SWNSIt can be hard to keep up with ever-changing fashion trends but apparently one man has found the solution; choose one decade and stick to it.
For Zack Pinsent that decade is the 1820s. Admittedly it would have probably been easier to go with a more recent year for ease of shopping but the 25-year-old adopted his style after finding a box of his great-grandfather’s old suits when he was 14 and realising they were a perfect fit.
Zack, from Hove, East Sussex, has since rejected contemporary fashion and only dresses in flamboyant Regency and historical clothing, explaining it’s the only way he feels comfortable in the 21st century.
SWNSRecalling how he first began wearing the clothes, the 25-year-old explained:
At 14, I made the symbolic decision to burn my only pair of jeans in a bonfire. It was a real turning point.
On non-school uniform days I would dress in three-piece suits, but when I got to sixth form I started to dress in historical clothing every single day.
I was quite surprised that in the leavers’ book I was voted as the best dressed.
People weren’t necessarily saying that to my face but it was clear that there was an undercurrent of respect.
SWNSRather than hitting the high street for his clothes, Zack researches, designs and sews his outfits by himself, with some of his creations taking up to a year to perfect.
On a typical day he’ll wear a pair of knee-high riding leather riding boots, a floral waistcoast and riding jacket with long tails and he’s often known to wear a top hat and cane when out shopping in Brighton.
His hard work is often complimented by people in the streets and in slightly more modern fashion he’s also got himself a huge online following of 40,000 adoring fans.
SWNSZack continued:
The response is almost always completely positive, and genuinely lovely. And it isn’t just a Brighton thing, I’ve been all over the world and people are inquisitive and appreciative.
Even when I was in London and a huge group of football fans were walking towards me, my natural reaction was to tighten up and look down.
But even then they were good-natured.
SWNSAs well as receiving compliments, the 25-year-old’s smart style has apparently encouraged a few of people to pop the question.
He explained:
I’ve received many marriage proposals and many other things. I think it is indicative that women want a gentleman and someone that cares about his presentation and appearance.
It’s hard for men, we can’t show exuberance but I love what I do and I’m only doing it for my own enjoyment.
For me, it is a bit of wrong-tree-wrong-forest situation.
Zack is certainly a dapper dresser!
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Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.