Creative director likes polished, bit off-centered attire
WHO: Robert Cathcart, 53, of Delaire, creative director at Halosil International
WHY: He was nominated by MaryAlice St. Clair, who says: “Rob dresses very well, in his own unique style and with great accents: bracelets, watches and pocket squares. He is always impeccable, meticulously groomed with nicely shined shoes, the kind of attention to detail that makes a man stand out.”
HIS STYLE: Eclectic, polished and bold. “I dress for myself. I wear combinations that may be different than what others would expect or are used to seeing, but they work for me. I’ll mix patterns and materials and try different color combinations. At this time of the year, I tend to dress in combinations of navy, black, gray, brown and olive. I also believe (and practice) that one doesn’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy style. You just have to know where to shop to find those items needed to create your look and personal style.”
WEARING, at home and at Cauffiel House in Claymont:
FIRST OUTFIT – Black Gap slim-fit jeans; black Banana Republic marino wool turtleneck sweater; gray Chaps sport coat. Silk gray-blue-and-red paisley Paco Rabanne pocket square; Banana Republic red-and-gray striped socks; black leather vintage ankle boots; Bulova Chronograph watch with black leather watchband; Dutch design black stone bead bracelet; black rubber bracelet by Hoover; stainless steel bracelet discovered at a flea market.
SECOND OUTFIT – Blue J. Ferrar double windowpane check wool sport coat; pale blue Lands End cotton dress shirt; gray Gap cotton tailored chinos; brown with blue stripes Calvin Klein silk tie; Club Room brown cotton pocket square; Buffalo gray with blue polka dots socks; camel leather Johnston & Murphy brogues; Timex Chronograph watch with light brown watchband; Dutch Design stone bead bracelets in brown and blue; Dutch Design brown leather and stone bead bracelet.
THIRD OUTFIT – Dark-wash Gap jeans; brown Banana Republic marino wool turtleneck sweater; H&M denim jean jacket; Banana Republic wool camel coat; Club Room blue with tan polka dots silk pocket square; American Eagle gray-and-orange-striped socks; brown leather Dan Prost cowboy boots; Massimo Watch with wide brown leather watchband; Dutch Design brown stone bead bracelet; woven light brown leather bracelet, a flea market find.
WHERE HE SHOPS: “I like to shop. I prefer to go to stores rather than shop online, with the exception of Lands End online. I shop in person at the Gap, Banana Republic, J.Crew and thrift stores.”
FAVORITE DESIGNERS: Ralph Lauren and Tom Ford.
MOST RECENT PURCHASE: A camel-colored zip-front cardigan from Banana Republic.
OLDEST ITEM IN HIS CLOSET: An olive-colored Austrian dinner wool coat with a velvet band collar and genuine elk horn buttons and lapel details. “I inherited this from my father and had the coat tailored to fit properly. The coat is over 50 years old and very unique and stylish.”
GROOMING TIPS: “Personally, I never understood the beard stubble look a lot of guys sport today. I prefer to be clean-shaven, although I did sport a goatee for five years. Also, I get a haircut every four weeks.”
BEST FOOT FORWARD: “If there’s one item not to go cheap on, it’s shoes. Spend the money on quality materials (leather soles always) and mix it up with laces or monk straps. A quality pair of shoes will last for many years.”
FAVORITE COLOR: Orange. “But you’ll never see me wear it. That’s one thing I can’t pull off.”
FAVORITE FRAGRANCE: L’ Homme by Yves Saint Laurent.
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WORTH THE SPLURGE: A good winter dress coat. “You can wear it with a suit or jeans.”
NOT WORTH THE SPLURGE: Designer jeans.
WISH I HADN’T BOUGHT IT: “Orange cargo shorts I bought last summer. What was I thinking?”
GO-TO OUTFIT ON SATURDAY NIGHT: “Gap dark- or medium-wash jeans, Banana Republic navy turtleneck sweater; Frank & Oak brown hound’s-tooth check sport coat, Dan Proust brown leather cowboy boots.
FAVORITE FASHION BLOGS: Old Soul Heritage; guy.tumblr.com;
parfaitgentleman.com, Pinterest.
FASHION EVOLUTION: “I have an identical twin brother and yes, my parents dressed us alike when we were young, although sometimes they used the same patterns but in different colors. You couldn’t tell who was who. As we got older I wanted to dress different from my brother and tried different looks, settling on more dressy, polished styles than my peers. Today my brother and I are worlds apart when it comes to fashion choices.”
FASHION NO-NOS: Business casual consisting of golf shirts and khakis; short-sleeved dress shirts worn with a tie (made famous by NASA engineers during the Apollo space program); athletic jerseys.
BEST FASHION SCORE: A Belstaff Trialmaster wax-coated moto jacket.
INDISPENSABLE WARDROBE ITEM: Shoe polish and a buffing brush. “I polish all my shoes every one to two weeks. It’s one reason I have a number of pairs over 10 years old.”
ACE ACCESSORY: “Something that personalizes your style. In my case, it’s watches, bracelets and socks.”
BOW TIE OR STRAIGHT TIE? Straight. “But I’m teaching myself to tie a bow so soon it will be both.”
BELT OR SUSPENDERS? Belt. “Braces remind me of the ’80s.”
DENIM, LEATHER OR TWEED? “All great, especially when mixed together.”
WHY FASHION IS IMPORTANT: “I look at it as not so much about fashion but rather having an awareness of your own personal style. What makes you feel great, a style that reflects your confidence and conveys that image to others. Invest the time to develop your own style and let others see the real you. But, don’t be a peacock just to get noticed (and for the wrong reasons). Be yourself.”
Style Files runs weekly in Sunday Life. To suggest someone stylish to feature — your co-worker, teacher, friend, relative or even yourself — please send information to stylefiles@delawareonline.com and include contact information. Pictures are super, too. Reach Eileen Smith Dallabrida at esmith@smithreports.com