Most stylish New Yorkers: Amado Watson
The performer makes nostalgia look totally modern; we show you how to crib his look.
Thu May 12 2011
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
Watson scored this vintage L.L. Bean windbreaker from a Massachusetts thrift...
Watson scored this vintage L.L. Bean windbreaker from a Massachusetts thrift store for a mere $8. He pairs it with gray sweatpants from American Apparel for what he calls his space-surfer outfit.
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
In keeping with the futuristic theme, Watson straps on his "space...
In keeping with the futuristic theme, Watson straps on his "space pack"---otherwise known as a silver LRG (l-r-g.com) backpack. "I purchased it on planet Nupiter," he jokes. "It has a lot of secret compartments, so I can hide my space guns and my electrobeamer, not to mention it holds everything I would need to take on a trip to Mars."
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
"I love this hat simply because it's my favorite color," admits Watson of his...
"I love this hat simply because it's my favorite color," admits Watson of his official NBA Milwaukee Bucks snapback hat from Cap USA (363 Knickerbocker Ave at Stockholm St, Bushwick, Brooklyn; 718-919-0842). "Can't say I'm familiar with the Milwaukee Bucks, though---sorry."
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
Watson purchased these ruby-red kicks at the Adidas Originals store (136...
Watson purchased these ruby-red kicks at the Adidas Originals store (136 Wooster St between Prince and W Houston Sts; 212-673-0398, shopadidas.com). "They are gravity resistant," he claims. "I can dance, jump, fly, surf and pretty much do anything in these sneakers."
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
Watson kicks off his shoes to reveal striped American Apparel tube socks
Watson kicks off his shoes to reveal striped American Apparel tube socks.
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
"This outfit is my hipster look," confesses Watson, who dons a graphic tee from...
"This outfit is my hipster look," confesses Watson, who dons a graphic tee from Metropolis Vintage with Gap jeans. "The Gap is the only store I will buy my jeans from."
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
As a nod to Michael Jackson, Watson wears Wilsons Leather (wilsonsleather.com)...
As a nod to Michael Jackson, Watson wears Wilsons Leather (wilsonsleather.com) fingerless gloves that he jazzes up with a bike reflector ring. "It's my power ring! I have other colors such as green, red and orange," he notes. "I like to use what I have and make things that symbolize my childhood."
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
Watson adds artistic flair to a basic T-shirt by fastening several dozen safety...
Watson adds artistic flair to a basic T-shirt by fastening several dozen safety pins in a featherlike pattern. "I needed a flashy shirt for a performance, so rather than shop for a new outfit, I made one!" he explains. "The 1970s punk era inspired me to make this shirt."
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
A leather cuff from a Lower East Side biker shop adds edge to Watson's look...
A leather cuff from a Lower East Side biker shop adds edge to Watson's look. "It makes me feel like I'm bad to the bone," he says.
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
"As you see, I'm a man of many hats," acknowledges Watson of his constantly...
"As you see, I'm a man of many hats," acknowledges Watson of his constantly changing headwear. He purchased this gray Penguin fedora from Burlington Coat Factory (locations throughout the city; visit burlingtoncoatfactory.com). "It gets all the girls; I'm constantly rescuing it from beautiful women when I'm in the club."
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
These Converse by John Varvatos boots get Watson through all sorts of inclement...
These Converse by John Varvatos boots get Watson through all sorts of inclement weather. "This was by far the worst winter ever, so I needed a pair of boots to protect my feet; the snow slips right off," he boasts. "They're also great to wear in the rain."
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
Watson sports BDG shorts from Urban Outfitters with a vintage V-neck Giant...
Watson sports BDG shorts from Urban Outfitters with a vintage V-neck Giant sweater to create his "Bel Air preppy-boy look," he says. "It's great to wear while playing golf or taking a walk on the beach."
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
A vibrant, vintage Polo Ralph Lauren jacket serves as a cheerful layer for...
A vibrant, vintage Polo Ralph Lauren jacket serves as a cheerful layer for fickle spring days.
