Much of this blog is made up of pronouncements of my personal style and clothing beliefs as they stand at this moment. Currently, I do try and base a lot of my looks and outfit choices around more conservative trends (as previously mentioned, the Golden Age of Hollywood is a particular source of inspiration for me) and have had my approach to outfits described as “a classic gentleman with a modern twist”. Yet, I must state here, this has not always been the case – indeed, it is only as I have begun to leave my youth (disclosure: I am, at time of writing, a spritely 30 years old) that I’ve found myself naturally gravitating towards these more old fashioned dress styles. Although I betray the old saying that one becomes more conservative politically the older they get, my idea of what clothing I should sport has certainly headed in that direction.


   In complete contrast to my current formal approach to clothes, for a long time I used to gravitate towards the more punk/grunge end of the spectrum. Indeed, in my younger more vulnerable years (which were the best of times, the worst of times), I often ended up looking to members of Alice in Chains for fashion inspiration rather than today where I would instantly turn towards Cary Grant and his ilk – I was young, I played bass and it made more sense at the time to me to favour baggie jeans to pinstripe trousers and comfortable trainers, like Converse or Lakai shoes from Skatehut , over Oxford lace-ups or the like. At the time the thought of wearing a three piece suit was boring or safe but, ultimately, it’s quite apparent I began to understand the joy of a tailored outfit.

   So, even though I’ve completely altered my approach to fashion I’ve got to say I’m not at all embarrassed by any of the clothes I used to sport despite the fact a lot of them are inherently ludicrous (unlike some of my associates who I am sure would be mortified if they were shown pictures of their longer haired, younger selves). In fact, if anything, these two disparate approaches to style both reflect my main, and over-riding, rule which I believe everyone should apply to their style choice – wear what makes you comfortable. Too many people approach clothing with the belief that should only wear things that are “on trend” regardless of whether or not they actually like them and this, to be frank, is the worst conceivable way to engage with style imaginable. So, although I currently don't think I'd go anywhere near a lot of my old sartorial choices, I respect the fact that at the time they were the clothes I was most comfortable wearing and that, to me, is what fashion is all about.

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