Weekend of October 21st

By Cory Ohlendorf, Valet. Editor

I’ve looked up to Nick Wooster for the better part of a decade, so I was stoked when I got the chance to actually talk with him for my favorite Valet. series.

Weekend Reading

My Morning Routine: Nick Wooster

Waking up with menswear’s leading free agent

Icon is a word that gets thrown around a lot in fashion, but Nick Wooster has clearly earned a spot on the Mount Rushmore of modern menswear. He's been working in the business since his first job in high school at a men's clothing store in his hometown of Salina, Kansas. He later moved to New York and worked in advertising before becoming a buyer for Barneys and then Bergdorf Goodman men's director. He's since become one of the biggest street-style gods thanks to his constantly evolving personal style. Wooster is always put-together, but he's not afraid to mix things up and try something new. He's gone from dapper and buttoned-up to relaxed and rugged to more avant-garde. The guy's a wild card, but one thing remains constant—his impeccable taste and gentlemanly manners, which is why so many brands—from American upstarts and legendary Italian footwear makers to the coolest Japanese labels—are all clamoring to work with him. And it's why so often Wooster is on a plane and taking on another job. We finally caught up with him between business trips, to see how he starts his day and looks so damn good while doing so much.

My Routine

I’m a morning person now, but that wasn’t always the case.

I pretty much transitioned from a night owl to a morning person in 1995—the year that I got sober. I absolutely love the morning—it's my favorite and the best time of the day. The earlier the better. If I'm getting up at six o'clock, that means I slept in.

That means I try to get to bed early most nights, too.

I usually aim to get at least six or seven hours of sleep. When I'm lucky, I very occasionally get a full eight hours.

Consistency is key.

My mornings have really been more or less the same since 1995. Before that, well, they were a bit more chaotic and scary! The great thing about today is that I take my time and enjoy the morning. I hate to be rushed.

Waking up at 4:00 or 5:00 am has now become automatic.

I always set an alarm, but I would say 90% of the time, I wake up before it ever goes off. I never hit the snooze button. Well, that's not true. This morning, I did, actually. Sometimes you need just a little bit more time.

I always make the bed.

Every morning, without fail. It's the first thing I do.

There are certain things I do every day.

They've become reliable rituals. I make my bed, I pray and meditate to help quiet my mind and set intentions for the day. I have my coffee, take my supplements, and five of six days out of the week, I'll work out.

My nightstand is tidy, but full.

I've got a nice coaster, the Peter Beard biography by my friend Chris Wallace, a lamp and the TV remote. Oh and eye drops. I always have to keep artificial tears handy. I had LASIK 20 years ago, and I still have dry eyes.

When I get out of bed, I’ll pick up my phone ...

Just to check what I missed overnight. I respond to whatever notification is on top. It always seems to be email. I'll scan my inbox immediately and delete all of the unnecessary ones first. Then I attack the most time-sensitive things. But I won't get down to business and really tackle email until after the gym and a shower.

The first person I speak to in the morning ...

Is usually my trainer. Or my friend William in Paris.

Working out is one of the best ways to start the day.

The most important part of my morning is going to the gym. It's a lot like the meditation—it helps to mentally prepare. From a practical perspective, I can only work out in the morning. If it doesn't happen before 9 am, it means I won't be working out that day.

My health is something I definitely take seriously.

I see an age management doctor and currently take a wide assortment of supplements—from peptides to hormones to semaglutide (people know that as Ozempic).

But I love a nice, simple iced coffee.

Every evening before I go to bed, I make a fresh pot of coffee that I put into the fridge. I have iced coffee 365 days a year. And I only use oat milk. No sugar.

Breakfast comes after the gym.

I usually do not eat until after I train. Breakfast can vary from scrambled eggs to a protein shake, an apple with peanut butter or a toasted English muffin.

Contrary to what some might think, my grooming routine is fairly straightforward.

I shower, moisturize and then deal with my face. I've found investing in quality products really pays off. But I don't spend a lot of time on my routine. It takes no more than 20 minutes from shower to dressing.

Clockwise, from top left:

Facial scrub, $75 by Dr. Barbara Sturm; Fluide 14 body oil, $96 by Carita; Diamond Life Infusion serum, $640 by Natura Bissé; Super anti-aging face cream, $360 by Dr. Barbara Sturm; Diamond Life Infusion retinol eye serum, $310 by Natura Bissé; Classic lip balm, $4.87 by Carmex; Tears lubricant eye drops, $14.68 (for 2-pack) by Refresh; Unscented antiperspirant deodorant, $3.79 by Ban; Active Gum Repair toothpaste, $8.59 by Parodontax; Hyaluronic serum, $320 by Dr. Barbara Sturm

I never think about what I’m going to wear until I open the closet.

I usually get out of the shower, and quickly look at the weather. I'll take into consideration where I'm going that day, but that's it. It's really more of a gut feeling.

Never leave home without ...

My sunglasses. I have to have them—rain or shine—in order to go out into world. Right now, my shades of choice are Jacques Marie Mage—the George Cortina collaboration.

Declan sunglasses, $820 by Jacques Marie Mage