Few people wear clothes with the ease of Tanaka Saburi. His style isn't driven by trends or formulas, but by instinct, confidence and an appreciation for understated classics. Shaped by family influence and years spent travelling across Europe, his wardrobe feels thoughtful without ever appearing overworked. We caught up with Tanaka to talk about individuality, fit and why the best shoes quietly become part of everyday life.
Style Without Rules
'I tend not to overthink how I define my personal style,' Tanaka explains. 'I'd say it's a mixture of quirkiness and nonchalance.'
Rather than following trends, his wardrobe has evolved naturally over time. Much of that comes from his upbringing.
'My biggest influences were my father and my uncles. I grew up around a lot of post-apartheid men who had a real understanding of late '80s and early '90s tailoring.'
That appreciation for classic menswear continues to shape his style today.
Dressing For The Day Ahead
For Tanaka, getting dressed begins with instinct rather than individual garments.
'Mood, weather and location mean a lot to me. You can usually tell what kind of day I'm planning to have by how I'm dressed that morning.'
His wardrobe reflects the day ahead rather than following a fixed formula.
Dressing For The Day Ahead
For Tanaka, getting dressed begins with instinct rather than individual garments.
'Mood, weather and location mean a lot to me. You can usually tell what kind of day I'm planning to have by how I'm dressed that morning.'
His wardrobe reflects the day ahead rather than following a fixed formula.
Cities That Encourage Individuality
London has influenced his style, but it's other cities that inspire him most today.
'I travel to Paris, Athens and Berlin quite a lot. Those are the cities where I feel people don't operate within strict rules.'
That freedom to dress for yourself rather than expectation is something he values deeply.
Built To Be Worn
Tanaka prefers a small rotation of dependable shoes.
'They have to be adaptable, hard-wearing and able to work with almost anything.'
His first impression of Wildsmith was equally understated.
'They were comfortable and understated.'
Only over time, he says, do people begin to notice the finishing and finer details.
Built To Be Worn
Tanaka prefers a small rotation of dependable shoes.
'They have to be adaptable, hard-wearing and able to work with almost anything.'
His first impression of Wildsmith was equally understated.
'They were comfortable and understated.'
Only over time, he says, do people begin to notice the finishing and finer details.
One Pair For Life
If he could choose just one style forever, the answer is immediate.
'A single monk strap. There's something about the history of that shoe and its connection to Mod culture that will always have me in a cobra clutch.'
It's a timeless choice that perfectly reflects his understated approach to dressing.
Finding Your Own Style
His advice is simple.
'Measure yourself and get properly measured. Once you understand your proportions, you can make much better decisions about silhouette.'
Most importantly, don't take it too seriously.
'Have fun and experiment. There's no point finding your personal style if you take it too seriously.'
Like his wardrobe, Tanaka's philosophy is refreshingly uncomplicated: understand what works for you, wear it with confidence, and let your style evolve naturally.
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