Matt Barbet is a TV presenter and journalist in the UK, working for the BBC, ITV and now Sky. He is also a keen cyclist, and we met years ago at a Rapha event, back when we were both more into cycling than we are now.
Matt is a student and loves menswear. The overlap between that and his work is something I’ve always liked, given the obvious platform where presentation is important – where you strive to give a certain impression to the viewer, whether it’s the determination of a newsreader or the humor of a conversation.
It was fun talking to Matt about the limitations of being on TV and presenting in the field, and it reminded me of the student profile we did.and Patrick Dawsonin the past. I hope you find the idea of menswear interesting.
Property 1
- Clothing: The trunk is made to measure
- Shirt: Emmet made to measure
- Bond: Anglo-Italian
- Glasses: Moscot
- Shoes: Edward Green
PS: Matt, I think you chose this first outfit to represent the kind of thing you wear on TV most of the time. Why this combination?
MB: Well, usually you want to look classy and not wear anything that distracts the viewer. So it’s muted and dark, usually with a white shirt and black tie. Patterns can be distracting or create a bit of glare on camera – I have a Prince of Wales tie that I really like but that doesn’t work so well. A full-bodied Dogtooth is the same.
We were told to avoid red, as that bleeds through the screen, but TVs are better now and it’s not really possible. However, it is generally a rule not to wear green when in front of a green screen. The word “it keys”, the color does, which means the camera does not capture it.
Some presenters have made it part of their brand to wear daring clothes, such as Channel 4 anchor Jon Snow. Asad Ahmad on BBC London also wears an interesting shirt/tie combination.
Yes, I knew Jon before he retired and those ties were hand painted, most of them. Perhaps the older presenters find more freedom in expressing their feelings. People are definitely more aware now that how much of what they wear is part of their personal brand.
What else makes a good TV suit?
Soft shoulders are usually best, as they can get awkward if you’re sitting down, often with your jacket buttoned up. If you have broad shoulders it can be emphasized by that position and structure.
In terms of length, you might think that a shorter jacket would be better if you’re sitting, but you actually need length for the jacket to drape properly. You also have to think about battery packs that are usually clipped to the back of your pants.
Where is this suit from?
This is done in Trunk, the latest commission. There is a nice texture in the fabric – from Dugdale – and in the Anglo tie too, which also has a small area, but it is subtle.
The shirt is a white twill from Emmett. I’ve always loved Emmett’s shirts, and this is my favorite collar – the ‘King’. Most presenters wear spreads, so this is unusual.
Do other presenters ask you what you are wearing?
It’s rare, although a co-worker recently asked where my shoes are from. When I told him they were John Lobb he looked up, his response was ‘I have no blood to pay for that for a pair of shoes!’
Interestingly, shoes are one thing that people tend to overlook a lot, because they are behind the desk all the time. But it feels strange to me not to think of everything.
Ah yes, newsreader look – articlethe first episode of PS. Do you know anyone who does that, wearing a suit on top but jeans or something under the table?
No, I’m not afraid!
Property 2
- Collection: Anglo-Italian
- The Knit: John Smedley, a collaboration of Bill Nighy
- Shoes: Carmina
- Sunglasses: Celine
So this dress looks similar, but it’s very comfortable. I think that was done on purpose?
Yes, this is what I wear in more relaxed formats. Tomorrow I’m doing a show called UK Tonight for example, which is very chatty, and I might wear a navy sweater like this under a suit.
It’s amazing how much people still hate that – they respond so strongly when male news readers don’t pay attention at all. Women are a little easier, they can wear anything from a denim shirt to a suit and tie, and that’s fine. The flip side is that they have to spend a lot of time on hair and make up though.
He has a short beard now, was that part of the look?
It just happened. I actually brought it back after a vacation – cut close like this, with my neck shaved – from a previous job. Within a few minutes the controller had called the show and told me to take it away. It didn’t really happen during the three-minute commercial break, and it seems I haven’t made it since.
Is there someone at the station who is in charge of the style?
Yes there is a stylist and she is adorable. I’m new to Sky but when he got the idea that I knew what I was doing, he left me alone a lot. He gave me advice like not wearing too much movement, and not wearing brown suits – not the color of news, obviously.
Do you have a budget to spend on clothes?
What sewing brands have you used?
