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My interview in the Norwegian newspaper VG / MinMote

  • By nick
  • 22/04/2021
  • 0 Comments

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.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nick / Slower Menswear (@welldresseddad)

How would you describe your style?

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.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nick / Slower Menswear (@welldresseddad)

What is your best secondhand or vintage buy?

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.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nick / Slower Menswear (@welldresseddad)

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.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nick / Slower Menswear (@welldresseddad)

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.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nick / Slower Menswear (@welldresseddad)

What do style and clothes mean to you?

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.

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Just loitering with my mini-me. Just loitering with my mini-me.
Today I had to wear a hat. Not that there was a le Today I had to wear a hat. Not that there was a legal requirement, nor a brim-grabbing hat dude reunion in town, heck, the temperature was even clearly on the chilly side and an Elmer Fudd-style hunting hat would have made more sense. Yes, but no but, you see I was all fired up by an article in the Norwegian @d2magasin about hats being the province of swagless and bald ancient men and having only been cool for young blades when Run DMC started. Oddly though, they only rapped about their shoes, never their hats, something they likely regret in retrospect, as it’s great for rhyming.

Now, admittedly I only took up the hats some years back, and I'm a little past my teens, but I strongly disagree with the premise that it's impossible to wear a hat. It just takes some gumption, some confidence, and the right hat. When I started out I'd feel very self-conscious, surely everyone is clocking the dork with the utterly inappropriate fedora? Experience has shown though that we have nothing to fear but our self-consciousness, and that dissipates after roughly 15 minutes. After that, it's golden, you can adjust your cocky headwear to a more rakish angle and cock your snoot at your uncovered brethren. Or even those wearing the most hapless of headwear, the beanie…

So, @kempern, I challenge you to hat up! 🤗

Wearing @cordingsofpiccadilly @bucktrout @peregrineuk @mayserhats @1stpatrn 

@petitgas1857 @tomsmarte
A lovely sunny Saturday. Took Pixie to town, as sh A lovely sunny Saturday. Took Pixie to town, as she wanted to check out the sales.

Harris Tweed @bucktrout 

Photo credit @elli2u
Can I fly? Can I fly?
To everyone asking about more Wintery photos, this To everyone asking about more Wintery photos, this is for you. Another icy, cold morning and Sunday walkies by the sea. 

Sneaky Pixie photobombed me and shattered the Shackleton illusion I had aimed for! And Rupert demonstrated the skills that made a Corgi the first dog to conquer Everest (not many know that, so pop that in your quiz pipe for later!). 

Main photo cred @elli2u
It's not often I have a garment where the supply c It's not often I have a garment where the supply chain is as documented and known as it is for this duffle coat. The wool is from Herdwich sheep belonging to James the @herdyshepherd1, with Maria at @dodgson_wood in the Lake District handling the process of wool being spun into yarn. The yarn was then woven by Sam on her vintage Hattersley loom at @woveninthebone in Buckie in the North of  Scotland, before the finished fabric was sent off to be made into a coat in North-East London and finally arrived home with Paul and Sarah in the @sehkelly HQ hidden behind a wall in Shoreditch, London. It's quite a special feeling knowing this!

You can hear both Sam and Paul on episodes of Garmology podcast as well! 

The Fairisle is by @harleyofscotland in collaboration with the lovely @assemblyshop
Someone recently described my outfits as "maximali Someone recently described my outfits as "maximalist". I'm pretty sure it was meant in a laudatory way, and not disrespecting my ability to get dressed in the morning. Heck, who knows, though? My response, unuttered at the time, as naturally, all the best retorts come to you at 3 am, when the moment has well and truly passed is: "If a picture is to be worth a thousand words, you have to use more than one colour of paint, bro.". Now that it's typed out though, maybe it sounded better in my mind.

In any case, if maximalism requires bells, whistles and the kitchen sink, I at least added a whistle to the already pin-laden @gloverall "1951" duffle from a few years back. I could really use some small brass cowbells though, as everyone knows we can't possibly have too many cowbells, right?

