turned out.

DTC: What are some less traditional sources of inspiration, i.e. those away from clothing?

NW: I am inspired by everything…people watching, living in NY, traveling, art, museums, books, magazines, TV, movies, tumblr…the list goes on and on. There is never not an opportunity to be inspired.

DTC: How did you become the darling of the sartorial blogging world?

NW: It must be a really slow news cycle…Seriously, I have no idea where the interest comes from. I am beyond flattered that people take the time to notice how an old guy dresses. But I am hopeful that it brings attention to the menswear business in general, as more men see that with a minimum of effort, they can truly change how they present themselves to the world.

DTC: How different is weekend-Wooster to work-week-Wooster, in terms of aesthetics?

NW: In my minds eye, they are the same…but I think it’s appropriate to dress for the occasion. If it’s hot out, wear a t shirt. If it’s a job interview, wear a properly fitted suit, with perfect furnishings. I guess the consistent themes are: cut, fit, fabric and color choices. At the end of the day, I think my taste is fairly simple and straightforward. I err on the side of dark and neutral.

DTC: Is there one particular aspect of your wardrobe that is most important to you? Personally, my penchant for tweed and tartan ties has grown so much that my girlfriend looks upon every new acquisition as one would a swarm of locusts, haha.

NW: I guess shoes, jackets and outerwear are the three things that make the most impact…but it’s ALL important, as far as I am concerned.