I shopped at Kilgour a lot back in the day, when Carlo Brandelli was there. I loved that one-button look, and I actually got married in a Kilgour tux. I’ve used Richard James, Thom Sweeney, although Trunk is probably my go-to place the most; I have known Mats and Tyler for a long time [Mats Klingberg and Tyler Brulé, founders of Trunk and Monocle respectively.]
I note that the knit comes from Smedley’s collaboration with Bill Nighy, who told me he was a student. Do you know him well?
We have met a few times and I talked to him once. I also listen to his podcast, ‘Ill-advised’, which is excellent. He’s obviously playing a caricature of himself, but it comes across very well.
He was also good in the interview, which is not always the case. He and Mark Rylance remain the most honest of the conversations I’ve had. Mark was the artistic director of the Globe Theater when I met him, so he hadn’t won an Oscar yet, and I remember him being very generous with his time. One time he showed me how to get my voice out into the world, as we stood on the stage looking at all the empty seats. It was such a joy.
Are you a clock person?
Not really, even if I had money I probably would have. This is the only watch I have – I’ve had it for 18 years. I got money from my grandparents and this is what I bought. It’s probably a bit big on trends these days, but I love it.
What would you buy if you could get a second watch?
Maybe Date-Date or Datejust, something simple. Although I would be tempted to make the President out of all the gold.
Property 3
- Jacket: Vintage US Army bush jacket
- Shirt: Kenneth Field chambray
- Jeans: Boncoura
- Shoes: Wakouwa
- Belt: Unknown!
Now I know this is your work outfit, but it reminds me to ask what you wear outside of the studio – because you covered Afghanistan didn’t you?
I did so, along with the famine in Ethiopia, and Haiti. That was years ago, and I ruined a good pair of shoes by wearing too much! Although an example that comes to mind is doing a patch in the King’s garden at Highgrove – I didn’t expect to be outside and it was very muddy. I pretty much wear rubber soles these days.
What did you wear when you were in the field abroad?
A black shirt, probably navy. It is good to wear dark clothes as they do not show sweat and dirt. Some colleagues like to wear a keffiyeh scarf, but that didn’t feel right to me. Brands like The North Face and Patagonia come up a lot, although you usually want to avoid showing off the products.
Everyone usually has a uniform that they keep in a bag at home, ready to go. Always two passports there – as you may be in Israel one week and Syria the next.
You can never wear a military outfit like this jungle jacket, I guess?
No, if only because it might make you look more military than oppressive.
This dress is more than what I wear at home, and I like to go to the office in it too. I usually leave the suits and shoes there and drive up from my home in Lewes in casual clothes. The last two nights are a real nightmare, as I’ve been doing ‘The Wrap’, which ends at midnight, and at night many roads are closed, so it takes me ages to get back.
Another advantage of dressing casually most of the time is that you are invisible. I’m probably D-list when it comes to celebrities, but I get spotted sometimes and it’s unlikely that I’d have something like this.
What are your favorite casual brands?
Many Japanese – I’m a fan of Marrkt, I love their daily emails. This chambray shirt was from there, and it’s great – cheap and already worn, which makes chambray look even better.
I’ve been getting into blankets, and back in the day I was a great coach guy. Nikes best ever AirMax 97s, silver bullets, came out when I was 21. I think I bought them almost every time they were released actually, although now I tend to wear more canvas shoes like these Wakouwas, or actually loafers – I’m after a nice pair of tassel loafers. Sometimes jean trainers are too ‘bad’.
And the PS tote bag I see?
Yes, I love youtote you didhard used but looks almost new. The only stain I couldn’t deal with was the candle wax – although I don’t have a problem with it anyway.
I have it tooyour black and white coat dogalthat is a timeless piece, we get a lot of compliments.
It’s lovely to hear. Was it hard to find a bush jacket?
I was checking the time, yes. I was after the Medium Regular, and of course that is the most popular size. What I got was Long Medium, Short Medium. I finally found this one at a huge flea market north of Paris. If you actually get them from markets like that they are very cheap though.
I also entered the jacket label in ChatGPT to try to create it, and it was very informative. It was established in 1966 or soon after. It must not have been worn at all, it is soft but has no damage or stains or anything at all.
Thanks Matt, it’s been a great pleasure.
Same here Simon, well done.