Duffle @gloverall 
Submariner @northseaclothing 
Harris tweed @bucktrout 
Boots @josephcheaney 
Opticals @bantonframeworks
There is a movement within menswear that attempts There is a movement within menswear that attempts to mirror local meteorological phenomena in their outfits. A micro-climate camouflage, some say. Others sarcastically deride it as sucking up to Mother Nature by copying the seasonal colours. Whichever way you look at it, it could be the next big thing.

You’ll also notice that my shoot director was not paying attention, and I might as well dress myself 🤷🏻‍♂️

Dufflecoat by @woveninthebone and @sehkelly
After a total slushfest the past two weeks, we're After a total slushfest the past two weeks, we're finally back to a nice snow cover again. If nothing else, it makes a nice change! And an opportunity to wear my lovely Duckfeet boots. They're not the easiest to base an outfit on, if that is a concern, as they are distinctive and different. And while I’m about to get critical here, believe me, I’m totally a fan of Duckfeet! 🦆

I'm a little conflicted about Duckfeet (and I actually love Marmite, if that reference makes sense to you), but it's not the design that bugs me, as that is great. The leather outer, fur lining and craftsmanship are also excellent. They're comfy and warm, as Winter use requires. The shape is really great for the foot to naturally splay out. My problem is the crepe soles, which have three problems: They're not all that grippy or uncomfortable, as they are quite thin and almost flat underneath, they're stiff, as the rear sole has little flex and finally, natural rubber crepe soles really don't last that many years and definitely fewer than the rest of the boot has the potential to last. 

Granted, Duckfeet offers a resoling service, and regular cobblers can also change the sole, but that'll cost around a third to half the initial cost to do. If they'd had a rubber Vibram sole to start with, you'd get at least 10 years out of them to start with. Oh, I almost forgot, the sizing is broken, you need a size larger than you usually use.

Oh, and another wish, wouldn't it be cool if the very Danish Duckfeet were actually made in Denmark?

@duckfeet
I had planned to add lots of little details to thi I had planned to add lots of little details to this outfit. A cheeky pocket square, a statement hat, a pin or two to pique interest, a tidy tie-clip, earnest gold earrings, spectacular spectacles, hands heavy with limpet-like rings and more. Clearly, though, I forgot them all, my mind overriding the maximalist need for bells, whistles, alphorns, kazoos and nose flutes, which is probably for the best. In the face of options, it is human nature to tick as many boxes as possible, to extract maximum value for money. 

Oddly though, when asked to select one option from many, the greater the possibilities the harder it gets to decide which one is the best. This can often happen when struggling to select a garment from many similar. A good tip in this case? Bubble-sorting. Starting at one end, hold up two at a time, if the order is correct, leave them. If the order is wrong, swap places. Move one item along and repeat. Keep repeating from the start until the rack is fully sorted. This is also handy for determining which items to get rid of: Hold up two, keep one. Repeat. 

In this outfit though, I think I got decent value from a minimalist approach. Strong single components with no fiddly details. Not at all like what is going on in Florence at the moment (sorry, I had to sneak that in).
A few keen garment gazers messaged me to ask for m A few keen garment gazers messaged me to ask for more details on the waistcoat, and yes, it's a hard one to find. I made out of an old pair of army fatigues, reusing almost every little bit of them, from pockets, fly buttons and most of the fabric. I think I wrote about it on the blog way back, you could try searching. In any case, here are the front and rear shots as well.
Today I am feeling a little green. Not in a seasic Today I am feeling a little green. Not in a seasick or Kermit the Frog way, but maybe more of a "Winter feels kind of over, roll on Spring" way. I do this every year, the first glimmer of Spring and I'm mentally months ahead. Even if like now, it's the middle of January and by any glimmer of logic, not to mention the science of meteorology, we're due half a dozen cycles of snow, slush, ice and that kind of rain that feels like icy needles against your skin. 

Still, green is the theme and I'm all in.
I confess that when it comes to denim I'm firmly i I confess that when it comes to denim I'm firmly in the nerdy camp. It's not just about wearing a pair of jeans, there has to be something more, and most usually this means the denim fabric itself. I'm not very fussy about the fit, as long as they have the perfect high rise, narrow legs and are very nicely crafted. The denim though has to have character, which usually means it comes off a shuttle loom in Japan. There is a lot of denim being made now that is perfectly smoothly woven and coloured using eco-friendly dye processes, available in huge, wide rolls to make many jeans from, but there's not really anything to pique the interest.

