I was interviewed for MinMote, the style section of VG, one of the largest newspapers in Norway last weekend. Given the positive feedback and interest shown, I thought I’d share a translation.
The original can be read in MinMote here. And yes, it was pretty strange to be near the top of the front page of a newspaper roughly half the population of the country reads.
Civil engineer and father of six Nick Johannessen (52) has gained international attention for his unique style.
In the column “My Style” we talk to well dressed and inspiring people about clothes and style.
Nick Johannessen, Civil engineer. Father of 4, 2 bonus children.
Now it is Nick Johannessen’s turn. On Instagram, Johannessen, who is a father of four and bonus-dad of two, shares photos of his own style to over 15.000 followers, under the name “Well Dressed Dad”. This has led to him being on “best dressed” lists together with influencers and celebrities in heavyweights such as GQ and Esquire.
I look upon it as a hybrid of classic British, denim, vintage, army, Japanese rugged and a kind of trad-Ivy. A playful mix of everything I like, put together to create something that works for me. Style can be very rigid and many have a strong adherence to a defined style and subculture. It’s fun to pick what you like, mix it up and keep a toe in many style camps. It’s also exciting to challenge yourself a bit, for me using a hat has been an interesting experience. Very self-conscious to start with, but that soon passes and you have something entirely new in your style.
What key items do we find in your wardrobe?
Outerwear is probably the most important piece. Not that an outfit necessarily starts with a jacket, but a jacket is always there and has to have some meaning. A nice tweed jacket or coat, or a worn Barbour; the varieties are endless. Norwegian brands such as Serac and Norwegian rain are doing fine work in making jackets that suit multiple situations. It’s very sad that there is so little in the way of a clothing industry in Norway now.
I buy mainly secondhand and have found a lot of great buys. I would like to buy more vintage, but it is difficult to find things I like and that fit me. Much of what is for sale today is “newer vintage”, a lot of it poor quality and made of synthetic or mixed fibres, in styles that don’t appeal to me. It’s ironic that while people would like to buy vintage to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly, a lot of it is synthetic clothing that releases greater amounts of microplastics the older it becomes. There are huge amounts of clothes in the world that can be reused, but we have a problem in that a lot of what has been made in the past 40 years is of a quality that is not very reusable. Even Fretex (the largest charity in Norway dealing in secondhand clothes), the reuse alibi, is full of low-grade fast fashion priced at near-new prices. Is this a function of what people are actually donating/disposing of, or that it’s impossible to pick decent stuff from the 30 tonnes of clothing waste received every day? The important point is to keep clothes circulating, so from a sustainability point of view, it is better to sell or give them to someone who will continue to use them.
What is at the top of your wishlist at the moment?
A bespoke Savile Row suit in a tweed of the utmost quality, perfectly tailored to fit me, something that could last the rest of my life and usable for both everyday use and special occasions. The likelihood of this happening is negligible, as it’s just too costly, but as an ambition, it’s something to dream of!
Who or what inspires you?
Inspiration can come from various places. It might be knitted vests suddenly gaining attention when a veterinarian from Yorkshire is shoulder deep in a cow or huge trousers worn by Tokyo hipsters. Old photos of motorcyclists competing in Belstaff jackets, or maybe a gangster wearing a hat in the latest Guy Ritchie film. I think it’s mostly the visual that creates feelings I want to recreate. Maybe not so much the cow situation, but a lot of it is an escape. If dressing for purely practical reasons, there are much simpler ways to dress, but if you don’t want the sad car, the boring house or the life without highlights, you can dress larger.
What sustainable choices do you take for your wardrobe?
I avoid synthetic fabrics and fibres as far as possible, prioritising natural fibres and clothes that are made to last and be repaired. If I buy new clothes I prioritise brands I know are operated as ethically and sustainably as possible. Secondhand is a bit easier, but then I’m usually buying forgotten treasures from recent times, or good buys. Socks are an exception, as without any synthetic fibres they just wear out too quickly. Something to keep in mind is that most jeans include elastane for some stretchy comfort, which also contributes to the spread of microplastics. Through the blog and podcast, I cover topics around sustainability and what consumers can do better. It’s a huge and complicated topic though, which many competing agendas and it’s easy to become confused and frustrated about what choices you could and should make.
What trends do you see coming now?
By definition, trends are passing and not very interesting. Quality, natural fibres and timelessness should be trends, though it doesn’t help much when the industry depends on us buying and buying more. Sustainability has been pushed hard as a trend, but there is very little agreement of what exactly it entails or how you prioritise it. It’s not enough to say that you’re buying as much vintage as possible.
What is your fashion soft spot, what are you always looking for?
I always have an eye out for good stuff that would fit into my collection, and that I don’t already have, regardless of whether it’s a jacket, shoes, a shirt or something else. When you already have more than you really need, it’s mainly a bit of sport looking around, rather than covering a need. To make interesting photos for Instagram I also need a few props.
What is your relationship to designer clothes, and how do you decide your next purchase?
What are designer clothes really? The type of high-fashion designer clothes with flashy logos is not something I’m into, both from what they cost and how they look. I have a few quality brands I like and follow over time, but I’m not locked into any and rarely like more than a small part of each collection.
What do we never see you in and why?
Ankle socks, Chelsea boots, big logos, sailing jackets with the collar up, shoes with square toes or very pointy toes.
What is your best fashion tip?
Try before you buy. Buying online with no real possibility to return is a recipe for bad buys. Even though you can compare the sizing to something you already have, there is a big difference to actually trying something on. This goes for both how the garment fits on you and whether it looks good. Another problem is that most of us develop an idea of what we like, and this makes it easy to keep buying the same things again and again. It can be wise to take the time to consider whether you already have something similar already. It is also easy to be led astray by the sneaky influences we are subjected to. You know the one, where you suddenly feel you must have a pair of tartan trousers, but no idea where this feeling comes from? Is it because you see others wearing them? Has it been covered in media or shown on Instagram? Marketing is scientific, efficient and it influences is.
Avoid casual buying that you don’t really care about. 70% discount is the beer goggles of clothes buying, so stay sober.
Something else is to dress for your own pleasure. We all think that everyone around us is observing and judging us, the truth is that most of us have more than enough with judging ourselves, so we spend far too much time and energy on what others may think of us.
How do you maximise your wardrobe without buying anything new?
Buy clothe and colours that fit together and use them in different combinations. The possibilities increase dramatically when most garments can be combines in different ways, while at the same time creating a style that is coherent and yours. Clothes don’t need to be in the same style to work together. An army coat can be combined with tweed trouser and a knitted vest. Different styles and eras, but the colours and fibres work together. Spruce it up with a tie, pins, a hat or a bag.
For me, a lot of what is interesting is in the stories and craft that lie behind garments. Occasionally I risk being a wandering information board. “Oh, strange you should mention this jacket, let me tell you all about it!”. It’s always nice to meet someone that shares an interest. Apart from this, I’ve always had a certain compulsion to share my interests, which has led to the blog, podcast and YouTube channel. This is all mainly about aspects of clothes other than the business side.
Very nice and sympathetic you are, Nick. I absolutely share your ideas about really sustainable clothes and sensible buying. Two thumbs up!
Even if this comes belated, the topic is more up-to-date than ever, as well as timeless fashion and good taste are.
Very nice and sympathetic you are, Nick. I absolutely share your ideas about really sustainable clothes and sensible buying. Two thumbs up!
Even if this comes belated, the topic is more up-to-date than ever, as well as timeless fashion and good taste are.
Thank you!