I first stumbled upon Man Of The Cloth when I was searching for the Blue Blood store in Cape Town, and since then it’s become one of my must read websites when it comes to fashion advice. Knowing that it is local and Cape Town based means the content is even more targeted to exactly what I like, and what can be found in Cape Town.
So we threw a couple of questions at Man Of The Cloth author, Marco, and he threw some answers right back at me! Sit down and read this through if you want to know what’s going down in fashion. After you’ve read it, you’re already 35% cooler (As ekke):
Name: Marco Riekstins
Age: 25
Profession: Stylist, Blogger, Capetonian
Lives in: Cape Town
Your average day, broken down…?
An early start and a fresh pot of coffee are essential for blog days. I spend hours reading other blogs and surfing all the social media spots so that I have both content and constant knowledge of what’s going on. After many, many hours I get up and go to gym, have some lunch at Jardine on Bree and walk to Long Street perhaps for inspiration. It all depends on the day.
What attracted you to the fashion world?
I was desperate to be in this new world of fashion that I was introduced to in London. Back then I thought Abercrombie & Fitch was fashionable. When I moved back I got into retail and with free uniform allowances and discounts I started building a wardrobe so that I could be cool like my colleagues.
Your top three best dressed male celebrities, and why you think they are the best dressed…as often being well dressed transcends money and access to major fashion brands…(Confidence etc)
Ryan Reynolds is a fantastic example of Red Carpet coolness. He likes the three-piece combo but it’s always stylish and sleek and his hair is a perfect coiff.
There aren’t many celebrity males who go all out or have a stand out look. Tom Ford would be too easy because he only wears Black with White shirts. It’s his signature. But Johnny Depp is surely one of the men with personal style. He is a Hollywood rebel and manages to look more chic and off-beat than any other celebrity.
My first choice will definitely be Kanye West — but I have strong feelings against him on a personal level. He can be so ego-driven that it puts me off (and I’m sure many others agree). His style is so forward. He showed that rappers don’t have to follow the cookie cutter mould. Something they should have realized years ago. I like Black Eyed Peas style too.
Kanye “I’mma let you finish” West
For a guy in Cape Town, wanting to dress well on a budget, what are your suggestions as to styles to wear, and where to buy clothes?
As far as casual wear I think that Markham and Woolworths are really getting it right for the first time. Country Road and Trenery even more so. Basics are imperative. As long as you wear good basics you can afford to spend time saving for the items that will enhance them.
Then on the other hand, someone comes to you with an unlimited budget for fashion shopping in Cape Town, where are you going to take them, and what are you going to buy?
Burberry, Loading Bay and Blueblood, Paul Smith… there are a couple items at Gucci that are quite nice. But it all depends on who the person is. I wouldn’t take a 52 year old and put him in skinny jeans and low V t-shirt. I could have an awesome time kitting some out though.
Besides Crocs (I hope you agree…!), what are the other things that men should never wear?
I should start a non-profit organisation against Afghan Scarves and Crocs. In fact I started a group on Facebook called the Anti-Crocs movement a long time ago. What’s wrong with a pair of Havaiana’s? My next big DON’T is the white shoes and belt combo. It’s never okay. Sorry. If you’re going to, rather cut it with a brown belt. That works well with All Stars.
Have you got any favourite scents for summer?
Gucci II Summer is a fantastic fragrance. It’s fresh and a little sweet but perfect for Cape Town Summers. I wore Tom Ford for December 07 and it takes me back there every time. My favorite though and the main one I wear is Marc Jacobs. It’s so different and I get a lot of compliments with it.
On that note, what do you think of more floral fragrances (If that the right word to use) for men, such as D&G Light Blue? Are these going to be popular?
Light Blue has been around for a long time though. Their new range is floral inspired but it’s all natural scents and it’s not marketed around flowers and white linen pants- it’s the kind of scent you wear after a shower. Clean is important. You want that after-shower smell. You should really take time trying fragrances and see what suits you. Rather buy one good EDT than a basket of canned deodorant or random fragrances. Also try go for something you wouldn’t normally go for. There are enough men wearing Davidoff, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Issey Miyake. Really.
Mens grooming has come a long way, and pretty much every guy now owns a moisturiser of sorts, often amongst many other men specific products. Have you got a favourite mens grooming range that you’d recommend?