Oddly, as much as I nerd about jeans, I'm not in the crew that just loves to see the wear develop. To me, the best denim day is when you first get them, crisp and blue, stiff like cardboard and comfortingly solid.

PS: How is it possible that stretchy denim is actually increasing in use now? Hasn't anyone gotten the message about it being disastrous for the environment? While pure cotton denim will rot over time, the elastane will stay forever. Swipe to see what a pair of stretchy jeans looks like after some years in the ground.
If you lent an ear to the most recent podcast, the If you lent an ear to the most recent podcast, the enthusiastically named "festive edition", you may have noticed I waxed lyrical about a new fishing vest I'd added to my collection and how much I enjoyed the name behind it. I realise this is a case of painfully delayed gratification, but here is the vest mentioned in all its pockettastic glory. 

It's a collaboration between Snowpeak (good name) and Toned Trout (fantastic name!). I'm totally fascinated by words, their meanings and how they are combined, so coming up with something as genius as Toned Trout fills me with joy. 

Imagine the setting where they have decided their fishing gear brand must be named something Trout-related, and the combinations they must have discussed before settling on the final choice. Pure genius. 

One word of warning though: Much as you may feel compelled to refer to your better half by this moniker as she leaves for the gym, please do not. Or at the very least don't blame "some dude in Norway". OK?
Apparently, I'm considered award-winning in the se Apparently, I'm considered award-winning in the segment "middle-aged man looking sternly into the camera with a look of abject judgement". I never even knew there were awards for this, but if there is a Rule 34, then I'm not at all surprised that there are communities that find pleasure in being judged by strangers. It's a weird old world in multifarious and splendid ways. I'll just have to accept that this is my legacy and hope someone explains it fully on my Wikipedia page.
I was lying awake last night, my brain fizzling wi I was lying awake last night, my brain fizzling with this and that, when I had an idea or two for what I'll occasionally describe as a "cute little outfit". I've been wanting to do something with this interesting fishing vest, but the result is more of a homage to one of my favourite books: "Danny, the champion of the world". Ostensibly a children's book, it's also a grand tale of ingenuity, friendship, sadness, country living, social class, and living differently. And naturally a cracking tale as well. Hence the "gamekeeper turned poacher" look today.
Sometimes I'm really struck by the difference betw Sometimes I'm really struck by the difference between things that are made to a specification and things that are made to a price. These plus-fours are an example of the former, as made by the tailors at @campbellsofbeauly . They make workwear for workers on Scottish estates, where the workers get a jacket and two pairs of trousers a year. This traditional tweed outfit is their outfit for working outside in all conditions. This isn't prancewear, it's solidly made to last.

Compared to the more common fashion garments that are made to a cost, and let me be clear that that means down to a cost, pennies cut where they can be. These garments have the primary purpose of making it past the till, whether they are used and enjoyed for a week or a decade makes little difference. Well, apart from the latter clearly being faulty goods, as it's poor business to make anything that lasts too long...
I was feeling a bit stuck for a witty and insightf I was feeling a bit stuck for a witty and insightful caption here, so I asked the resident artificial intelligence at Garmology HQ the question «Are hoods required for men?»

The sentient digital being replied:

«Hoods are not generally required for men. They are a type of clothing that people may choose to wear for various reasons, such as to protect their head from the elements or to provide warmth, but they are not generally considered a necessary piece of clothing. Some men may prefer to wear hoods as part of their personal style, while others may only wear them in certain situations, such as when participating in sports or outdoor activities. Ultimately, the decision to wear a hood is a personal one and is not dictated by any specific rules or requirements.»
One of the sad aspects of social media is the tran One of the sad aspects of social media is the transient nature of the information. The work put into creating «digital content» has a life span of days, if not hours, before it’s reduced to redundant data in a distant data centre somewhere. Kind of sad, once you reflect on it, and hence here are 10 repeat performances courtesy of the elves at Garmology towers.
A bit of warmt in the air had me thinking of style A bit of warmt in the air had me thinking of styles that don’t include huge jackets. Swipe for wry smile.
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