Street Style Phenom Nick Wooster Can Make Your Dude Look Good
New York Fashion Week has officially begun and it won’t be long until eccentric street style types start popping up on your Instagram feed. Don’t be surprised if one of them is professional peacock Nick Wooster. Formerly the men’s fashion director of both Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, Wooster has perfected the art of the strut. Now a consultant with a menswear blog, he was tapped by Cadillac to curate a capsule collection, which includes designers like David Hart and Ernest Alexander. Here, he waxes poetic about the collaboration (which launches today on Gilt.com) and what every man should have in his wardrobe.
Yahoo Style: We’re so excited about the new capsule collection! Tell us a bit about the curation process — with just 15 looks, how did you choose the best of the best?
Nick Wooster: The best thing about menswear right now is that there are so many talented designers working in the field—which also happens to be the hardest thing when trying to put a collection like this together. From the start, the guiding principle was to showcase these nine designers and their unique aesthetics. When I was going through each collection, I was looking for two things: items that reflected that particular designer’s point of view and ones that felt new for this fall, whether it was fabrication or fit.
So many guys want to emulate the Nick Wooster look — was your personal style a template for this collection?
I’m flattered that someone might appreciate what I put on in the morning, but I recognize that that’s not always everyone’s cup of tea. So in approaching this collection, I wanted to speak to a wide range of guys by focusing on pieces that were familiar, but in versions that were anything but run-of-the-mill.
For guys who don’t redo their wardrobes each season, what are the 2-3 items they can buy for an instant update?
Easy. A statement topcoat, a graphic knit sweater, and a razor sharp double-breasted blazer. Classic pieces, but evolved for the modern guy.
What’s the one standout piece from this collection, and how do you recommend guys wear it?
It’s like what people say about choosing their favorite kid—you can’t. If I was pressed to choose one, I’d have to say the PLAC leather bomber. I’d suggest wearing it with a simple black turtleneck and CADET’s cargo pants from the collection, and finished off with a pair of rugged boots. It’s kind of luxe and louche at the same time and feels right for right now.
What’s one thing you wish people would stop wearing?
Look, some guys can pull anything off. That said, I would appreciate it if a large swath of men could move on from those bright, multi-striped baggy button-up shirts worn untucked.
The men’s shows just wrapped with the first ever New York Fashion Week — What trends are you most looking forward to wearing next season?
First of all, I’m looking towards another season of men’s shows in New York. I think it was a great success out of the gate and really put a spotlight on American design talent—including the labels in this collection. As for next season, I’m curious about the new proportions designers are offering up. There was a lot of play with volume that will be interesting to see be translated in stores.
What’s your best advice for guys looking to define their personal style?
Try, fail, and try again. The only real way a guy is going to know what’s right for him is to experiment. Personal style isn’t a set thing—it evolves over time.
Also, congrats on the being named one of Vanity Fairs Best Dressed of 2015. What can we expect from you in 2016?
Thank you. It was a pleasant surprise to say the least. I can’t say I ever have any “master plan” for what’s coming next. I’m very excited to continue designing my collection with Lardini, work on special projects like this one with Cadillac, and, per usual, keep hunting for the best menswear out there.
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