Jasper Kroon (18), first-year student Teacher Education in History, tells about his appearance.
Fancy suit!
“I usually go for three-piece suits. I have five complete sets and three separate jackets. This particular suit is ‘double-breasted’, with a double row of buttons. People often think you need to have a large number of different suits in your closet, but a suit is an investment. If you want a quality one, you’re looking at spending hundreds of euros. The idea isn’t to buy a new one every month; if you take good care of it, it can easily last you ten years.”
How would you describe your style?
“Old-fashioned: that’s how others often describe it. When you think of fine suits, you tend to picture a grandparent, not someone who just turned 18. Many, therefore, describe me as an ‘old soul’. My study desk is a 1900s writing bureau, and I enjoy listening to classical music, Bach or the songs of Wim Sonneveld for instance. My mother, who sadly is no longer with us, used to dress me in classic shirts back when I was in primary school. I started wearing suits when I was about 14, in the third year of secondary school.”
Who do you think wears the best suits?
“I have an interest in politics, and politicians often wear the finest suits. Hans Wiegel, the former parliamentary leader of the VVD and a highly flamboyant figure, is an idol of mine. I saw interviews with him in which he wore these beautiful, dark suits; I was hooked immediately! In the meantime, I’ve found my own style. My mother would have thought it was fantastic that I’m so authentic in this regard.”
Do you get many comments about the way you dress?
“That’s bound to happen when you’re at a school where everyone dresses quite casually. If you’re the only one walking around in a three-piece suit and polished, shiny dress shoes, you’re bound to stand out. Fortunately, the comments are often positive: people find it unique, or they ask me why I dress this way. And yes, there are also people who don’t like it and make a remark about it. But compared to the positive feedback, that’s so insignificant that it would be a waste of my energy to dwell on it.”
text: Michelle van der Molen
photo: Jasper van Overbeek
