I met Svante Nybyggars some years ago on Instagram (links below) and then in person when he visited London from his native Sweden. He's a few years older than I am, but dresses in a much less conformist way, buying his clothes from around the world. He likes heritage workwear and military styles and, as you will see, looks great in them. I was interested to read his inspiration for his style, which he describes below. He's one of the best arguments I know against settling down to be too conventional sartorially as you age.
Svante Nybyggars @theurbanhippieswe does comfortable corduroy |
SN: My name is Svante Nybyggars but in social media I am better known as The Urban Hippie Swe. I turn 71 this year and am retired from my previous profession as a copywriter. Now I spend a lot of time on what I call aging with energy and style. I live in Malmö in southern Sweden and like to go to London. Unfortunately, this has not been possible during the pandemic. However, I can make the short train journey across the bridge to Copenhagen. The same bridge that became known through the TV series The Bridge.
Svante sports an A-1 jacket by The Real McCoy's |
GF: When and how did you first become interested in style, in clothes and dressing well?
SN: Already in my teens, I became interested in style. It was the 1960s and British pop culture was very inspiring. Bands like The Kinks, The Who and Small Faces where role models. I wanted to dress like them. The garments were not available for purchase in Sweden so my mother was kind and sewed clothes after pictures of the bands.
Svante likes military vintage |
GF: How would you describe your style?
SN: Today I am fond of heritage, workwear and military style. A consequence of having a life crisis when I turned 60 and wanted to know more about my roots. I looked at old pictures of ancestors and started dressing like them. They were fishermen, small farmers and soldiers. There were a lot of tweed caps, trousers, flannel shirts and rough boots.
GF: What sort of clothes do you wear and where do you find them?
SN: Nowadays I have broadened my style so it's not just workwear. However, I do not want to look too neat, rather a bit of a rugged guy. I have a large wardrobe and most of it I bought in London. But also in Tokyo, Berlin, Paris, Copenhagen and from stores in Sweden. Before the pandemic, I traveled to clothing fairs in the big cities and then took the opportunity to shop.
SN: Do you buy mainly ready to wear, tailored or vintage?
SN: I mainly buy ready to wear but also some vintage. Many of the brands are Japanese. Japan is a great power when it comes to denim and heritage. There is a book that tells why, it is called Ametora, how Japan saved American style. The Japanese make replicas that often surpass the originals.
Svante looking good in colourful knitwear |
GF: Please describe the main style influences in your life - past and present.
SN: In addition to being inspired by my ancestors, I find style influences online and in magazines such as Clutch Magazine, Men's File and Heritage Post. Only by walking around Europe's big cities can you see and be inspired. Even bum-look can give birth to certain ideas. I like a lot of what British designer Nigel Cabourn stands for. Culturally, I'm interested in modern jazz, but not so much when it comes to clothing style.
GF: What are your favorite brands and stores?
SN: Favorite brands include Japanese The Real McCoy's, British Nigel Cabourn, Italian 1srpatrn but also some Scandinavian brands such as Danish Andersen-Andersen. When it comes to bags, I like French Bleu de Chauffe.
SN: In addition to being inspired by my ancestors, I find style influences online and in magazines such as Clutch Magazine, Men's File and Heritage Post. Only by walking around Europe's big cities can you see and be inspired. Even bum-look can give birth to certain ideas. I like a lot of what British designer Nigel Cabourn stands for. Culturally, I'm interested in modern jazz, but not so much when it comes to clothing style.
GF: What are your favorite brands and stores?
SN: Favorite brands include Japanese The Real McCoy's, British Nigel Cabourn, Italian 1srpatrn but also some Scandinavian brands such as Danish Andersen-Andersen. When it comes to bags, I like French Bleu de Chauffe.
My favorite stores are mainly in London, such as Real McCoys, Nigel Cabourn Army Gym, Clutch Cafe London, Rivet and Hide and Son of a Stag. In Berlin Burg und Schild is a good shop and in Paris there is Jinji shop. Sweden also has several well-stocked stores such as Meadow and Hepcat, L’Usine Bleue, Second Sunrise and Goteborg Manufacture.
GF: What is / are your favorite individual item (s) of clothing?
SN: My most beloved garment is a green M-65 field jacket from The Real McCoy’s. It’s cool, fits with everything everything and has generous pockets. I have several similar military garments, such as M-43, M-48 and M-51. You could say I'm a sucker for military garments.
GF: What is / are your favorite individual item (s) of clothing?
SN: My most beloved garment is a green M-65 field jacket from The Real McCoy’s. It’s cool, fits with everything everything and has generous pockets. I have several similar military garments, such as M-43, M-48 and M-51. You could say I'm a sucker for military garments.
Svante Nybyggars @theurbanhippeswe |
GF: Would you say that your style is still developing? If so, how?
SN: Well, there is room to develop the style. I buy some blazers and neat shoes. In addition, I have told myself that I will wear a black motorcycle jacket when I turn 80.
GF: What skills would you say that you have that help you in your search for style?
SN: I am an outgoing person and make new contacts during my travels and via Instagram. I now know where to look to find the garments I am looking for.
SN: I am an outgoing person and make new contacts during my travels and via Instagram. I now know where to look to find the garments I am looking for.
I have been recognized on the streets of London and Tokyo by people who want to take selfies. Many young people write to me that they want to look like me as they get older. Probably because they feel that it does not have to be sad to grow old.
GF: What are your top tips for others on a search for style?
GF: What are your top tips for others on a search for style?
SN: Instagram is a good start. There you can find your community and the brands you like. Then there are also inspiring magazines for menswear or womenswear if you are a woman. I have also noticed that many women like selected menswear
GF: Where can you be found on Instagram and other media?
SN: On Instagram, my signature is @theurbanhippieswe Thanks to the fact that I'm a little older, there is also a bit of interest from the media. Not only in Sweden but also among foreign magazines. In Sweden, I will participate in a TV documentary, it will be shown nationally, probably in 2022.
GF: Many thanks, Svante, for sharing your wonderful style with us.
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