THE JOURNAL

All photographs by Ms Suzanne Middlemas
To some, fashion is art. For others, it categorically is not. Whatever your thoughts on the subject, there comes a time but once a year when the style scene’s symbiotic relationship with the art world is more intelligible than ever: Frieze London. This year, the annual art fair held in Regent’s Park has many sights to behold: Mr Sterling Ruby’s radiant canvases, Ms Tracey Emin’s gobby neon proverbs and, over at Frieze Masters, the last Botticelli in private hands (and on the block for a cool $30m) to name but a few. Our attention, however, was diverted elsewhere: to the clothes. These are the best-dressed gents that caught our eye.
01.
Pass with flying colours

If the presence of golden leaves on the ground hadn’t clued you in, autumn has well and truly arrived in London, which is good news for those of us with a fondness for corduroy. This gent clearly counts himself among our number and has opted for head-to-toe cerulean blue, grounded with adidas Gazelle sneakers (note the switched-out neon laces and the hint of a matching sock). Unorthodox, perhaps, but then that’s exactly what Frieze is for.
02.
Iron out the wrinkles

We’re not sure where this man is off to, with both a battered suitcase and tote bag in tow, but boy, do we want to follow his lead. The fact that his navy chore jacket and shirt are ever-so-slightly dishevelled – as artistic types often are – works in his favour, providing a foil to his fresh white trousers. Like the dapper man above, he’s also swapped the laces on one of his split-toe Derby shoes to coordinate with the flash of a crimson sock. We think they might be onto something…
03.
Size up

We grant you, there’s nothing particularly revolutionary about this look. A beige Burberry trench coat, navy pinstripe suit and a crisp white shirt will always be in style, but it’s the thoughtful consideration of cut (and the addition of box-fresh Vans sneakers) that singles this gent out. The suit itself is generously tailored, but not too boxy, and he’s wisely opted for a mac in a size up – the best way to ensure your coat doesn’t look bulky over the top of tailoring.
04.
Go hell for leather

Like double denim, an all-leather look is one of the trickiest sartorial feats out there. The key, as with all such daring ensembles, is to approach it with the same nonchalance you would a pair of jeans and a tee, which this gent has clearly discerned. A simple black tee anchors the whole thing, while a few choice accessories – a beaded bracelet, a couple of signet rings and a sizeable belt – give an overall Western vibe that, thanks to Mr Quentin Tarantino and Lil Nas X, feels very relevant right now.
05.
Check this out

Great style is all about mastering contrasts: high-low, old-new and so on. Traditional Black Watch tartan isn’t the most obvious choice to pair with Balenciaga’s Triple S sneakers, but herein lies the genius. In addition to the stompy kicks, the sweeping raincoat also amps up the technical element and was a very sensible choice considering the heavens were threatening to open all day. If you’re over the age of 25 and have been tentatively pondering how to work ugly sneakers into your repertoire, this is how to do it.