Dazzler mentioned a white suit he has a few days ago and I said you know you probably won’t wear that suit this Summer, the next time you put on a suit it will be the Autumn. So I said to him let’s do a Style Insider series on you, get inside your style as if your days were pre lockdown.
He is a stylish man that is for sure - never just a suit and jacket, always three piece or double breasted, never forget the pocket square, cuff links with a double cuff is preferred, and a crisp shirt collar is absolutely essential. And the shoes, clean and polished without fail.
Here are four looks that would have been key to his Summer style this season had we not entered our houses and closed the doors for 4 months.
Look 1 - I Wish I Was Going To Lunch At The Ritz
This is a confident suit. When it first came back from the tailors we both laughed and said oh my god no - but it was fast grower and suddenly we loved it. There is something about fashion that should always make you slightly uncomfortable, that you should be pushed outside of your comfort zone and this suit was it. It’s now a firm favourite and lunch at The Ritz is exactly where Dazzler did wear this suit.
All his suits are bespoke, made in Italy by Simon Dowling Bespoke. Simon has his measurements and each time we (I say we, quite often we choose them together but he’s not bad on his own) ask for a new suit to be made we explain the style and look he is going for, select the cloth and Simon does the rest. It’s important to know the look and style - a suit isn’t just a suit. How wide is the leg, cuff or no cuff, how high is the waist, how long is the jacket etc. Tie is E. Marinella, pocket square is Simon Dowling, shoes Pal Zileri. Watch is Faberge.
Look 2 - I Wish I Was in Napa, California.
Dazzler loves a white suit and this is an ode to The Great Gatsby. What a time! When everyone dressed so well, and no accessory was spared. They also loved a glass of champagne. The key to making a white suit pop is a) the right shade of white, slightly off, creamy with a yellow not beige tone. Always choose a coloured shirt, pink, blue or lilac work well. And finally go with a punchy tie.
You would think that a white suit in itself is punchy enough, but you really do need a strong tie to make it work. This summer we would have no doubt made a trip to California at some point and this suit would have travelled with us. Equally it would look great for garden meetings at The Arts Club in Dover Street. Over champagne of course. Tie and pocket square both Harrods, watch IWC, shoes Hield.
Look 3 - I Wish I Was at Glorious Goodwood.
Dazzler is a big fan of a Summer event, he loved Ascot, Goodwood, Henley Festival, Festival of Speed, Monaco, all the zhuzhy stuff. This blue suit is perfect for any of these. Key to pulling the outfit together is the accessories, the tie has to pick out the colour of the suit but it is the small details that count, Simon will switch the colour of the last button hole at the cuff of a jacket, or contrast the lapel button hole.
The shirt cuffs are always monogrammed and the watch is always selected to suit the occasion. It’s the small details that elevate the suit and whole look. Tie is Hermes, pocket square Richard James, shoes are Paul Smith, watch is IWC.
Look 4 - I Wish I Was Going To Wimbledon
A blazer is so key to a stylish man’s wardrobe, and Dazzler likes a double breasted one. Contrast with cream trousers and a cream shirt but really you can switch up this look with so many variations on a theme just by changing the trousers and shirt and building the look from there.
I love this floral tie by Richard James that we bought in Harrods and the pocket square is TM Lewin. Shoes are Otto in Knightsbridge. Watch is IWC.
Robert Walton MBE is Donna Ida Thornton's husband. He is president of the Restaurant Association and founder of The Nth Degree Global plus Chairman of Young Chef Young Waiter. Follow him on Instagram @robertwaltonmbe.
Take a look at our Style Insider with Donna Ida Thornton.