Presently presiding over creative duties at Chester Barrie — where, for the past five years, he’s masterminded a dandyish stylistic renaissance at the 80-year-old British tailoring house — and previously doing a decade’s service as buyer with Ede & Ravenscroft, Christopher Modoo knows his sartorial stuff.
Here, this discerning, dapper individual divulges the tricks, tips and carefully considered menswear prejudices that ensure he steps out in exquisite style. Follow suit, and you soon will too.
10. “For black tie, wear a bow tie. Hand tied. Cummerbunds, wing collars and shirt studs should be approached with extreme caution. Your pocket square, meanwhile, can be chosen with reckless abandon.”
9. “There are some excellent tailors and outfitters in Italy, Paris and New York. But always go to a London tailor for your formal clothing. This is particularly true of morning dress.”
8. “Always long socks and never black.”
7. “If you go to the effort of wearing double cuffs, wear proper double-sided cufflinks.”
6. “The three suits you always need are a grey woollen flannel, a blue ‘Fresco’ worsted and a fancy check. One should be double-breasted and at least one with a vest. Get a second pair of trousers on the grey flannel. Brown matte horn buttons on the blue suit will enable the suit jacket to be worn as a blazer. If your tailor puts blue buttons on your blue suits, consider changing your tailor, but definitely change the buttons.”