You can’t go wrong with the Nivea for men range. But a guy should ask the counters what is recommended for their own skin. If you have oily skin it’s pointless buying a normal face wash because you’re embarrassed to ask. They will be able to assist you perfectly.
Wet shave vs dry shave debate, where do you stand?
I have a short beard but I keep it neat with a beard trimmer and I cut the edge around my neck where the beard ends and I wet shave the rest. Wet shaves give moisture . I recently had a wet shave at Mr. Cobbs barber and if I didn’t prefer a beard I would go regularly because it’s a treat.
Do you think there will always be a demand for high end designer goods, or do you think with the way the world is going, people are going to start looking towards more personal, local boutique brands?
High-End brands on a local front aren’t going anywhere. And also because some people associate them with success. I like high-end brands but I think the idea is that you can buy something cheap and incorporate it with a high end basic like a good jacket or jeans.
A lot of regular people watch fashion TV and wonder what the point of the runway shows is, because some of the clothing is just so outrageous that no one would ever wear it, what is the real purpose of runway shows?
Designers like Vivienne Westwood and Gaultier are artists and so when their shows open the idea is to WOW and shock people. Besides if you watched a show with just a pair of jeans and a T-shirt there wouldn’t be a reason to keep watching season after season. Many Fashion Houses display their higher -end products for the runway and sell ready-to-wear products in-store.
There always seems to be a ‘look’ in fashion, if someone is aspiring to be a fashion model in Cape Town, what is the ‘look’ right now? I was paging through a British GQ and all the male models seem to be skinny, whereas in SA it seems to be more about the well built look. Do guys need to be lifting weights to get into modelling now?
Our boys are picked up for their natural boy-next door looks. Overseas the big designers tend to use emaciated boys with sunken cheeks and odd looks because they are more high-fashion. They make the clothes more serious. Whereas Dsquared2 and Dolce & Gabanna use sex to sell. And it works. But I think the return of the 90’s male “Adonis” is back. Like David Gandy. The skinny look will probably make it’s way out soon.
I thought the GQ best dressed men awards in SA last year were a little bit narrow minded. Do you have any thoughts on the awards? Any ideas for improvement like maybe more reader involvement?
There were a few obvious choices. But I suppose they were considering the over-all package as well and how successful they were on other levels. With the photo shoots I think a more organic approach could have been taken. Have the top ten in their own environment, favorite coffee shops, on the beach in a suit… wherever! A studio shoot is a bit dull.
When you’re overseas, where are you going to be shopping for clothes?
Harrods, Selfridges, Top Shop, H&M, Harvey Nichols in London. The department stores carry everything you need and they’re full of young stylish staff that will help you choose something modern.
What do you feel about staff service in high end stores in SA compared to overseas? I bought a pair of G-Star jeans at Cavendish and the staff were super helpful and I was just wearing a t-shirt and cargo pants. Then Fabiani in the Waterfront virtually did not offer any help at all when I walked in in the same gear…
When I worked in Harrods a toothless American Hick walked up to me and bought for the entire value of my target. Never underestimate the power of a black Amex. G-star were trained very well. In fact there are a few stores that impress me with their salesmanship but Fabiani I’m afraid to say has to step up. I’ve heard a few similar complaints.
We’re in another pumping summer in Cape Town, what are your summer essentials?
Short-shorts, my sunglasses and as much sun as I can manage to absorb. I’m not too fussed on Summer style in Cape Town because it’s just too hot to dress-up. So I go for the coolest alternatives. Long Vests are in!
Ray Ban Wayfarers, hot or not? Or just too common now?
Erm.. Hard to say because I own an awesome pair of fold-up wayfarers and I can’t part with them. I’d say the basic ones in their vintage design are best. The colourful ones are great for the younger boys and girls. I am trying to find another pair though, and I’m considering just going back to my Aviators. The Persol glasses (Also part of the Luxottica group, the same as Ray-Ban) featured on ‘The Hangover’ are also becoming a great contender.
