I once was a kid that wore trainers with my laces tied very loosely in big hoops, Tracksuit bottoms sagging halfway down my arse and a big hoody with a new era cap. Nothing wrong with that….until you reach a certain age and you grow out of it. When this occurs it is usually referred to as a maturation of style.

I began experimenting by jacking shirts and blouses out of my dads closet, strangely to his delight. He was deeply unhappy with the way I dressed and thought only hoodlums dressed in such manner. I had no real fashion guidance at that time and men’s style blogs weren’t really widely available on the three w’s.

I started to let go of the whole tracksuit and trainers look and started developing my own style. To be honest that whole look was never me. You must also keep in account that it isn’t really socially acceptable to defer from the usual standards of dress for a black boy in the UK. A tapered trouser would result in a side eye from peers, but I came into my own and to this day I dismiss unfounded criticism. Me moving to Amsterdam somehow liberated me style wise, as people here are slightly more laid back and less judgemental.

Fast forward to the day of today and my style is a mixture of many influences and cultures. I haven’t had the chance to showcase my wardrobe to the extent that I would want to, but let me use to opportunity try to spark your imagination by the power of word and photography.

I now own to my own admission a staggering amount of shirts, I jacked most of them out of my dad’s closet. And since I never participated in the whole sneaker/street wear culture I don’t own a lot of sneakers but a fair amount of vans and shoes. I don’t own half of the wardrobe that I would want to but that goes for everyone right? I will entail my wants in the “Wardrobe Wants” posts, so you will all stay up to date with my findings and fashion desires.

I believe all men should take interest in the “finer” clothes, it doesn’t have to be expensive, my most loved items are the cheapest ones. Its all about spotting that bargain that’s worth it, dont waste your money on a piece of clothing only because its cheap. A great tip I learned from JP a good friend of mine with exquisite style is “Never buy something because it goes well with a particular outfit, buy a piece on its individual merits”. Genius right, If you buy a piece of clothing because it might look good under that yellow shirt, you’re very likely to purchase something that might not agree with the rest of your wardrobe.

Moving to Amsterdam means I don’t get to see my dad as much as I would like to and I don’t get to raid his closet as much either. The funniest thing happened when I saw my dad after 6 months or so. He commended me on the outfit I had on, which stunned me, but at the same time affirmed the maturation of my style. Every man has to grow up sometime even if that’s only displayed by your style. Furthermore, please don’t let people fool you or copy hype, do your thing and wear what you like. You will only feel happy in the clothes your comfortable in.

I added a few photos below of some of my favourite pieces, they’re all relatively basic bar my piece the resistance which most definitely is my Ralph Lauren tie with the all over polo print!

Picture 1:
Scarf i picked up at a vintage shop in Amsterdam. €5
Ralph Lauren Tie picked up in London. €3
My dad’s discarded scarf

Picture 2:
H&M Slimfit Trousers. €18
Dad’s old shirt

Picture 3:
Cashmere Scarf from the Dubai (present)
Basic H&M T-shirt €4.95
Wool Jumper €9
My dads shirt purchased 1989 but now mine