David Gandy: what to wear to a fashion show

David Gandy: what to wear to a fashion show

When you're one of the most high-profile people at London's four-day biannual menwear event, how do you decide what to wear? David Gandy explains

I used to have an art teacher who always said, "There is no right or wrong in art. There is no good or bad. It is how people interpret your work that is important." She would then proceed to criticise the piece I was working on and tell me how wrong it was. All rather confusing.

Fashion can also be slightly confusing, too, sometimes. Critics talk about certain pieces being "on trend" while declaring other collections to be a "daring" break from the norm. So exactly how do you know if what you’re wearing is right?

Many years ago I went to a fashion meeting wearing jeans and a denim shirt. The look on the faces of the people in the meeting was of one of horror. “You never wear double denim!” they told me, in no uncertain terms. A month later, Ralph Lauren showed a range that was based around the idea of double denim and, after that, people couldn't get enough of it.

I’m often asked what is on trend or in fashion and what should never be worn. The truth is, I simply don't know. This may sound strange, but I don't believe in trends. If something looks good to you and you’re comfortable and confident wearing it, then that’s all that matters.

^{In M&S and Spencer Hart at the One for the Boys event (PA)}

Samuel L Jackson’s One For the Boys charity event and catwalk show was a very difficult event to know how to dress for. Being held at the Natural History Museum, I knew it was going to be very prestigious, however it wasn't black tie, but required elegance.

I adore the jacket I wore, which was made especially for me by M&S and, with the shawl lapel, it was perfect for this event - slightly shorter and tighter on the arms, but this was the jacket that everyone commented on most throughout LC:M. The waistcoat I wore is one of three I own in different colours, by Spencer Hart, which are definitely my favourites. They are quite formal and also very classic in the cut, so they come up quite short. I had to wear quite a high-cut trouser so that there wasn't a gap between the waistcoat and trousers. The trousers are a different colour to separate the style, something I do a lot and which, I think, works. The outfit was finished off with a vintage Omega watch, a simple dark grey tie and also something quite different for me, a dress slipper with no socks….. I'm not going to lie, I stole this idea from Tinnie Tempah. Was I cool enough to pull them off? Probably not.

Suit jacket: M&S Best of British

Shirt: M&S

Waistcoat: Spencer Hart

Tie: Club Monaco

Trousers: Neil Fennell

Shoes: Dolce and Gabbana

Watch: Omega Speedmaster

Shoes: Dolce and Gabbana

^{In Lucky Brand jeans at the Richard James show (Getty Images)}

Monday, June 16

I wore the same jacket as the evening before as I really wanted to show the versatility of suiting by wearing it for a very formal event, to then wearing it with denim the morning after. A button-down-collar shirt matched with the blue polka dot on the knitted tie again and even though I absolutely loved the Cutler and Gross glasses, I don’t think this style of outfit suited them.

Suit jacket: M&S

Shirt: Thom Sweeney

Tie: Club Monaco

Trousers: Lucky Brand Jeans

Glasses: Cutler and Gross

Shoes: Lanvin

Watch: Omega Bullhead

^{At the Tommy Hilfiger dinner}

Probably my favourite outfit of the week, this one had to work for the last few shows, but also carry me in to the Tommy Hilfiger dinner in the evening. I chose a cut of suit I love with wide lapels and a window-pane pattern, which I also love, and I wore one of my favourite ties, contrasting to the light grey. I’m not sure what I was doing with the handkerchief here? It would probably have worked better in a dark blue polka dot, like the tie.

Suit: M&S Best of British

Tie: Club Monaco

Handkerchief: Club Monaco

Shoes: Lanvin

Watch: Omega Bullhead

^{In Gandy/Fennell suit at the Burberry SS15 show (Getty Images)}

Tuesday, June 17

The sun finally came out, so I could wear the very old-school designed David Gandy/Neil Fennell collaboration that we had worked on. We came up with a linen classic cut suit, showing how men’s tailoring can be worn in warmer weather. I wore it with a T-shirt - suits don’t always need to be worn with tie or collar shirt. I love the colours and cut of the suit, they were a perfect combination for the hot day and by adding a pair of braces, something that in my eyes we don’t see enough of, it emphasised the old-school feel. I’m still on the fence about whether or not the T-shirt worked with the jacket on, though. Next time I wear this outfit, it will be with shirt and tie as I think I’ll feel more comfortable.

Gresham Blake made these shoes especially for me, mixing the tan leatherwith a brown Prince Of Wales check. I absolutely adore them, but would I put them with the blue trousers again? No. They stood out, certainly, but a little too much for me. My only other accessory that day was the Mercedes 300sl Gullwing that I was driving - the car is perfection.

Suit: Gandy/Fennell Collaboration

T-shirt: American Apparel

Shoes: Gresham Blake

Braces : M&S

Handkerchief: Club Monaco

Glasses: Bailey Nelson

^{In a Club Monaco suit with Mercedes 300sl Gullwing (Rex Features)}

I have to admit that by the final evening, and the GQ dinner, it was getting hard to think straight after 40+ shows, events and presentations. I went for one of my very favourite suits, a simple double-breasted Club Monaco that is a trusty piece when you need it. I did add a little contrast with the Gresham Blake shoes, Herringbone pocket square and striped cream and blue Peckham Rye tie, which is my favourite tie company.

Suit: Club Monaco

Tie: Peckham Rye

Shirt: M&S

Handkerchief: J Crew

Shoes: Gresham Blake

So there you have it. Some people may say it was too traditional, too based around tailoring and not daring enough. Some traditionalists may say that I shouldn't have mixed suiting and tailoring with T-shirts and jeans - and they are all valid opinions. The important thing is that this is the style that I feel most comfortable in for this environment. I’ve always mixed a lot of high-street with designer pieces and classic with contemporary. I take a lot of my style inspirations from history, from Savile Row, from traditional English tailoring and style icons like James Dean and Cary Grant. And, for me, that works, which is what I think matters for all of us - being comfortable with our own personal style.