A guide to dressing like a gentleman by Thomas Pink’s head of design Fred Willems

Essential menswear advice from Fred Willems, the head of design at Thomas Pink, London.

Fred Willems, head of design at Thomas Pink. Courtesy Thomas Pink

What should every style-savvy man have on his person at all times?

A white linen pocket square or handkerchief and a beautiful timepiece.

What is your top fashion tip?

Be yourself. Make sure you dress in a way you feel comfortable with and are never out of place.

What’s your biggest style no-no?

Complication and mixing too many patterns. Simplicity is the key to elegance.

Hats – yay or nay?

Yes, hats are wonderful summer and winter accessories and bring an extra dimension to your look. Hats look great with casual and formal attire. I especially like panamas in the summer as they look great and keep your head cool.

Who is the best-dressed person you know?

There are a few, for obvious reasons, ranging from the Prince of Wales to Lapo Elkann, and Jefferson Hack to Dan Macmillan.

How would you describe your own personal style?

Understated, contemporary and elegant.

Has this evolved over the years?

It is still pretty much the same. I have always liked one way of dressing and have stuck with it.

If you could inherit one famous person’s wardrobe, whose would it be?

The Duke of Windsor. He was a dresser “extraordinaire” and a real trendsetter back in the day as he did not follow sartorial rules, but made his own.

What was your last major fashion purchase?

A wool/mohair Thomas Pink travel suit in the perfect shade of blue – super elegant and sharp. It will look amazing with my new Imperial white SF shirt.

What is your biggest fashion regret?

I don’t believe in regret. I believe in making mistakes and learning from those mistakes. I would say that impulse buys have not been the best for me. I do have a few things I have bought and never worn.

What are the biggest trends for the coming season, in your opinion?

Shades of indigo and/or blue. Layering looks, building up from the shirt. And dressing up and dressing down.

What is the one trend that you will never embrace?

The one trend I will never embrace is the pressure to actually follow trends – individuals should make their own trends and create a personal style.