Most stylish New Yorkers: Steve Dool
The fashion publicist demonstrates the art of layering; we show you how to steal his casual style.
Tue Jan 18 2011
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Photograph: Zenith Richards
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"This sweater has sort of a Freddy Krueger vibe about it," Dool says of his McQ top from Harvey Nichols in London. "But it's also so soft---like a kinder, gentler, more approachable Freddy Krueger." He pairs it with Levi's jeans from the brand's store in Soho. "I'm all about mixing the high with the low."
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Photograph: Zenith Richards
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"I like the dress-shoe details on this particular style," says Dool, referring to his Clae Ellington kicks from Barneys. "Really solid everyday sneakers that go with almost everything and wear really well."
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Photograph: Zenith Richards
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"I'm all about layering," declares Dool, who sports a Levi's denim shirt over an American Apparel striped button-down. "I wear a lot of stripes and patterns, but sometimes you need to tone it down a bit." His black jeans are also by Levi's.
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Photograph: Zenith Richards
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"I found this bracelet when I was moving out of my parents' house after college, and I have no idea where it's from," recalls Dool. "I like it for how simple it is, which is also what my friends say about me."
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Photograph: Zenith Richards
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Dool wears a purple bracelet from a minigolf course in Princeton, New Jersey, under his Timex XL Camper watch. "I won it after a particularly intense 18 holes, during which I mercilessly eviscerated the competition---my 10-year-old cousin," he admits. He bought the beaded bracelet in a church gift shop in Rome. "I call it my Jesus and Friends bracelet because the gang's all on there: St. Michael the Archangel, John the Baptist, la Virgen Mara."
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Photograph: Zenith Richards
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Dool rocks another pair of Clae shoes, this time in the line's Strayhorn style. "I think the desert boot silhouette combined with the comfort of a sneaker is a good look," he reflects.
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Photograph: Zenith Richards
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"This was my father's old leather jacket from when he was around my age," explains Dool. "He gave it to me on the condition that I never part with it, because it's one of his all-time favorite pieces. I actually remember him wearing it when I was very little, so it has quite a lot of sentimental value." Since the topper is a bit roomy on him, Dool layers a J.Crew sweater and a Cold Method henley that he bought on sale from Flying A underneath.
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Photograph: Zenith Richards
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"Oh man, these sneakers should really be retired," admits Dool. "They were literally $10, and I suspect I paid about $9 too much for them. They were good summer sneakers that probably should have stayed in the summer."
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Photograph: Zenith Richards
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Dool scored this Lee denim jacket at a thrift store. "There is indeed a mysterious stain on the back, which I tell people adds character but actually kind of grosses me out when I take it off and see it," he says. He adorns the left lapel with buttons he bought at a flea market in Dublin. "The shady vendor peddling these said they came from Soviet Russia," he recalls. "One of them has a badminton racket on it, which I thought was funny, because nothing says Soviet Russia like a leisurely game of lawn tennis."
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Photograph: Zenith Richards
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"I mentioned to my mother that I wanted a pair of saddle shoes after I watched some old concert footage of the Specials and she bought these for me," explains Dool of his J.Crew shoes. "After I got them, I literally didn't wear them for a year and then one day I remembered them, wore them around and now they're in my regular rotation."
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Photograph: Zenith Richards
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Dool wears a reverse-print Reyn Spooner shirt under his thrifted Lee jacket. "It has the look of something that's been faded by the sun, and the pattern is crazy!," he enthuses. "A lot of people think they can't wear Hawaiian prints unless they're on a cruise or at the beach, but they actually make for really cool, unexpected layering pieces all year round." He bought the Trovata pants on Gilt Groupe.
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Photograph: Zenith Richards
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"People often think this is a watch, but it's actually just a bracelet," notes Dool. "I had it engraved with my initials, because I love myself."
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Photograph: Zenith Richards
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International souvenirs adorn Dool's wrist: He bought the black bracelet while studying abroad in Rome, while his good friend Nas purchased the red, blue and yellow band for him in Madrid. "They sell the same kind of thing on street corners here," he notes. "But this one is special because it reminds me of my friend Nas and how she went to Madrid and only got me this bracelet that I could also get here in New York myself."
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Photograph: Zenith Richards
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"I got this black-and-white cardigan at Topman in Wales when I was visiting my expat parents," says Dool. "It's very warm, and I like the pattern, because it's a little weird and vaguely ethnic, just like my dream girlfriend!" He wears a Saturdays Surf shirt underneath and Levi's pants on the bottom.
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Photograph: Zenith Richards
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"These suckers are Ksubi and they're big," says Dool. "I wear sunglasses a lot, but these bad boys are something a little extra. I actually found these at the (capsule) show a year ago and no one claimed them for a few weeks, so now I am officially the rightful owner. That's how the law works, right?"
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Photograph: Zenith Richards
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Dool reserves this Nixon watch "for my 'all-black-everything' days. Hova and I agree on that style point, although he and I differ in our views on skinny jeans and the general practice of encrusting things in diamonds," he jokes. "You know, to each his own."
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SPIN HIS STYLE
21 Men Fair Isle knitted tie, $10, at Forever 21, locations throughout the city; visit forever21.com
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SPIN HIS STYLE
Skagen Denmark Black Label titanium link watch, $234 (normally $275), at skagen.com. Use the code "TONY" to receive this discount through Jan 26.
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SPIN HIS STYLE
Keds Chukka canvas sneakers, $60, at Saga Fine Shoes, 456 Broadway between Grand and Howard Sts (212-625-0775)
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SPIN HIS STYLE
Cheap Monday Santiago shirt, $70, at Alter, 109 Franklin St at Greenpoint Ave, Greenpoint, Brooklyn (718-784-8818)
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SPIN HIS STYLE
Jack Spade Devore jacket, $403, at Jack Spade, 56 Greene St at Broome St (212-625-1820, jackspade.com)
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SPIN HIS STYLE
BDG Fair Isle cardigan, $68, at Urban Outfitters, 526 Sixth Ave at 14th St (646-638-1646, urbanoutfitters.com)
Steve Dool, 26, publicist (capsuleshow.com), Soho
His personal style: "Studly."
His inspirations: "Theo Huxtable is my personal style icon: high-top fades for days."
Favorite stores: "Opening Ceremony stocks so many of my favorite brands and it's just really, consistently good. If nothing else, the collaborations are at least interesting and different from what other people are doing. If I'm feeling angsty, I'll hit up Oak for something decidedly not-colorful. I also enjoy a quick romp through the J.Crew men's shop from time to time, too."
His signature garment: "I wear a ton of cardigans. And I like my cardigans like I like my women: chunky."
Favorite designers: "The Burkman Bros (burkmanbros.com) are killing it right now. They use prints really well and everything they design is always super comfortable. I also like the hometown heroes at Timo Weiland (timoweiland.com). The clothes are a little quirky and different, a welcome respite from the sea of Americana and heritage still dominating menswear these days."
How he describes New York style: "The best thing about it is that there are always people who look better than you and people who look worse than you everywhere you go. I'm happy to ride that middle ground for all it's worth."
How his style has evolved through the years: "I've gone through phases like everyone else. But I pretty much kept things in check until I went to college, at which point I promptly cut my hair into a mohawk and made some very questionable sartorial choices. I will not mention them here for fear of someone coming forward with photographic evidence."