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
Vans boat shoes from DQM (7 E 3rd St between Bowery and Second Ave;...
Vans boat shoes from DQM (7 E 3rd St between Bowery and Second Ave; 212-505-7551, davesqualitymeat.com) complete the preppy outfit.
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
"My summer look is inspired by the '90s---I miss and love the '90s!" laments...
"My summer look is inspired by the '90s---I miss and love the '90s!" laments Watson. He rocks an American Apparel tee depicting musician Sebastien Tellier with vintage Calvin Klein shorts.
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
"I came across this clear bag at a yard sale and just felt the universe united...
"I came across this clear bag at a yard sale and just felt the universe united us together," recalls Watson. "It's full of the things I need to survive, such as glitter, goggles, my SpongeBob Band-Aids, my designer tools and things I use to fight villains with."
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
Comic-inspired socks from Topman (478 Broadway between Broome and Grand Sts;...
Comic-inspired socks from Topman (478 Broadway between Broome and Grand Sts; 212-966-9555, topman.com) enliven basic Converse sneakers.
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
Watson dons another official NBA snapback hat, only this one bears sentimental...
Watson dons another official NBA snapback hat, only this one bears sentimental value. "I wear it for my favorite uncle, who is in love with the Phoenix Suns," he explains.
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
"This is my Cali beach-boy look, inspired by the early '90s and Saved by the...
"This is my Cali beach-boy look, inspired by the early '90s and Saved by the Bell, which is one my favorite shows," Watson says of his vintage Polo Ralph Lauren shorts and Spot Sport windbreaker from Beacon's Closet.
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
Watson swaps out one cartoonish pair of Topman socks for another, this time...
Watson swaps out one cartoonish pair of Topman socks for another, this time dotted with illustrated aliens.
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
"This outfit shows my performer side," muses Watson, specifically referring to...
"This outfit shows my performer side," muses Watson, specifically referring to the Miller Lite T-shirt that he received as a prize for winning a drinking contest. He tops it with a marching-band jacket that was a gift from a friend and cinches his H&M skinny jeans with a belt fashioned from a recycled car seat belt and studded with beer-bottle caps.
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
When Watson first received this jacket, it was completely bare save for the...
When Watson first received this jacket, it was completely bare save for the heart patch. "I felt it needed something," he says. "As I mentioned before, I'm really inspired by cartoon characters, so I wanted to create a jacket that a cartoon character would wear." In order to do so, he Krazy-Glued "a cooking pan full of delicious treats" from Toys "R" Us on the lapels.
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Photograph: Ilenia Martini
Finally, Watson wears a snapback cap for a team he's actually a fan of. "The...
Finally, Watson wears a snapback cap for a team he's actually a fan of. "The Chicago Bulls were one of the greatest teams in the '90s," he declares. "I'm paying homage to Michael Jordan."
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SPIN HIS STYLERMC foldable nylon backpack, $75, at S11 NYC, 145 Orchard St at...
SPIN HIS STYLE
RMC foldable nylon backpack, $75, at S11 NYC, 145 Orchard St at Rivington St (917-330-0016, selevengallery.com)
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Photograph: Jakob N. Layman
SPIN HIS STYLEReebok x Alife Classic Leather Lux sneakers, $70, at Long Island...
SPIN HIS STYLE
Reebok x Alife Classic Leather Lux sneakers, $70, at Long Island City Kleaners, 45-03 Broadway between 45th and 46th Sts, Long Island City, Queens (718-606-0540, licknyc.com)
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SPIN HIS STYLE
Creative Recreation Cesario XVI sneakers, $90, at endless.com
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SPIN HIS STYLE
Boden vintage-inspired chino shorts, $54 each, at bodenusa.com
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SPIN HIS STYLE
Girlprops.com three-record kilt pin, $5, at girlprops.com
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SPIN HIS STYLE
Puma The Heroes wind jacket, $64, at karmaloop.com
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SPIN HIS STYLE
Timex Originals Modern Camper watch, $50, at nordstrom.com
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SPIN HIS STYLE Happy Socks Inca 01 socks, $10, at Opening Ceremony, 35 Howard...
