Hogtown Rake interview with malesytlepro

Image by seananthonys photography.

We live in a strange time, a time when two guys, total strangers, can “meet” online and then decide to go for a coffee to discuss their love of dressing well. One reason I find that strange is that in my grandfather’s time, many, many men knew it was important to dress well. It wasn’t a matter of discussion. But I’m very thankful we live in this strange time, because it allowed me to meet Earl Rich.

Earl, who goes by the moniker “malestylepro“, immigrated to Toronto in his 20s from England, where he was born and grew up. He’s always been interested in clothes and dressing well, and even worked for a time at Harry Rosen. Recently, Earl decided to channel his life-long passion into a career as a male stylist and consultant and he is primarily building his brand online. Not only is he one of a very few doing this in Toronto, he does it very well.

Why do you like to dress well?
Firstly, thank you for the compliment. I really didn’t connect with dressing until I started going to church at around 10 years old. Sunday was the day that you wore your “Sunday Best”, dress pants, shoes and shirt. I remember having one pair of black shoes, black and navy trousers and 2 white shirts. So these items would alternate each week. On special occasions I would wear a tie. I would notice and admire the guys around me who where really well dressed. They wore nice suits, great shoes and nice ties. They were much older and could probably afford nicer looking garments than I could as a young kid. I remember dreamily looking through catalogues at shirts, trousers and sweaters, putting my Christmas list together. One thing I do recall was how everyone would be planning what to wear to the church convention, when churches from around the region would come together to worship. It was the time of year that you would see a marked improvement in people’s appearance. And the chatter about the best-dressed would continue for weeks thereafter. So by the time I reached mid-teens, I wanted to be ‘the guy’ that people talked about. I wanted to compete and be remembered. There wasn’t a formal competition, but the talk through the grapevine was enough to make you believe there was one. Going to a uniformed school stifled expression through my clothing, so church was my only outlet, plus there was an appreciation and admiration from my peers that fuelled me. Not that I needed to out do myself from week to week, but just to be consistent.

Being a young man, and as I have matured, I have noticed the impact of well coordinated and fitting clothing. People take note, you stand out. Especially when most men around you either don’t take the time to present well, or are really challenged in that area. Fortunately it is something that comes easily to me.

What does the way you dress reveal about who you are?

I dress according to my mood. I see clothing as theatre, it’s just a costume, that you put on and take off. When I wear a topcoat and hat, instantly my posture changes and I conduct myself in a certain manner. I put on jeans, a leather jacket and t-shirt and something else comes out. Plus people treat you differently. I have seen the difference, jeans and runners versus a suit, tie and topcoat. Clothing creates presence, and people do have their biases based on what you wear, positive, or negative.

Image by seananthonys photography.

Is there a difference between what you wear “for work” and what you wear around the house?
At home I wear pretty much what I wore out that day, unless it’s a suit or something dressy. I do tend to change and put those clothes away, in fear of soiling them. I hate getting my clothes dirty. For the most part I’m quite casual around the house. For work, I tend to dress for the occasion or environment. At times casual dress is good, other times a suit is essential and jeans might even be cool, done the right way. I feel it is important to dress appropriate for the person you are going to meet, the occasion and environment. This is why it is especially important to have a variety of clothing options in your wardrobe. Be prepared.

Who is your Style icon?

Hands down James Bond. The character, not the actors. If you watch the films and take note of the scenes, he is always appropriately dressed. When in doubt wear a suit; you always look better.

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What are your top 3 places to shop for men’s clothes in Toronto?
Excellent question and to be honest with you I seldom reveal my sources. But I will say that I am a discount shopper. I don’t need anything, but there are things I like. I can wear off-the-rack, and I have a great tailor who knows how to make the necessary alterations. I am not into the latest of anything, and menswear progresses at a snail’s pace compared to ladies, so I can quite comfortably wait for this season’s collections to go on sale. If I get it great, if I don’t no sleep lost. Here’s a little story: I was in Holt Renfrew’s “Last Call” in Vaughan Mills about 4 years ago when I saw this Admiral inspired sailing jacket. They had a 38 (too tight) and a 42 (a touch too big). 40 would have been perfect, but they didn’t have it. Fast forward 4 years later I find the same jacket in a discount store, in a 40, for a fraction of the “Last Call” price and a whole lot less from the original price. Shop off season, you can save a lot of money.

One piece of advice for the man about to embark on improving his wardrobe.

I subscribe to the 3 Fs: Form, Fit, Fun. It has to be the right form for your body, e.g. a jacket cut a certain way that is flattering for your shape. It has to fit, get it altered where necessary. And you have to have fun and enjoy wearing it. Of most importance, if you are buying off-the-rack, make sure you visit a tailor. The right sleeve length and trouser hems make a world of difference. One last thing, it is better to be over-dressed than under-dressed.