Finding People (Anthony Jackson)

Color and Poetry

His sneakers are red
His blazer is blue
His tie is on straight
And his watch is too

I’m not much of a poet, but I’ve always had a great appreciation for rhyme. Every culture has a different kind of beat. Whether that’s a tempo, a pattern, or a flow, we all find ourselves marching to it. These beats exist in all kinds of ways. We find rhythms going to and from work. We find rhythms in our relationships where we share words that encourage or actions that support someone else. We find rhythms in our music from the bass to the treble. We even find rhythms in our wardrobes within the harmony of each individual piece. But wherever you may find these rhythms, each one tells us a story.

Anthony Jackson

Meet Anthony L. Jackson or as his deserving moniker goes “Astute.Cool”

Anthony is a friend of mine that I’ve had the pleasure of knowing through the Mashburn brand over the last few years. He’s the type of man who will show up out of nowhere and always have a compliment to share to you or an interesting idea to explore. Everyone loves his undeniable passion for finding rhythm, which is usually expressed in his wardrobe. Since I met Anthony, it’s been easy to see his love of color pallets and fabrics. He even has a dedicated social platform to it.

One of the not so obvious rhythms about Anthony however, is his love for poetry. His wide variety of accessories may constantly change, but his heart stays steady on his sleeve when it comes to his writing. Anthony often times writes poetry to express his feelings, whatever the topic may be, it doesn’t really matter to him. Sometimes his rhythm is slow, and other times it may feel like double time, but whatever it is, he’s trying to find the harmony within life and the telling of his story through pen and paper.

I myself have always been the type of individual to find different ways of expression; most often through music and clothing. That being said, it was easy for me to be drawn to learn more about Anthony, due to our shared passions for both sound and color. The intermingling of the two, both wardrobe and rhythm, are often times separate, but joining them together creates a space that tells the story of an individual that words cannot often times fully express. I sat down with Anthony recently to talk with him about how these two things blend together, and what they mean to him.

What got you interested in fashion?

“I think for me, it was just finding my own identity. I didn’t dress myself in like elementary and middle school. Like my parents just sort of bought stuff that they thought I would like. I think eventually somewhere along the way between middle and high school I started picking out my own stuff, and it really sort of snowballed from there. I don’t even particularly remember any sort of watershed moment. Matter of fact, I tried things that didn’t work and then I started figuring out what did. Like I loved wearing ties, even in high school, but I was always the only one. But even then I was wearing like poplin shirts, ties, and like baggy chinos with sneakers, which amazingly is stylish now, but back then, not so much. But I’d say it really got started in high school when I’d wear button up shirts and ties; just dressing up pretty often. Like I realized I like to dress like that. I didn’t mind identifying as a “nerd.” I wasn’t really trying to look the part, but I sort of did anyway, and I was okay with it, and it really sort of just took off from there. I didn’t really get deep into it, until I started working at a department store. I started working at Dillards in the early 2000s, like right after I graduated and just being at the fragrance counter, but I was near the polo section. I became a polo head real quick, and most guys you probably know who are in fashion, probably cut their teeth as polo heads in the beginning also. To the point that a lot of guys here in Atlanta started off visiting or working at the Ralph Lauren store when it was at Lenox mall. It’s your first taste of like timeless, where it’s like *this basic polo from today would also match the chinos from 20 years ago, or a club blazer from way back when, and the crest still looks good today.* Even some of the ties, he made back in the 70s, the early ties, they’re super wide but those colors still look good today. As a matter of fact, I just found one of those old wide ties at goodwill recently. Still looks good. So you start putting things together when, *these things are classic, these things are new, but they all match.* Then you start figuring out your own taste, and that really snowballs really quickly. So it really started in middle to high school and then really took off from there.”

How would you describe your style?

“I would say, somewhere between preppy and ivy. Most people would tend to just call me preppy and I’m usually okay with it, because I definitely love some of the prep tenants like Oxford, specifically the university striped oxford is my favorite, hands down shirt of all time. And honestly I’ve really gotten to a point where I really build my wardrobe based off of what looks good with oxfords. I would say it’s a very distilled form of preppy ivy style. I don’t draw a huge distinction between the two. If I’m more casual it’s definitely a little more ivy, like a sweatshirt but still with an Oxford underneath. But if I wanna go get dressed up, it’s probably going to look very preppy, but still kind of ivy in the sense of herringbone jacket, like dead poets society type of situation. But I would say I’m definitely like a distilled version of preppy or Ivy. For the most part I tend to buy like rep ties, more pattern ties, I don’t do a ton of paisley. I’m not against it, but I try to keep it very clean and crisp, and I like to let the lead singer sing. If I got like a nice jacket on, the rest might be toned down or if I got like a really nice tie, I’ll tone down the jacket and the shirt. Maybe it’s the shoes, so I’m gonna have to have a very simple color palette that will lead you right down to the shoes.”

