Alex Riley is no stranger to period clothing.
It’s an integral part of The Car Years, the television series he co-hosts with Vicki Butler-Henderson, but his interest in outmoded fashions predates that by some considerable distance.
“I’ve always liked dressing up,” he says, “and I’ve always been interested in that ’60s and ’70s aesthetic. Roger Moore was a role model. I loved shows such as The Persuaders!, because that whole lifestyle – the clothes, the cars, the exotic locations – was something to aspire to.”
All of Riley’s period clothing is original and often sourced from charity shops
Riley believes that today’s more casual clothes don’t have the same impact, and he enjoys slipping back into a bygone age when donning his retro garments, be it in front of the camera or for any other occasion.
“I feel more confident in them, like a man about town,” he confesses.
Cue another ’60s pop culture reference: “Think Michael Caine in The Italian Job. He’s got an Aston Martin DB4 Convertible and a stunning girlfriend. In my head, that’s what I’m channelling. The TV show gives me an excuse.”
It’s an excuse Riley takes very seriously, too, because this is more than merely dressing up.
