The Questionnaire IV: Mikołaj Pawełczak (Blue Loafers)

In the fourth episode of the Questionnaire, we talk to Mikołaj Pawełczak, who you could already know better as the author of the Blue Loafers blog. Welcome!

Author: Mateusz Tryjanowski & Poszetka.com + Mikołaj Pawełczak

1. 1. Tell us briefly about yourself. What do you do and what is your everyday life like?

I work full time as a Structural Engineer in Structural Consulting firm in London. I specialize in bridge design but I have also worked on other types of structures like stadiums, roofs and footbridges. Everyday is pretty standard, starting with train commute to The City. Some days I would be required to visit site or travel but not very often. Since we had our daughter, I prefer to limit those to a minimum.

2. How did you discover menswear and how did this journey begin?

It did start sometime in 2009 or 2010 when I discovered classic menswear elegance on Tumblr. I would create my first ever “blog” and reblog all the stuff I saw. I remember photos of elegant Italians and a pair of beautiful Alden boots in cordovan. Nowadays I don't like boots nor cordovan but the photo and shoes themselves were great. Somehow I remember this moment. It really felt like something I was looking for for a very long time - not actively, but it helped me realize this was the style that was very “me”.

3. How would you describe your everyday style? Do you have any particular style that you love and stick to?

We don’t have a strict dress code in the office. Even though it is located in London’s financial district it's only getting more casual. It used to be that only me and the Director would wear a tie. Some days I used to wear a very formal suit, probably an overkill for my taste now. Still I always wear smart shoes, jacket and shirt. Those are a must. Sport coats and grey flannels easily are the most common for me. It’s simple, comfortable and gives enough room to experiment a little with fabrics. I do wear silk knit ties a lot. Much less printed silks etc.

4. Your favourite piece of clothing?

In general probably a jacket. Well fitting jacket. Nothing else gives you this much pleasure from both the way it looks and how well it fits. It's the perfect amount of confidence and comfort that it gives.

5. Your favourite, most worn pair of shoes?

By a big margin my dark brown suede loafers from Carmina. Outstanding value per wear because I wear them all the time.

6. The single favourite item in your wardrobe?

There are not many occasions to wear it but I do love my mint green suede field jacket by Stoffa.

7. The garment that you have been dreaming of, but still have not acquired?

Nothing specific. I don’t buy much nowadays anymore. There is however one tailor in Florence who I would like to have a suit made by in the future, he is called Gianni Seminara.

8. Your biggest style icon and the biggest inspiration?

I don’t think there is one person or icon I follow and inspire from. I guess I take a little bit from many so that in total all together it makes me in a way stylish. I try to wear simple things that work together and are comfortable, at the same time look adequate in my environment.

9. Tell us three of your favourite, most inspiring (menswear related) Instagram accounts.

@pitstop_lnd - London friend, inspiration for quality items and colour combinations.

@amashanov - one of the best menswear illustrations out there.

@shoemakers_toolmakers - they do show detailed videos of tools and how they create shoemaking products.

10. What makes you like Poszetka.com the most?

If you grow up in Poland you know we like to complain. Everything is too expensive, its not on offer, they don't sell it here bla bla. Poszetka however is a local brand that offers excellent products very often on par with all the top european brands at a very affordable price point, relatively. It’s there and it’s very good.

11. Your favourite product from Poszetka.com range? What thing would you recommend in particular?

Shantung ties are extremely popular from my experience and Poszetka offers them. You can wear one of theirs and not spend a fortune.

12. What are your hobbies apart from your job and the menswear world?

There is not much time left to do other things, particularly now that we have a daughter, but I do like the NBA and planes. I’ve been following the NBA since the Finals of 1994-95 when Houston won two in a row against young Shaq. By following I mean really to watch games. I’ve seen the previous 8 Play-offs live for the team I follow, live! April until June is a difficult time for me sleep wise and everyone in the office knows it by now! You have to wake up at 3am, watch the game and go to the office early, like 6-7am, if there is no extra time. Makes you feel a little tired.

In the last 2 years I have been assigned to our Copenhagen office and I have been traveling back and forth every week for 50 weeks. My wife was pregnant then and I didnt want to spend the weekends without her. It made me like the planes even more. As you could probably tell from all my “flying” stories in 2018 on Instagram.

Thank you Mikołaj for the talk. It was a pleasure.

Photos: Bart Pajak