What brings meaning to your poetry?

“It’s two fold. For one, it’s honoring the gift itself. Like the process of writing to me is more important than the outcome. I wouldn’t say it was always like that, but as I’ve gotten older like in wisdom, I see that just writing in general, like if you have a need or drive and desire to do it it’s more important to just do it and the results are what they are. I was listening to Rick Rubin recently and he said that “as a creative person, your job is really just to honor the gift.” Like focusing on the outcome is really gonna rob you of everything you’re supposed to experience and do as an artist. You’re not going to take the risk or you’re not going to listen to yourself. You’re just going to be focused on what do people like, not what you like. And when you make what you like and what you feel you are supposed to do or even destined to do, there’s nothing wrong that can come from that, like you’ve fulfilled yourself and you have honored your gift. That’s bigger than making something everyone will like.
And two, there’s a quote about how art is supposed to really make people feel like they’re not alone. And that’s the other part for me. If I can write about something and you can read it and when you read it you’re like “wow this is actually how I feel” or “I’ve felt this exact way” that’s what it was for. I think definitely poetry or any other kind of writing can make you feel like you are not alone. *Like man, you know what, I’ve been through this. Like here’s a perfect song that’s exactly how I feel or this is the exact chord progression that explains the vibes that I’m feeling right now.* It’s our job as people who create to create things that not only have meaning to us but have meaning to others. We’re telling stories that are not really ours to tell. We just have the means and capabilities to do so. And being able to do that for people is amazing some times to write something, where I’ve described a situation in a way that other people can relate to and enjoy and if I can give you that moment of enjoyment for a moment, then I’ll keep on writing until I can’t do it no more.”

How do you feel poetry and fashion intertwine?

“Storytelling. I think storytelling is really the undercurrent of personal style, at least for me, because its what story you are telling people when they see you. When you get to a certain place with how your personal style is, every time you leave the house you’re saying something about yourself and you’re comfortable with that. Whether it’s wearing a tie for no reason, that means the story you are telling yourself is that you look nice. Someone else may look at you and think the same thing versus something else. Especially, a lot of people want to say, “how you dress shouldn’t matter,” which no one is going to disagree, but unfortunately we live in a world where it does, so why not tell a story. I think that’s the biggest thing especially when you start getting into fabrics and patterns and colors. With that, you can really tell stories about your own taste level. Like *oh, this guy is wearing dupioni silk and sharkskin loafers* for example. That says something about him, especially if I recognize it. Now if I don’t, I might just think he looks nice, but even that’s coloring my perception of you even before we speak and if we never speak I can just say I walked by a well dressed man. I don’t know your story, you could be miserable on the inside, but aspire something positive to you and that may be what you need to hear that day. Sometimes compliments go a long way because you got other stuff going on but that’s the story you’ve written which is now being told back to you which is an amazing thing that can happen. Definitely for me, it’s all about storytelling, and hopefully you’re giving them a positive judgment.”

Who are some fashion accounts that inspire you?

“One jumps out. Terry Corbett.
I heard of him through someone who used to work at the Ralph Lauren store who said “this guy is who you should follow to really know some things.” And Terry has really been upping his content game recently. He’s like a master clothier if you will. He bespokes everything that he wears. He makes a lot of educational videos where he’s like “this lapel is this exact width in centimeters. My cuff is this width. I’m wearing this fabric, I’m wearing blue clay, I’m wearing wool and cashmere so it’ll be a little bit lighter.” He’s making videos about the decadence of what he wears but also the education of, if you don’t know, I’m gonna tell you or if you want to know more, you can ask me or at least research on these fabrics and what this is. And I think that’s huge. Menswear should not be unapproachable. There shouldn’t be any raising of noses or I wear custom suits, you wear off the rack so we’re not the same. It shouldn’t be like that. Because at the end of the day the clothes really don’t make the man. It can be fun to dress them up, but at the end of the day they don’t really make you who you are. So it’s fun to see someone who’s at the highest level, this man who’s getting clients and going through custom fabrics who makes it so approachable which is amazing. If you’re not educating people, just walking around looking nice, it’s not the same. So I’m trying to follow more approachable accounts now.”