Marco, one of the most difficult things is keeping up with trends as they come and go so quickly. There is a huge penchant for cheque shirts and Ray Ban Wayfarers at the moment. Do you think it’s worthwhile trying to keep with the trends, or just do your own thing? Inevitably, trends get so overused that you end up looking like just another person in the street. I mean, I personally love a minimalist, classic and confident style. My favourite styles are that of James Dean, Tom Ford, Johnny Depp…again, the confidence factor makes a huge difference in the overall look and feel of an outfit.
I like to get on them early. By the time I’ve worn it enough the trend is in and I can’t safely say I wore them before the craze. Right now I have Desert boots, or for the local “Veldskoen” and you’ll see it from next year a lot. Wear a trend but try not to make it your “look”. Watching what the International scene are wearing on Street style blogs are great because it’s usually months before South Africa catches on.
One of the things I can’t stand for is wearing fake garments and I always say I’d rather wear a real Fossil watch than a fake Rolex, because in the end you’re only fooling yourself. What do you have to say to people buying fakes?
I wear an aviator Fossil that everyone comments on. My brothers own a lot of Tag’s and Breitling watches, one of them owns a Rolex. It doesn’t appeal to me. Not now anyway. No 25 year old earns enough to warrant one. Unless you’re some celebrity. But it’s a status thing sometimes too. I don’t condone the production of fakes at all. Rather wear a simpler design until you can buy a better watch.
How individualistic is the local market when it comes to trends, or are we largely at the mercy of what’s happening overseas and what international designers are making?
Womenswear is clever because the buyers bring over samples from London and New York and produce modern styles for Woolworths and other similar brands. Menswear is a sad throw-back to the Nineties of ill-fitting fuddy duddy styles. They play it safe. But Country Road is awesome.
Favourite local designers?
I really like what Stiaan Louw is doing. I think he’s worth watching. Stiaan is doing a very minimalistic thing and it can only get better from there. Even his campaigns are basic like Marc Jacobs has been doing with Juergen Teller. And he gives his brand a lot of thought.
One of my very worst things in the world is baggy suits! I think Cape Town’s estate agents, and possibly estate agents everywhere are guilty of this. What are your recommendation to anyone buying a suit in Cape Town, are there really good places or even tailors who will make up suits?
Paul Smith and Hugo Boss (Red). Go in, try it on and see what you like. Let the stylist assist you. thats why they’re there. Tell them what you are in the market for and they can get you there. But bespoke suits are available in London and other big cities. Not here yet Im afraid. I know of a few great tailors in Cape Town that can size down garments and it makes a difference! A fitted suit is an amazing contrast to an ill-fitting one.
Does the quality of local garments match up to that of overseas manufacturers? Supporting local is cool, but to be honest the stuff from overseas just happens to be way more awesome. You can walk into Diesel or DSquared and grab pretty much anything and it will be great.
I agree. The quality and the neck finishes are vastly different. I do however love the plain Organic tee’s from Woolworths! JayJays is cheap and are great conceptually like TopShop but the quality is nowhere near it. But we really have to understand that fabric is not as accessible as it is in Europe. A lot of brands get slack for it but it’s not their fault.
Sometimes magazines like GQ feature items at ridiculous prices, like socks for R1500, where do we draw the line where you have to say “Ok, now we’re just being ridiculous”?
At R1500 socks.
I’ve seen photos from your blog and you’re always impeccably dressed, where do you get your fashion sense from?
Thank You, I basically just studied people and men.style.com for two years and immitated as best I could by keeping the details in mind. I really used to be more high-fashion obsessed but now I consider how to compliment my body type and keep to quality and classic style mixed in with newer styles.
Your most outrageous/expensive recent fashion buy?
My Diesel Aviator jacket…. and a pair of Olive green Brogues from Paul Smith.
Men are starting to wear more jewelry and accessories now, what are your essential pieces for guys, without looking too over the top and ridiculous?
A good watch. And simple and clean as possible if you can’t afford more. Plus a quality wallet. You’re too old for velcro.
Denim is always popular, from slightly distressed to destroyed, and then the clean cut look of raw denim. What are the essential denims every guy should own, and are there any particular brands you recommend?
1 pair of slim raw denims with enough length for a turn up. And a distressed pair of medium to light washed denims.
If there is one item of clothing that we should always shell out good cash for, what’s that going to be?
I would say a beautifully constructed and slightly distressed leather jacket, but even a a great blazer would be a good idea.