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[title]JJ Hat Center and Pork Pie Hatters owner Marc Williamson proves he is one of the most stylish New Yorkers by wearing put-together outfits assembled from a mix of local indie designers and thrifted finds. He has a knack for uncovering deals at department store discounters like Nordstrom Rack and Century 21.
RECOMMENDED: Most stylish New Yorkers
Marc Williamson, 42; Woodside, Queens; co-owner of JJ Hat Center (310 Fifth Ave between 31st and 32nd Sts; 212-239-4368, jjhatcenter.com) and Pork Pie Hatters (440 E 9th St between First Ave and Ave A, 212-260-0408 • 441 Metropolitan Ave between Marcy and Meeker Aves, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 347-457-6519 • porkpiehatters.com)
His personal style: “Cosmopolitan: When I dress I try to express a clear, palatable mix of cultures and ideas, not unlike the city where I live. My style is highly adaptable.”
His style inspirations: “I am inspired by people who express their individuality by the way they dress. I am also inspired when I see different colors that go together well and by shapes and textures, no matter the medium.”
About his store: “JJ Hat Center was established in 1911 and Pork Pie Hatters in 2011. Both are classic full-service men’s hat shops selling fedoras, Panama hats, driving caps, newsboy caps, berets, fisherman caps and so on. Some of the brands we stock include Borsalino, Jonathan Richards, Stetson, Phrenology, Tomaz and Williamson, and more.”
Favorite stores: “Ina (locations throughout the city; visit inanyc.com) offers luxury and high-end goods at affordable prices. I have purchased everything from shoes to belts to jackets from them over the years. The layout of Nepenthes (307 W 38th St between Eighth and Ninth Aves; 212-643-9540, nepenthesny.com) is fantastic, and they sell Engineered Garments, which I love. I like the unique mix of items that Opening Ceremony (35 Howard St between Broadway and Crosby St, 212-219-2688 • 1190–92 Broadway between 28th and 29th Sts, 646-695-5680 • openingceremony.us) carries. My last purchase from them was a pair of Thierry Lasry sunglasses.”
His signature items: “My signature items would be my headwear (fedoras, tweed caps, berets, etc.), my scarves (different fabrics based on the weather which I wear year-round) and my socks (always colorful, with stripes or prints, never plain or drab, solid colors).”
Favorite NYC designers: “Ovadia and Sons (ovadiaandsons.com) has great taste and style. They make fabulous outerwear, formal wear, shirts, shoes and so on. Devon Scott (devonscottny.com) specializes in men’s suiting. He offers made-to-measure suits, jackets and shirts. He’s a Southern gentleman with a sartorial elegance. Holl NYC, a new brand by Gabriel Holl, makes ties and scarves. I love his eye for color and texture. His website is set to launch in early spring.”
His New York style icon: “Jam Master Jay of Run-D.M.C. To me, style is how you treat people and how you inspire people, as well as how you dress. True style breaks down barriers and builds bridges. When I was a young nobody running with another notable rapper’s entourage and crossed paths with JMJ, he was more than personable—he was cool, and made me feel cool. That’s style.”
How he describes NYC style: “Focused, frenetic and liberating.”
Follow Rachel LeWinter on Twitter: @Rachel_LeWinter