We’ve seen King Charles and his Savile Row suits, Prince William’s ostentatious velvet evening slippers and, after the X (formerly Twitter) thread that went viral last summer, King Charles VI of Spain. You’ve probably heard about Filipe’s impeccable approach to tailoring.
What about Fernando Fitz-James Stuart, 17th Duke of Huéscar? Derek Guy, the internet’s self-proclaimed “menswear man”@dieworkwear Noting the Spanish king’s flawless Wimbledon team last July, X) made the following decision: “[he] “may be the second most stylish living royal (after the king of Spain).”
The grandson of the late great Duchess of Alba – the world’s most titled grandfather when he died in 2014 – Fitz-James Stuart married Sofía Palazuelo Barroso in a lavish ceremony in 2018 and has since converted to blue-blooded Iberian style. The icon we never knew we needed.
So what really sets the Spanish aristocrat’s look apart? And more importantly, unless you come from one of the richest families in your country, how can you emulate this in your own wardrobe?
Here are seven essential style lessons you can learn from the best-dressed royals you’ve never heard of.
1. It pays to stick to the uniform (which is not a uniform)
There’s something to be said for finding a sartorial craft that works and expands until you’ve developed a distinctive personal style. This is a trick that the Duke of Huéscar perfected in his 33 years.
When he’s not wearing ceremonial regalia, he favors a simple uniform of aristocratic, high-collared shirts and impeccably tailored clothing that elongates his figure and complements the broad curve of his shoulders. The pessimistic tone of the suits matches very well with the intensity of the color.
Stylist Catherine Hayward explains: “As well as frequently wearing official uniform on formal occasions, the Duke also adopted a personal uniform for his other duties.” “Simple, dark single-breasted tailoring with a nonchalantly rolled shirt sleeve, paired with an expensive silk tie for work or simple chinos and shorts for the weekends. It never deviates from this formula. It is useful and it works.”
2. Are you being informal? Be ready
A fan of distressed polo shirts, mid-rise chinos (notably teamed with statement belts in complementary leather tones), and wide button-down shirts, Duke’s off-duty style comes filled with a whiff of American prep. Albeit with a European superiority.
The key to achieving a look with equal sartorial confidence is to make like the Duke and stick to a simple palette of soft cobalts, washed sage, polished stones and dusty roses. This will ensure that your casual clothes are cut for comfort but still look stylish thanks to the color match.
“Off-duty, there’s something John F. Kennedy Jr. about Duke,” says menswear consultant Olie Arnold. “The right pair of jeans worn with the right formal shirt (but with the sleeves rolled up and just enough exposure at the chest) or a faded polo shirt paired with short shorts shows an appreciation for style and a confidence in what they wear that is completely natural. .”
3. Get it. A. Tailor
If you want to look as stylish as the Duke, you need to find a great tailor and let them work their magic on every garment you buy – ready-made or otherwise. Said tailor doesn’t need to cost a lot or have a property on Savile Row, but they do need to have a strong sense of silhouette and the ability to advise you on the best cuts to suit your frame.
“The Duke’s tailoring does three things,” Derek Guy explains about X. “one. Extended shoulder widens the shoulder line. 2. Shortened waist gives her a V-shaped figure. 3. The long coat softens your hips and creates a line that flows down your legs.”
Be prepared that it may take time to find a tailor who can accomplish all the points mentioned above, so don’t hesitate to ask for advice from other stylish people you know and be willing to shop around.
“The Duke certainly has a great tailor, or he has a knack for it when it comes to combinations and fits,” says Arnold. “I’m guessing he’s wearing Tom Ford because of the jacket’s wide lapels, strong shoulders and waisted cut. “He looks elegant and expensive, but he also has the air of someone who’s been wearing bespoke suits since he could crawl, so I’m sure they’re straight off the rack.”
4. When in doubt, keep it simple
Coco Chanel famously said: “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take off anything.” It’s a rule the Duke clearly abides by – knowingly or unknowingly – because the most accessory he’s ever worn is a perfectly knotted silk tie or a pair of stylish sunglasses.
Instead, Fitz-James Stuart focuses his energy on the founding elements of his look — the perfect belt of his lace-up Oxford shoes or the slim but flowing cut of his shirts. “Fitz-James Stuart seems to have struck the balance between formality and contemporary,” says Arnold. “Don Draper’s quote ‘Make it simple but meaningful’ rings true when describing the dress code of the current Duke of Huéscar.”
Menswear designer Oliver Spencer agrees: “There’s nothing crazy or outrageous about his tailored look.” “No bold ties or eccentric linings; just letting the cut and quality of his suits shine.”
5. Choose fuller pants
“The Duke wears slightly fuller trousers, which allows them to drape more neatly,” Guy writes in his post; Stylist Gareth Scourfield agrees; “The Duke seems to have a keen eye for detail and his tailoring is perfectly balanced. His cuffs hit the shoes at just the right length and his trousers are cut fuller so they hang at the waist.”
The dominant trend in recent years has been slim-cut, tapered trousers that end above the shoe, pulling in the calf and creating a kind of carrot shape. But the truth is that such a cut will make you look shorter and will cling to the muscular surfaces of your legs; This should be avoided if you plan to walk with your trousers on.
“You should consider how your pants will look not only when you stand still, but also when you’re in motion,” Guy wrote. “The relative fullness of the Duke’s trousers also allows him to create a smooth, harmonious silhouette between the jacket and the trousers.” [trousers].”
6. Your formal attire should never be an afterthought.
While it may be tempting to save money by renting a morning suit or tuxedo, the truth is that a) you’ll be wearing it way more than you ever imagined, and b) you’ll be seen in lots of photos doing it. So it makes more sartorial and financial sense to do a Fitz-James Stuart and invest in appropriate, tailored formal wear designed to both fit your body and last a lifetime.
“The Duke is clearly very knowledgeable about formal wear; his choice of morning suits and waistcoats is always excellent,” says Oliver Spencer. “For example, in 2021, he attended his brother’s wedding in a traditional black dressing gown and cashmere striped trousers, pairing them with a soft yellow shawl-collar vest, a light blue cut-collar shirt, and a tonal navy blue tie. “All of this demonstrates a keen eye for detail and an appreciation of the power of good color matches.”
7. Make the most of your hair
Unlike most British aristocrats who shake their hair in submission or have very little hair to begin with, Fernando Fitz-James Stuart is blessed with a follicular fertility unique to his class, and he’s incredibly unafraid to show it off.
“I think the Duke’s tailoring resistance part her impressive hair,” agrees Catherine Hayward. “He has a healthy, shiny barnet with the right amount of ‘action’. This is a bit like George Michael from 1986; It’s all soft waves and a smoldering piece, and the perfect antidote to the simplicity of her wardrobe.”
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