ON EARLY STYLE
Lisa: My style was pretty much nonexistent in childhood. When I wasn’t wearing my Catholic school uniform I was wearing whatever my mom bought me from Marshalls. By age 15 a few unrealized dreams had entered the picture: Hoping upon hope my mom would give in and buy me something (anything) from Esprit/Benetton/whatever the cool girls were wearing (it never happened). And by age 20—oh man this is a brutal tour of my worst years—I was all about ill-fitting Salvation Army finds, JNCOs and Adidas shelltoes. These days I’d describe my style as “classic,” which feels like an easy way out but it’s the God honest truth. I feel most comfortable in a pair of vintage jeans and a good t-shirt (preferably one I’ve had for 7+ years). Every once in awhile I’ll suffer from the temporary delusion that I can pull off whatever happens to be fashion but the fact that I can’t get behind clear accessories/white platform sneakers/neon precludes me from participating.
Jonathon: I grew up in Central New York in the early 90’s, so my style was pretty heavy into flannel shirts wrapped around my waist, jeans, Pacific Sunwear T-shirts and lots of gel in my hair. I was smack dab in the middle of punk rock years by age 15. I rocked a changing color palette for my hair, only shopped at second hand thrift shops and had a penchant for studded belts. At 20 I was living in Brooklyn and was still clinging to only buying second hand clothes. Money is tight when you are twenty. All that said, I was definitely transitioning into something a little more temperate. I wore a lot of Dickies and white undershirts. Today my style is something I try to not think about too hard. However if I was forced to label it… I‘d probably describe it as classic cool: Well-fitting shirts, hardy blue jeans worn in just right, and boots I can wear for years. If I like it, I buy it… and will probably buy multiples of it. I am OK spending a little money these days on shirts that are made well and fit well. The clothes that resonate with me are the ones I know I can wear for years and still feel good about. I have very little interest in any trends. In the most literal sense I guess you say I am always chasing Bruce Springsteen a la “Darkness on the Edge of Town”
The clothes that resonate with me are the ones I know I can wear for years and still feel good about. I have very little interest in any trends. - Jonathon
ON FIRST STYLE INVESTMENTS
Lisa: Both me and my bank account have a really, really hard time making big purchases. I almost always have immediate buyer’s remorse. My first, first time was probably a pair of “designer jeans” that I can barely remember anything about. It also could have been a Triple Five Soul hoodie that I absolutely wore into the ground.
Jonathon: I think the first time I ever spent “money” on clothes was when I purchased a pair of Diesel Jeans. This was probably 1999ish. Half my week’s paycheck at the time, but they fit like nothing I ever had. I loved those things and wore them everyday until they willed themselves into jorts.
ON STYLE INFLUENCES
Lisa: I’ve always had a soft spot for fashion—growing up I remember just eating up issues of Vogue and Mademoiselle (MADEMOISELLE! What a throwback!) and being so taken with Christy Turlington and Kate Moss and Shalom Harlow. Absolutely entranced. But those magazines really didn’t influence my style as much as they fostered my love of beautiful things. I guess I’d have to say that my style was probably shaped by friends and acquaintances and strangers I walked past on the street. Maybe subconsciously my parents had something to do with it. If I was to show you old photos of my mom and dad you’d just think that they were some super cool couple from Brooklyn. My mom saved a lot of her old clothes and I’ve slowly but surely taken almost every single one of her vintage pieces. My dad still wears the same pair of aviator sunglasses he wore when I was a kid.
Jonathon: My wife is probably my biggest influence, she’s pretty honest about her “thumbs up/thumbs down” policy. I feel like my parents were pretty hip to the times. I see pictures from my dad rocking long hair in the 60’s and 70’s, tube socks, and incredibly short shorts. Ha! My mom was pretty fashionable too (shoulder pads and all).
THREE THINGS WITH JONATHON + LISA
Three careers you’d pursue if not for your current profession:
Jonathon: Baker, national park ranger, something in hospitality
Lisa: Restaurant critic, agent, dancer/singer/performer (this triple hyphenate only works if actual skill/talent has nothing to do with it).
Three songs we should stream today:
Jonathon: “Know My Name” by The Bones of J.R. Jones (duh), “Chocolate Jesus” by Tom Waits, “Clay Pigeons” Blaze Foley
Three words you overuse:
Lisa: I. Am. Freezing.
Your uniform in three pieces:
Jonathon: Black Jeans, black button down, Red Wing Iron Rangers, Stetson hat. That’s four...but the Stetson is kind of key.
Lisa: Vintage jeans, favorite t-shirt/tank top, clogs
PSA NYC: If you want to see Jonathon perform (and we highly recommend it) he’s playing at Mercury Lounge on February 28th. Tickets available here.
Thank you Jonathon + Lisa!
Jonathon + Lisa were photographed at The Sill in Brooklyn, New York by Taylor Jewell