Who are some poets that you recommend?

“What’s crazy, is I don’t read a lot of poetry very often, but in grade school Langston Hughs is who hit me the most, because it was cool to see him writing in slang, but still had amazing poetry.”

What got you started in Poetry?

“It’s a day I won’t forget and most others won’t forget either. It was actually September 11th 2001. I was in the 6th grade, I was in class of social studies and Mr. Cook brought in the tv on the rolling cart but it wasn’t for our viewing pleasure. He put the news on so we could see what was happening that day. I remembered thinking, *I love Saturday morning cartoons but there are no heroes to stop this or save anybody,* and it was hard for me to reconcile that as a child. I was always very intelligent for my age and so from a maturity level of course I knew those heroes weren’t real, but it was hard for me to look at that and realize there is nobody coming to save these people. No offense to like FDNY and so on, but there’s like no one that I would watch hero wise coming to save these people. So I had a lot of feelings about it and ended up writing a poem. And that was the first poem I had ever written. I had never even considered being a writer at that point, it literally just happened. I ended up taking the poem back to school where my teachers passed it around and they loved it so much that they blew it up, laminated it and put it on the wall in the hallway at school. I still have that laminated copy at home. And from then on I just have been listening to my feelings and writing whatever I need to feel. But it was very organic for me and I try not to lose sight of that. It came out a need to express. That’s why I keep my journal with me.”

As a city explorer, what’s your go to restaurant that you’d recommend?

“I can’t lie, its real simple, but it’s Grindhouse Killer Burgers. Just for like an every day, go in, get some fries for a regular meal, it’s Grindhouse. Outside of that, I love Southern National and How Crispy in Summerhill. Two very passionate places of business, with passionate chefs. I’m always chasing places where I can tell the people who cook it or design the menu really love what they do because that comes out in the food. I’m more of a regular than an explorer to be honest with you. Like if I find something I like, I’ll just keep going back. Because I know what I’m going to get in terms of the energy behind it. There are so many places where it looks cool and feels nice, and it may taste good, but it doesn’t have that same soul to it.
At Grindhouse i usually get chili, cheese, and bacon on my burger in some form or fashion. Usually I’ll start with one of their based options and make a couple of changes depending on how I’m feeling.
There’s also a Korean bbq placed called Krave. The beef bowl is something I eat like 3 times a week for lunch and its never bad and always the same exact deliciousness every time.
I like being a regular at places, because when you know it’s good, it’s good.”

What’s your safety piece in your wardrobe? Something that will always look good.

“I would say, it’s kind of a tie between a good navy blazer and a textured sport coat. Those are two things I will always reach for. I’ve had so much fun this past fall and winter acquiring those types of tweeds and other wool coats from goodwill. Even found a 100% cashmere one before. And anytime I really just want to put something on I’ll reach for a textured sport coat. For me texture is huge. I’m a self proclaimed fabric nerd and I don’t even know all the fabrics in the world, but there are things that happen when you see certain fabrics and you may not recognize it, but you’re noticing it. They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder but at the same time it’s innate. We know things. So you can see certain colors and patterns and just know, “that works.” Even if you don’t like it, it does work, it does function. Like I love wearing a charcoal cashmere jacket I found. I love wearing it because its soft to the touch but you can look at it and see that it’s soft. Or like a good silk linen and you can see that somethings happening. Also a navy blazer; it’s a prep classic. A navy blazer with the gold button, you really can’t go wrong with. I have three of them now, one is a different shade of blue than the other, one is lined and the other is half lined, and a wool one as well. I mean also a navy blazer goes with everything; jeans, chinos, dress pants, whatever, and with me being an Oxford guy, what goes better? You can still wear sneakers with it too, loafers, which I guess is my other go to piece which is loafers. I’m at a point now here I want to start collecting loafers like sneakers, because I have sneakers I still haven’t worn because I just love loafers. You slip them on, especially when they get worn in, it’s like wearing something that’s made for you. And I understand now why some guys will buy like Gucci loafers and wear them into the ground. So yeah, a navy blazer, a textured sport coat or a pair of loafers.”

Favorite accessory?

