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Designer John Bartlett is today’s Worn Out Wednesday

Today we learn more about the New York based designer, John Bartlett:

Growing up in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio, the last thing I imagined for my career was fashion design. And yet, after graduating from Harvard University with a degree in sociology and a minor in night clubbing, I moved to New York City and started taking night classes in sewing and draping at F.I.T.  With so many kids studying women’s design, I decided to try my luck in menswear, a then sleepy and under-the radar part of the fashion scene.

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I started my own menswear label in 1992 with a super small collection that sold to Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys. As the decade unfolded my business grew and I also introduced womenswear and accessories into the picture. I have been honored twice by the CFDA with the award for best newcomer and the award for best menswear designer. I have had the wonderful opportunity to produce my pieces in Italy and even learned to speak the language, albeit at the level of a five year old.

Today my collection is sold exclusively with The Bon-Ton Stores under the label John Bartlett Consensus. I feel like I have come full circle design-wise. My first ideas were rooted in a rugged traditional American sensibility and now it is available to everyone at a price they can actually afford.

As for John’s personal style:

Jeans: Lately I’ve been totally into the GAP jean but not in the denim. Their classic slim jean is perfect in Bedford cord and other non-denim fabrications.

Shirts: If I am not wearing my own shirts from the John Bartlett Consensus collection at Bon-Ton then I’ll wear a classic Brooks Brother’s slim fit oxford cloth shirt, especially in unusual colors.

Pants: Believe it or not the only pants I own that are not suit pants are from Duluth trading company and I wear them strictly for gardening to protect from ticks and for walking dogs at the Yonkers shelter.

Suits: When I do wear a suit, it is from J Crew. I’ve found that their quality and price relationship is unbeatable.

Related: Vegan Designer Joshua Katcher. 

Shoes: Being a vegan, I don’t wear leather so I can typically be found wearing sneakers day and night. Right now Tretorn makes my go to shoe.

Accessories: I wear my handsome Ted Meuhling gold wedding band and just got both of my ears pierced so I plan to purchase some Ted Meuhling hoops once I can take out the training earrings.

Outerwear: I am obsessed with the down-free collection of winter coats at Patagonia. Down is not a humane source for me, so I prefer any outerwear that uses primaloft, which is a wonderful down alternative.

Favorite Cologne: I use essential oils that are also calming. Lately I have been wearing an oil called “valor.”

Your favorite App: I use an app called Insight Timer, which helps time my twice-daily vedic meditation practice. I definitely recommend checking it out!

Favorite piece of technology: My new iPhone 6 Plus

Next tech purchase: A go-pro!

Cator Sparks
Former Former Digital Trends Contributor, The Manual
Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering…
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