Turning a vision into a tangible form is the task of the craftsman, but it often becomes the mission of others to tell their untold stories. Suzan, founder and editor-in-chief of Outfit Narrative, is one of those guys, relentlessly exploring menswear’s history and archives with passion.

In this interview, he opens the doors to his universe and reveals his vision of style…

Your work on Outfit Narrative reflects a deep understanding of timeless men’s fashion. Could you tell us about your stylistic influences?

I take the most inspiration from people with strong personal style, from historic figures to fictional characters, but also from people I see and meet every day. When I was younger, I got a lot of inspiration from movies. I noticed that some characters made a stronger impression or had a distinct presence, partly due to what they wore. In older movies, you can notice that men have a very masculine energy, and part of that is also because of what they wear. It doesn’t matter if they wear denim, military pieces, or a suit, you notice the difference in the fit and how it affects their body language. So I was interested in learning what the difference is between these classic pieces and styles compared with modern clothing.

You create outfits in the form of clear, visually engaging collages. Can you tell us about the idea behind this creative approach?

At one point, I decided to organize my closet and figure out the most possible combinations with pieces I already have - which pieces work together and which don’t. The easiest way was to create simple, collage style combinations that I saw in magazines, but I quickly realized that it doesn’t have the same effect if you just randomly put all the pieces together. You get better feel of the whole outfit if you place them in the same order as you see them on the person wearing it - from top to bottom. I found this system very helpful and thought others would appreciate it as well, so I started posting my outfit ideas in this more structured format on Instagram.

Choosing the right outfit can definitely have an impact on how we feel. How does the quality of the products you select play a role in this experience?

I think the first thing is knowing that they were made by people who genuinely care about the product and made it the best they possibly could. So wearing it is also, in a way, showing respect to this craft and people who made it. This is becoming increasingly rare today, as everything is being replaced by machines and AI. What really makes a difference in our day are the interactions and moments we share with others, and you can feel when somebody has put a lot of care into making something. Unfortunately, with so much fast fashion, people are beginning to forget this.

To take it a bit further, it’s not only about the quality of the garment, but everything it stands for. Classic clothes are mostly made from natural fabrics like wool, denim, or leather, and these fabrics take more time to be made. Some of these processes have been used for hundreds of years and can’t be sped up without compromising quality. Most of them involve a lot of manual labor, which is another reason why they cost more. These skills are passed down from generation to generation, and many of those producers are long-standing family businesses carried on from one generation to the next, and often also provide jobs for the local community. So I want to see these traditions continue.

I believe style comes first, then a good fit, and after that comes the quality. If the pieces don’t work well together, having the perfect fit won’t save the outfit. And if the clothes don’t pair well, or if you don’t have the right fit, wearing quality pieces won’t really improve the outfit.

But quality products will last longer. With more wear, they will shape to your body, and the fabrics will start to show wear and age, which creates a unique character and makes the garment your own. That’s why most quality pieces always look better when they are well-worn. Over time, you will get attached to these pieces, so you will take better care of them and have them repaired or tailored when needed, which is also one of the reasons they last longer.

Your ethical approach informs your editorial choices. What new areas would you like to explore and share with your readers?

I write about style, and though it’s mostly about clothes, style is much more than that. Some people won’t remember what you wore, but they will remember your scent, or that you had a very interesting ring or glasses. It takes more than a good outfit to be confident and feel good, so taking care of your body and mind is very important, that is why I also share my approach to training. I plan to focus more on fragrances and jewellery, especially watches and rings. I would also like to spend more time traveling, not just to meet new people, but to enjoy meals and hotels created with the same appreciation for thoughtful design, quality, and attention to detail, and share those experiences with my audience. I’m interested in many different things, but with only 24 hours in a day, I’ll take it step by step.