The Essence of a Classic Gentleman

For years, Jan Adamski has been writing on his blog about the secrets of men’s elegance. He tells Michał Zieliński why he chooses classic style and what it means today, why you’ll never see him in jeans, and why dressing up—and wearing a blazer—still matters for men.

We met at an event for men’s fashion bloggers. I get the impression that today you’re one of the last ones still running a blog.
That’s true. A blog is an ephemeral thing, and many of those who started ten years ago are no longer in the game. But I’ve stuck with it. Maybe because I started later in life and I just really enjoy it. I love connecting with readers, and it brings me a lot of joy.

Your style seems to have stayed very consistent over the years. Do you think it has stood the test of time?
I’ve always referred back to classic men’s elegance, and classic style doesn’t really change—though of course there are small nuances. Ten years ago, I liked bold, intense colors. Today, I prefer more muted tones and subtle combinations, but it’s still classic elegance.

Do you think classic elegance has become more of a hobby?
I think it’s already there. We used to have a No Tie Day. Today that makes no sense—we’d be better off establishing a Tie Day.

Maybe fashion is cyclical and will come back around to the classics?
It always has been—fashion is cyclical. So maybe that’ll happen here too.

Are you a prisoner of your own style? It’s rare to see you in anything but a suit and tie.
I simply like dressing this way. I feel good when I’m wearing a suit and tie. Of course, there are times I don’t wear them—like when I go for walks, which I try to do often because that’s my main form of exercise nowadays. During those times, I don’t wear formal clothes. But when I go out and I’m not wearing a tie—which does happen—I feel a bit out of place. I enjoy dressing up and take pleasure in every opportunity to do so. Tomorrow, my wife and I are going to Łódź, to the Grand Theatre for a concert—actually, a ballet. The dress code is evening attire, so I’ll happily dress up.

So, a tuxedo?
No, not quite. The organizers said the dress code is business or evening attire, so it’ll be elegant, but still informal.

Something everyone can fit into.
Exactly. Although I can already guess how it’ll turn out. Half, maybe more, will show up dressed however they want. But that’s the world we live in now.

Every time I go to the theater, I’m stunned by how much formal attire has ceased to be the norm. I feel like clothing is also a way to show respect for others.
I agree. I get the impression that most people today don’t care at all about how they dress. The habit of dressing for the occasion has disappeared. There used to be one outfit for work, another for going out—to the theater, on a date, or to a meeting. Today, people get dressed in the morning and stay that way all day—regardless of whether they go to the theater, a business meeting, or even a gala to receive an important award. And they’ll accept it in jeans and a T-shirt.

Do you think that will change? That better times will return?
Looking at the biggest global events, like the Oscars or Golden Globes, you can see that the dress code has also loosened. It used to be very strict, but now the goal is shock value. If a man shows up in a dress with bare shoulders, everyone’s amazed at how brave he is!

It’s surprising, especially considering how much money is spent on these outfits—and some of them look really bad.
Yes, it is surprising. You often see a tuxedo with so many mistakes it’s hard to believe it came from a well-known brand. But I don’t believe it’s an accident. It’s intentional. It’s all about creating shock, maybe something more—but it’s definitely not ignorance.

Maybe it was made by an intern?
That would suggest it was a mistake. I think it’s deliberate—carefully planned.

How would you rate the way men in Poland dress?
On average—most don’t pay attention to what they wear. You can see it on the streets. Unfortunately, we also have a deeply rooted macho stereotype: strong, careless, and not concerned with appearance, hygiene, or self-care. Who doesn’t want to be macho? Everyone does, and so it gets repeated. But it’s not all bad—a lot of men are interested in elegance and want to look good. One example is prom season. I know my posts about how to dress for prom were very popular. One of them had over 170,000 views in a single year. I think all of them combined—over roughly 10 years—have had around a million readers.

So not just students, but their parents must’ve found their way to your site too.
Definitely. The posts are long—hard to read all at once. Many people returned to them to refresh or double-check something. Parents, friends—everyone wanted to help. It all adds up. I’m happy that young men want to look elegant on this important day. Though recently, I’ve also noticed the influence of celebrity fashion. Some want to shock—and they do. White suits have started appearing—not tropical tuxedos, just classic white fabric suits. That surprises me, but it’s happening.

Maybe it’s like the saying: “Now I’m coming in—all in white.”
All that’s missing is a white horse!

Do you have blog posts about wedding style?
Yes, quite a few. I recommend sticking with the classics—a navy blue suit. Though I also remind people about the morning coat—the most elegant wedding outfit, which unfortunately very few remember anymore.

How do you assess grooms’ style? More and more often, they don’t wear ties.
I think they’ll regret it when they look at the photos years later. Right now, it seems modern and trendy to them.

Are there any items of clothing you avoid?
I don’t own any short-sleeved shirts, and I don’t wear jeans. I prefer linen shirts with rolled-up sleeves and chinos—they’re more interesting and pair better with a blazer.

What item of clothing do you most associate with being a gentleman?
The blazer—no question. It was invented to improve a man’s silhouette. Add a shirt and tie—that, to me, is the essence of the classic gentleman.