17 questions to a well-dressed man – Gabor Halmos
It doesn’t happen often that somebody I saw a photograph of more than 15 years ago, I happened to actually meet so many years later. But with Gabor Halmos this was the case. I remember that more than 15 years ago there was a blog called The Sartorialist by Scott Schuman. A man who got really famous at a certain point and perhaps was one of the pioneers in fashion blogging. I was visiting his blog very often and at one day I saw a picture there of Gabor Halmos whom I didn’t know personally back then, but I did like his style. He was introduced there as the US agent of the famous Hungarian shoemakers Vass. Years later when I was talking with my good friend Vassilis Bourtsalas from Bespoke Athens, Gabor his name came up and he told me about sartoriale.com which was the business that Gabor established many years before and where he is offering high quality clothes which are vintage or new old stock and of course in an impeccable state. The business was founded already in 2000 and therewith probably one of the very first online shops specializing on this. You can find their items from houses like Kiton, Rubinacci, Brioni, Charvet, Attolini, Isaia and Caruso. A true candy shop for gentlemen who love clothes where they can find their high-quality candies for an extremely good value. I’ve ordered items over the years there myself and have never been disappointed. Some years went by after I learned about sartoriale.com and I checked out the website very often before my other good friend Bruce Boyer came one day with the questions whether I ever met Gabor Halmos? I told him I never met Gabor but have noticed him via the world wide web and heard about him from a friend. Bruce insisted that we’d learn to know each other and till today I’m still grateful for the introduction he made. Gabor is a very elegant but especially also a knowledgeable man when it comes to the field of clothes and shoes. He appreciates quality and craftsmanship and knows where to look for that. At the same time, he knows how to wear that without being over the top, which is the biggest art of dressing well. He also happens to be a real watch enthusiast and appreciates the finer makers in the world like Sinn and Tutima which is not known by a big audience but highly appreciated by people who really know about watches and the mechanics behind it. Beside sartoriale.com, Gabor also runs the shoemakers Passus who are crafting some of the finest shoes in Hungary. I always enjoy chatting with Gabor and now I wanted you all to enjoy some of Gabor’s taste level by the answers he gave on ‘’17 questions to a well-dressed man’’. Enjoy reading and don’t forget to have a look at sartoriale.com where you can really find some fantastic sartorial treasures.
What are you wearing today?
Passus suede chukka boots, Nigel Cabourn officer’s chinos, Sartorio linen shirt and vintage US Army jungle jacket
If you had to choose to spend money either on a suit or on a watch, what would you choose?
That would be a vintage watch for me.
What jewellery could a man wear?
For me just a wristwatch. But on others I appreciate anything that suits them, I like Native American jewellery, tie bars, some bracelets for example.
Tie or a bowtie?
Tie. I like jacquard and wool ties.
Do you remember your first jacket?
It was a Giorgio Armani… late 1980s
What is your favourite watch?
I love my 1965 Omega Speedmaster Ed White, very versatile watch. Also, a Universal Geneve compax called “Nina Rindt”. I like vintage “tool” watches: chronos, divers and military watches.
Fountain pen or ballpoint?
Fountain pen to collect, ballpoint to carry and use every day.
Have you found the perfect garment yet?
US vintage denim, workwear and military clothing, they cannot be imitated, or recreated, superb quality with a timeless look. For suits: bespoke from Napoli, or Savile Row, London.
Explain your biggest passion in one sentence?
All good things in life…
What is your guilty pleasure?
Flea markets, anywhere I travel. I can get caught up and spending too much time there…
Who is the best dressed man in the world for you?
Steve McQueen and Gianni Agnelli still inspiring. Also Mr. Bruce Boyer comes to mind, always so effortlessly well put together, “timeless elegance”.
The best book you ever read?
1984, first read it as a young teenager. Always relevant.
Which city should one go shopping?
Napoli and New York, also the Rose Bowl flea market in Pasadena.
Tweed or flannel?
Tweed for jackets and overcoats, flannel for suits and pants.
The most elegant restaurant in the world for you?
None in particular.
Describe your style in three words?
Dress for your day (If that makes sense)
Best purchase you did in the last 6 months?
My Passus longwing derbies in “hatch grain”, I wear them a lot.