SPIN HIS STYLE
Happy Socks Inca 01 socks, $10, at Opening Ceremony, 35 Howard St between Broadway and Crosby St (212-219-2688, openingceremony.us)
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SPIN HIS STYLE
Neff Headwear Wildstyle belts, $24 each, at neffheadwear.com
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Photograph: Jakob N. Layman
SPIN HIS STYLECharlotte Hornets vintage dead-stock snapback cap, $50, at Long...
SPIN HIS STYLE
Charlotte Hornets vintage dead-stock snapback cap, $50, at Long Island City Kleaners, 45-03 Broadway between 45th and 46th Sts, Long Island City, Queens (718-606-0540, licknyc.com)
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SPIN HIS STYLE
Bonobos Armchair Quarterback sweatshirt, $48, at bonobos.com
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SPIN HIS STYLENooka Mercury sunglasses, $104 (were $130), at nooka.com. Use...
SPIN HIS STYLE
Nooka Mercury sunglasses, $104 (were $130), at nooka.com. Use code "TONY" during checkout to receive this discount through June 15.
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SPIN HIS STYLESLVR Ripstop bomber jacket, $140, at SLVR, 108 Wooster St between...
SPIN HIS STYLE
SLVR Ripstop bomber jacket, $140, at SLVR, 108 Wooster St between Prince and Spring Sts (212-941-6580, slvrstore.adidas.com)
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SPIN HIS STYLE
Creative Recreation Cesario sneakers, $95, at endless.com
Amado Watson, 22; musician, dancer and host of Rhythm Addict TV (rhythmaddict.tumblr.com); Williamsburg, Brooklyn
His personal style: "Fun, vibrant and creatively put together. I'm full of life and I like to express that in the clothes I wear."
His inspirations: "Superheroes like X-Men and Power Rangers, Sega and Game Boy games, Zack Morris from Saved by the Bell, and Dragon Ball Z."
Favorite stores: "I dig Search & Destroy (25 St. Marks Pl between Second and Third Aves, 212-358-1120) because there is nothing that they don't have there: gas masks, straight jackets, spiked leather jackets, glittery and shiny coats and dresses. It's full of timeless treasures. I found a rare vintage Michael Jackson Thriller jacket there for $260. I like Metropolis Vintage (43 Third Ave between 9th and 10th Sts; 212-358-0795, metropolisvintageonline.com) for its vintage concert tees featuring George Michael and Prince, and the tie-dye jeans. When I get sick of the clothes I have, I can trade them in for other hot vintage items at Beacon's Closet (88 North 11th St between Berry St and Wythe Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-486-0816, beaconscloset.com)."
His signature item: "It would have to be my Tommy Hilfiger leather jacket, which I bought in the winter of 2008. I still wear it today and receive just as many compliments on it as I did when I first bought it. The jacket was originally $600 and I got it on sale for $200. How great is that?"
Favorite designers: "Butch Diva (butchdiva.com) makes custom leggings for both sexes, Mack by Marie Janae (lovemariejanae.com) creates pins and retro wear, and M.Y.O.B (filter-nyc.net) makes Japanese-inspired accessories. I like these local designers for their fun and brightly colored clothes. They all think out of the box and their fashions push the limit."
How he describes New York style: "No holds barred. There are no boundaries in NYC, and you see that every day in people who walk the streets. The city is a place where people come to be who they want to be; there's no other place in the world like New York, where you can freely express yourself. Every neighborhood has its own style: You go to Williamsburg and you've got the hipsters and artists; you go to Soho and you have the trendy people. You can search around, find your own niche and be accepted for who you are."
How his style has evolved through the years: "I went from being dressed by my mommy, who is a seamstress and was a style queen in her day, to dressing up like Michael Jackson. In high school, I went from being sporty to prepster to hip-hop to even gothic. I was always known for my daring looks. I'm forever changing and reinventing myself—I get bored very easily."
