Best dressed Secrets behind NZ’s
Scrubbing up well is all about style, not fashion says David Hartnell as his makes his top picks for 2020.
IT’S the detail that fashion guru David Hartnell looks for when he’s pulling together his Best Dressed List. It might be in the way someone knots a tie – pinup boffin Dr Ashley Bloomfield made it to this year’s best dressed list, for example, because he makes aWindsor knot look effortless.
‘‘He was on television, every day, for I don’t know howmany weeks, and he always looked smart; that man can tie a tie,’’ says Hartnell.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern might havemade the cover of Vogue, meanwhile, but she doesn’t make the cut for Hartnell’s best dressed list.
‘‘She looked absolutely stunning when she went to Buckingham Palace.’’
But otherwise Ardern dressed ‘‘pleasantly’’ without being exceptional.
Hartnell says what really sets the stylish apart to him is being comfortable in their own skin.
That was what elevated breakfast TV host Duncan Garner to the top of Hartnell’s best dressed list: ’’What I like about him ... he has nice coloured jackets, he’s always got a pocket handkerchief in there and he’s never over the top ... he doesn’t let his fashion over-rule him. He’s not a fashionconscious person; he just puts it on and it all works.’’
Garner admits that he’s not one to follow the fashion rules: ‘‘It’s largely an organised shambles of colours,’’ says the AMShowhost.
He says he usually goes for a bright jacket over a simple plain shirt, but he doesn’t do patterned shirts ‘‘as there’s too much going on in the brain so early in the day to cope with patterns on shirts as well’’.
‘‘Throw in a pair of light brown pants and recycle the pocket square and ‘boom’.’’
Hartnell has been putting out his Best Dressed List for the past 40 years and says while fashion has changed over that time, the secret to being stylish hasn’t. ‘‘Style and class never date’’. Awoman could be stylish with only ‘‘one good outfit’’ that never dates, and change it up by accessorising; for men, it only required two good outfits – a dark suit, plus a pair of light coloured trousers and a good jacket.
So who made the cut? Here are Hartnell’s 2020 picks for the best dressed.
WOMEN
Jenny Suo, TVNZ presenter Her wardrobe is not at all gimmicky. She keeps it simple emphasising it with both colour and style. Her look is never overbearing or smothering, always spot on.
Wendy Petrie, TVNZ presenter
On camera or off, she always looks elegant and poised beyond her years. Wendy always looks comfortable with what she is wearing, a smart elegant woman with awardrobe to match.
Oriini Kaipara, TVNZ presenter
She always looks extremely confident in what she wears. She gets 10 out of 10 for her colour coordination’s and fashion flair.
Courtney Tairi, former netball player, now host on Sky Sport
She could grace the cover or the pages of any international fashion magazine. Her look is always very ‘‘of the moment’’, simple and chic. AmandaGillies, co-host of Three’s theAMShow
She has the natural instinct in teaming together clothes that really and truly work for her.
She puts a stamp on her fashion look, sophisticated and effortless for her early morning TV appearances.
Sacha McNeil, Newshub presenter
Her fashion look is always constant, and is always stylish. Sacha completely understands her wardrobe and what she looks best in.
Melissa Chan-Green, Newshub presenter
Her wardrobe is never haphazard, her look is always well thought out, combining colour, texture and style. In another life, she could easily be a fashion stylist.
TamiNeilson, singer
Her wardrobe captures her personality of style, flair and free spirit with a touch of sexiness. Tami is a queen of her own fashion style of fabulosity.
Paula Bennett, former National PartyMP
Since her weight reduction she has learnt the art of blending her wardrobe to suit the occasion, cultivating a sense of effortless elegance.
MEN
Richie Mo’unga, All Black With orwithout collar and tie, his look works for him 100 per cent. He could grace the pages of Men’s Vogue magazine. This man has fashion style in abundance. Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Director-General ofHealth Ashley’s wardrobe is always cool, calm and collected like himself. He likes a tailored fit and wears it well. MikeHosking, NewstalkZB His wardrobe embodies joie de vivre. He has a great sense of whimsical when it comes to his fashion look, mixing colour, patterns and textures.
Mick Peck, award-winning magician
Mick’s look is always tailored to perfection, making him the bestdressed man in New Zealand show business. He’s a great magician, who makes anything in his wardrobe that doesn’t work completely disappear.
Marlon Williams, singersongwriter
He’s a young man that can wear anything from a T-shirt to a designer suit, and make it look great. He takes pride in what he wears and the way he looks.
Logan Swann, former Warriors player
No matter what he wears – casual or tailored – he wears it well. He could grace the cover and pages of Gentleman’s Quarterly fashion magazine. Andrew Gourdie, Newshub presenter
His casual, happy-go-lucky approach to his wardrobe is a real winner. Whatever he wears he looks dapper.
Stan Walker, singersongwriter
Stan always dresses for the here and now. He’s always on trend with colour/fashion and style making his look all his own. OscarKightley, actor, writer, presenter
His approach to his wardrobe is ruggedly casual; his ‘‘I don’t care about fashion trend’’ works a treat for him.
JeremyWells, Seven Sharp presenter
Hiswardrobe always has a touch of strong male panache. He takes pride in the way he looks. His tortoise-shell framed glasses have become part of his overall look.
SUPREMEWOMAN
SusieNordqvist, Newshub presenter
Epitomises 100 per cent what fashion is all about: always on trend, without going overboard. From hair to makeup to wardrobe, always looks sleek and sophisticated. A class act, including her news presenting.
SUPREME MAN
DuncanGarner, Newshub’s TheAMShow host
His snappy, happy-go-lucky approach to his wardrobe works a treat. Not afraid to wear colourful jackets, which seem to have become a trademark. A classy presenter who always looks sleek without coming off slick.