‘I’m 32, and I’m a public radio host and the owner of a comedy and culture podcast network, MaximumFun.org. And of course the owner of Put This On. I went to a public arts high school in San Francisco, where I studied theater, and to the University of California, Santa Cruz, where I was an American Studies major. I’ve got a wife who indulges my sartorial bent. Sometimes she’s a little annoyed if she has to dress up when we’re going out, but she really appreciates that I love it. And that she never has to be embarassed of how I’m dressed. And a young son – who knows if he’ll share my interest, but in the meantime I have a great time buying him clothes at the thrift store and flea market. My father and stepmother thought it was funny… an extension of a childhood obsession with costumes.

Products from Pukimo Raivio

Kiton, grey sports jacket, size 50EU
Ralph Lauren, Black Label suit, size 52EU

My mom loved it, and is quite the dresser herself. Classics have always appealed to me aesthetically. I remember checking “Men In Style,” the book of 1930s Esquire illustrations, out of the library to prepare myself for prom. I was in high school during the swing revival, and while it quickly got annoying, I made a pretty penny buying 40s clothes at thrift stores and reselling them. I didn’t really start wearing a coat and tie regularly until the end of my 20s, when I was working for myself and hoping to establish a bit of credibility with the guests on my radio show. It’s something I’ve always been interested in. I had the Flusser books as a teenager. I’d say I got my taste from my mom and my knowledge of menswear from years of study.

[My style is] lovable eccentric? When I’m in a coat and tie, it tends to be a bit tweedy, which I think is in keeping with my job as a public radio host. When I’m dressed casually, it’s usually pretty all-American, circa 1958 or so. Simple and classic. [As to finding Styleforum,] I think I was just looking for menswear information on the internet. I remember being disappointed that there wasn’t anything years and years ago, and giving up the search. Not long after I was looking Ask Andy and StyleForum cropped up. I’m not a guy that makes a dozen posts a day, but I enjoy reading it when I’m trying to clear my mind of something else.

I usually buy used, and to some extent take what I can get. I really like old Polo and Abercrombie & Fitch. Besides that I have a lot of things from a lot of makers. Lately I’ve noticed myself buying several Levis Vintage Clothing items, and coveting many Nigel Cabourn ones. For my birthday, my wife got me an A-1 jacket from Lost Worlds, which is due to arrive tomorrow. As far as tailors – CEGO Custom Shirtmakers in New York makes my shirts, my tailor Mr. Ryu at Pro Tailor in Los Angeles sometimes makes me pants, and High Society, also in Los Angeles, has made me some sportcoats and a suit. I mostly go bespoke when I find a fabric I really love, at an estate sale or fabric shop.

[Putthison] started as a video series. My collaborator, Adam Lisagor, was a new friend of mine, and a brilliant filmmaker. I’d always wanted to do a project about menswear, but didn’t have the filmmaking chops to do it, so when I became friends with Adam, I thought of it immediately. Initially, the blog was going to be a companion to the videos, but the blog took off almost immediately. So I just kept writing. Initially it was me and Adam, who hasn’t been involved much since season one of the videos. These days our director is Benjamin Harrison, and Derek Guy writes at least as much for the blog as I do. You should always expect more! For those kinds of pieces, we rely on Derek. He’s an academic, and his inherent tendency to over-research is perfect for those kinds of pieces. He always does a wonderful job.

If you met me at a party, I’d say I’m a public radio host. My show’s distributed by NPR, and is about popular culture. I love comedy and hip-hop, particularly. I also inherited from my mother a love of flea markets, thrift stores and estate sales. Mine’s the rare marital home decorated by the husband. You’re lucky to live in a world where you don’t have to travel far to learn about how to dress. I’d say the most important thing is that a little consideration in your dress is a sign of respect for others, not self-regard. Or at least it should be.’

http://www.putthison.com

Picture: © Zac Wolf