“Neckwear. I don’t have as many bandanas and scarfs as I would like to have; different colors and patterns and different sizes. Like I got a really nice silk scarf, like a Drakes style scarf I got from Mashburn like a year to two ago. I love that thing because its big, colorful and got that pattern to it. But neckwear in general. Wearing a tie can change an outfit. Oh, and pocket squares. Neckwear and pocket squares are very deliberate decisions. You can wear different pocket squares to pull out colors or a pattern pocket square to match another pattern. That’s when it gets really fun. I wouldn’t say its high level fashion but its very intentional. You start doing that, number one you’ll have fun getting dressed and two, you’re definitely conveying to other people that there is a taste level here. There's something harmonious about it and for me harmony is a big key. Because people will notice things whether or not they intend to notice them. Just like Brandon Baker at the Mashburn store; he was debating on getting an olive knit tie from us last year and I was like “Brandon, your eyes are green, get the olive tie and people won’t realize that your eyes and the tie are in harmony, people won’t realize why it looks good but they’re going to feel a way about it.” And I feel like that happens more often than not. Thats even like Andre 3000 wearing the striped overalls, with the red beanie, the camo shirt, and the black Jordan 3s. Nobody else would probably put it all together, but because it’s him, he’s eclectic and he is who he is. You just see it and it’s like “something about that works.” That’s just what he feels comfortable in and its just cool. I think for me that’s one of the biggest things I try and convey to people about personal style is that it’s literally personal. If you wear what you’re comfortable in and confident in, honestly, comfort and confidence will just make it work, and it doesn’t have to work for anybody but you.”

What do you start with when building an outfit?

“I used to own too much stuff and I didn’t know where to start, so I figured I gotta get some of that stuff up and out of here. Now that I’ve kind of distilled it a little bit, it really depends on how I’m feeling, or what the weather is like. Like if it’s a rainy day I’m probably going to start with “what jacket am I wearing?” But it really depends on the day and where I’m going, because it’s still storytelling regardless. Like when I’m going to work I want to convey that I care about how I look. Or if I’m going out, I want to convey that I like to dress a certain way. Sometimes you can tell if someone is dressing outside of their norm. Like the clothes will be wearing them a little bit. It’s kind of hard to articulate but when you see it, you know. But I would say more often than not, I would be starting with the shirt, the tie, or jacket. If I have new shoes, it’ll usually start there too.”

What can’t you leave home without?

“You know I try not to leave home without a watch and my pinky ring. I usually prefer my watch to be as deliberate a choice as the neckwear or pocket square. Like if there’s a little bit of red in my outfit, I like my watch to have a little red sharkskin strap, or if there’s lots of colors I'll add a brown or white strap to the watch. The pinky ring is just a deliberate thing that you tend to remember seeing. It’s silver with like a bullseye but the middle is black and the outer ring is brown and the rest of it is silver. It’s not like a weird gaudy thing, it just sort of blends. I was thrifting with my ex girlfriend and it was just sitting at the counter and I was like “this is cool” and I put it on my pinky which was the only finger it would fit on, and I was like “would you sell this?” And the clerk was like “yeah, it’s $5.” I go home and look it up because I could kind of make out an inscription. It was made by a very famous Spanish jewelry maker back in like the 60s or 70s and it’s legit real silver, ebony and rosewood. It’s cool to just wear it and remember the thrifting spirit of finding it. You never know when you’ll find some serendipity.”

What’s your writing set up?

“I’ve always wanted to be more formal with writing but it has never been a formal thing, especially with how I began. I guess my writing set up is keeping my journal with me, because the process of writing something on paper, is you literally cannot write it as quickly as you’re thinking it, so it gives you a chance to go over it as you’re transcribing it so you get a really pure form of expression. So I try and give myself as many opportunities as possible.”

Recommended listening?

“I will say lately I’ve been finding inspiration in some of the old standards like Nat King Cole and Nancy Wilson. Because they were singing poems back then. Also their voices were just that great; there wasn’t a lot of production to it. You had a band and a great voice and that was it. That and instrumentals too. There’s a guy by the name of Carrtoons, that I ran into his music recently. Even Jazz, like Chet Baker, Miles Davis, and John Coletrane for sure. I didn’t really like Chet Baker's singing voice but some of the soundscapes of his music, sounds like he’s in a dark room with smoke and well dressed people all the time. So those guys and lots of instrumentals.”