17 questions to a well-dressed man – Michal Karlak
PHOTO CREDIT: Michal Karnak
Michal Karlak is the founder of the brand Dignito, a Polish brand for fine men’s accessories which are manufactured with care in Italy in some of the finest ateliers. Michal started his brand around mid 2010 (officially 2012) after getting a lot of people asking him for advice on how to dress. They asked this because he always was impeccably dressed and experienced the benefits of that in his job. He started to accompany people to bespoke tailors to advice then on their style. Only accessories were always hard to find in his opinion and people asked him why they couldn’t find anything decent close to home. He decided it was time to change this and started a search to the finest ateliers to produce a collection of fine men’s accessories under the brand name Dignito for gentlemen in Poland who are conscious about their style. Meanwhile not only Polish gentlemen know to find their way to Dignito but gentlemen from all over the world are shopping at Michal for high quality items. Michal has a very clear and strong opinion and whether you agree with him or not, one can only respect it when somebody has a strong own opinion on how to dress. That’s why I wanted to include him in the interview series ‘’17 questions to a well-dressed man’’ where we will learn now more about Michal his personal style and his views.
What are you wearing today?
It’s mostly home office for me so I’m wearing shirt with a tie, vest and pair of chinos as a comfortable set to run around at home.
If you had to choose to spend money either on a suit or on a watch, what would you choose?
Well, it’s a hard question however I’m not a person who like to go for such compromises so I’d say I would go for both. Choosing one and dropping another is not a mentality that speaks to me.
What jewellery could a man wear?
I think a watch, wedding ring and some rings/signet rings, cufflinks. There are a lot of options however you need to make it a part of the whole look and not just wear it. For me a daily item isa chain with a cross (under my shirt of course) then my wedding ring and watch. If the occasion is not too formal, I’m also adding some signet rings to make my look more “rebellious” let’s say.
Tie or a bowtie?
With a daily outfit a tie. However, with a tuxedo a bow tie, of course.
Do you remember your first jacket?
YES – a rather busy one with lots of colours and a ‘’hard to style’’check. I loved it, however after all those years my style evolved but no one is going to be interested in that probably, so I stop right here.
What is your favourite watch?
Well for now the Tissot PRX is on my “bucket list”. I use for now a Citizen Tsuyosa as my daily choice. But I will be aiming for a nice vintage Omega at some point as well. There are a lot of great watches out there that won’t break your bank. So why to limit yourself to 1 watch or 1 brand. However, I’ve got one plot twist on watches – It’s pointless to have a Rolex if you use it just to check when your lunch break is over. So, now you get my point of view on watches, I hope.
Fountain pen or ballpoint?
A ballpoint since I’m a very pragmatic guy. However, having a fountain pen for all those big contracts which you use only 2-3 times per year is also on my “bucket list”. But first things first.
Have you found the perfect garment yet?
Yes, I did! For me this is a white shirt with a cutaway collar and anavy double breasted suit. It’s perfect for 9 out of 10 occasions. Yes, I know this is more like a perfect outfit and not just a garment but if we stick to just a garment; let’s say a white 100% cotton shirt, made to measure.
Explain your biggest passion in one sentence?
"It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live." Marcus Aurelius
What is your guilty pleasure?
Cigars and rum or some CAVA/Prosecco paired with nice dark chocolate and 1-2h of doing nothing but reading and listening to music. For me less is more so I’m aiming for quality over quantity that is why Cigars not cigarettes (never smoke those) plus 30-40ml of nice rum or whiskey. Perfect alternatives are also wineswith or without bubbles.
Who is the best dressed man in the world for you?
I don’t have a role model for this one and never had.
The best book you ever read?
The Bible for sure. But it’s more for studying than reading. I’d say it’s amazing how you can find answers for all your “problems” when you start reading and working with it.
Which city should one go shopping?
I’d say skip shopping just concentrate on architecture, food and museums and for shopping go online!
Tweed or flannel?
Both since for me (and its more opinion than any type of rule)flannel should be used for pants and/or vests and tweed only for ajackets and caps.
The most elegant restaurant in the world for you?
Well, not going to choose one here since for me it’s more about with who you are going to eat NOT where.
Describe your style in three words?
“Less is more “– but to be honest, what do you expect from a guy who said a navy suit and a white shirt is his favourite type of garment!? Frankly speaking, the more I live, the more I realize that accessories are there to bring pattern/colour and not jackets or/and suits.
Best purchase you did in the last 6 months?
Set of boxing bags, gloves and some other boxing equipment for my basement gym room.