For the latest instalment in our Classic Men’s Looks series, The Man About Town, we spent the day with Blackpool-based content creator Matthew Spade (@mat_buckets).
Matthew notices things. A well-designed public space, an old jacket, a poster on the street or the way somebody has put an outfit together. His work moves between menswear, interiors, travel and photography, sharing the people, places and objects that catch his eye. Although his interests are broad, a fascination with design runs through them all.
“Design tends to be the pull that brings everything together,” he says. “My aim is simply to share things that I find interesting and eye-catching, bringing them to a broad audience through my way of creating. I try to be as open, honest and realistic as possible.”
Good design works with you
Matthew talks about design in practical terms. How something looks is important, but so is how well it fits into everyday life.
“Much of design is problem-solving, whether that’s public spaces, product design or the way you make your coffee in the morning. It should work with a lifestyle rather than jar against it.”
Not everything has to solve a problem, of course. A poster, flyer or unfamiliar object might be interesting simply because it catches your attention. For the things we use, however, appearances only tell part of the story.
“Something can look great, but as soon as you use it once, you can be left questioning some of the choices. Sometimes you don’t need to notice good design. It just works.”
He feels much the same about signs of age and use. A scratch or repair does not necessarily take anything away from an object. Often, it makes it more personal.
“I love how things change and grow over time, so I don’t see a scratch or a repair as an issue. Those are the things that hold on to stories.”
Looking in the right places
Travel has played a large part in developing Matthew’s interest in design. Copenhagen remains particularly important to him.
“It will take some beating for me. It’s the city that opened my eyes to a new way of appreciating the design world. I think one thing that really stands out about the Danes as a whole is their exposure and understanding of craft from a very early age.”
Amsterdam was another city that left a strong impression, particularly on his most recent visit.
“A trip to Amsterdam last summer blew my mind with how much they’ve got right there. I’ve been four times, but it was on this last trip that I really started to understand it. I think we’re seeing a similar thing happen here in Manchester too. It no longer feels like a pocket of creativity; the whole city is growing at a rapid speed.”
The cities with the biggest reputations are only part of it. Matthew grew up in an area where support for the arts has often been limited, so he is especially interested in people finding their own ways to make things happen. He has found similar communities in smaller cities across Europe, often away from the places visitors are usually directed towards.
“I truly believe you can find good stuff anywhere. And if you didn’t, maybe look again.”
Time spent in Italy, Spain and Portugal has also shaped how Matthew thinks about clothes. He likes the ease with which people dress there, and the way clothes are worn for the conditions rather than treated too preciously.
“Things are worn for years, faded by the sun and fixed as you go. It’s not a fashion show. It’s just part of your life.”
Dressing like yourself
Matthew describes his style as “relaxed, weather-centric, practical, trad sportswear”. There is no grand theory behind it. He wears what feels right and what works for the day.
“It’s about wearing what makes you feel yourself, rather than a costume to portray something else.”
His references come from a broad mix of music, sport, television and the interests he has picked up along the way.
“I was always more interested in what people were wearing on telly than the actual story. I researched different things, from music genres and sports to more niche subjects like garment making, collecting, computer games and TV.”
Over the past couple of years, his wardrobe has moved towards a darker palette.
“Navy, grey, brown and black have started to become a bit of a uniform, then I can add a bit of colour through caps and accessories. It’s making me love my wardrobe again.”
Texture helps keep that relatively simple palette interesting. Worn denim, knitwear and suede can all change the feel of an outfit without taking it too far away from the practical way Matthew likes to dress.
The Havard
Trainers and casual footwear have traditionally been Matthew’s preference. More recently, he has started introducing traditional shoes into his wardrobe, and the Tricker’s Havard Loafer felt familiar from the first moment.
“As soon as I put them on, they made me feel good. They already felt like my shoes.”
During the shoot, Matthew compared them to the vintage blue work jacket he was wearing. Both had that comfortable, already-owned quality, even though they were new to him.
That ease is part of the lasting appeal of a penny loafer. It has been worn across different decades, cultures and styles, without becoming tied to any one of them.
“It’s an item that can be placed within any time period, on people with different styles and from different cultures.”
The chocolate Repello suede gives the Havard a relaxed appearance that works naturally with Matthew’s wardrobe. Its rich brown colour sits easily alongside navy, grey and black, while the suede adds another texture to the outfit.
“They feel right for my style,” he says. “I love how suede loafers look. They add a bit of texture to an outfit that might need a little extra help.”
Matthew still wears trainers, but shoes like the Havard no longer feel as though they need to be saved for smarter occasions. He can wear them with the same trousers, denim and everyday layers already in his wardrobe.
Knowing where something comes from matters to him too. The Havard is made from start to finish in our Northampton factory, as every pair of Tricker’s shoes and boots has been since 1829.
“No secrets and no information left out. Knowing more about an item helps me gravitate towards a brand.”
Built to be worn, lived in, and repaired, the Havard shares the qualities Matthew values in the rest of his wardrobe. It will soften, change and become more personal with time, gathering its own stories along the way.
Follow Matthew at @mat_buckets on socials, read The Big Salad on Substack, and find his video work through It’s Nice That.
