This story originally appeared on the Gents Cafe Newsletter. You can subscribe here.
Meet Mr. Peter Cooper (@bullwriter), a Writer, Film Producer and Businessman from Houston, Texas.
Peter, what does it mean for you to be a Modern Gentleman?
I love this question because of the timing. I have a 9 year-old son and we talk often about what it means to be a gentleman – being honest, using a firm handshake, looking people in the eye when speaking, standing up when a lady approaches the table, opening doors for others, using “yes sir” and “yes ma’am” and “please” and “thank you”, and always doing the right thing even when no one is watching. At the core of it, it’s really about having manners, and as I tell my kids – manners make the world a better place. It’s all these little things that lead to a much more principled way of life which culminates in becoming a gentleman. Ultimately, being a modern gentleman means carrying yourself with character, integrity and honor – and looking good while doing it.
When it comes to style, where do you mostly get your inspiration from?
A few weeks ago I was at Mate Gallery in Montecito and on their shelf they had the classic The Official Preppy Handbook by Lisa Birnbach. I grew up a prep school kid and we all had this book when it came out – so flipping through it was like a walk down memory lane. In the book is a chapter called Dressing the Part which I used as a checklist for the items I was acquiring for my wardrobe, like cotton khaki trousers, madras shorts, grosgrain watch straps, L.L. Bean hunting boots, Brooks Brothers oxford button-downs, and Lacoste polos. Looking back, this was a solid foundation for my style today.
Around this time, Ralph Lauren opened the Polo Shop on Post Oak Boulevard – and it was my first time to see style perfected. I’ve always been a huge fan of the Golden Age of Hollywood – and the Polo Shop was the perfect mix of the dashing and debonair looks of James Stewart and Carey Grant – and the cool, rugged and sporty looks of Steve McQueen and Sean Connery. I found it all both inspirational and aspirational – and still do to this day. As I look at my life today, I get my biggest inspiration from my pal Sid Mashburn. He’s just so inherently stylish and cool it oozes out of him. And I dig that.
What’s your personal style signifier?
I love vintage watches and began collecting them when I was in my 20s – watches like Omega, Vulcain, Jaegar-LeCoultre, and a couple of Hamilton broad arrows – and over time I had accumulated a good little collection. When I got married, I decided to give them all away as gifts to my groomsmen and ushers – keeping only a 1955 Wittnauer chronograph and a 1927 Elgin for myself. Since then I’ve collected Rolex Subs and GMTs, Breitling Navitimer, Heuer Camero, and a 40mm Panerai GMT I picked up in Florence 17 years ago. If you ever see me out, I’ll be wearing a vintage watch.
What are your favorite wardrobe essentials?
My wife accuses me of having a uniform, which makes me laugh because she’s right, sort of. I’m always wearing white or ecru five-pocket jeans, a sports jacket from Sid Mashburn or Mason and Sons over a Sid Mashburn polo, or a made-to-measure sport shirt from Hamilton Shirt Company, and Belgian loafers without socks. At the ranch, you’ll find me wearing selvedge jeans from either Levi’s or Gustin, a western-style shirt from Hamilton and roper-style boots from Lucchese. In my photo, I stepped out a little and put on a double-breasted poplin suit from Mason and Sons, over a Sid Mashburn polo, with Stan Smith tennis shoes without socks. My wife will be shocked.
What are your main passions and how do you cultivate them?
There was a time when I was playing golf and polo all the time whenever I wasn’t working. I had passion for both. But when my kids began to play sports I stopped playing just so I could be their coach, and I’ve loved every minute of it. It’s easy for me to say that being a dad is my real passion. But as my kids are getting a little older, I’ve picked up the golf clubs again and I even played polo this summer in Santa Barbara. And to blend my passion for golf with being a dad, I’ve introduced my kids to the sport and they’re really enjoying it. I’m looking forward to many rounds on the golf course with them in the future. Other passions of mine include collecting art, bird hunting and travel.
Tell us what can never miss in your liquor cabinet?
Two things are essential in my bar. First, I enjoy bourbon. I love the classics like Woodford Reserve and Blanton’s to name a few, but I also enjoy small-batch bourbons from Kentucky and Texas. I always drink it slowly the same way — a two-ounce pour over a few cubes of ice. The second one comes with a story. The legendary film producer and editor George Folsey Jr. has been one of my closest friends over the past 16 years. Not a week goes by that we don’t talk. When we first met, he introduced me to the Negroni – and at the time, he and I were the only people I knew who were drinking this amazing classic cocktail. I absolutely love how this drink has grown in popularity and it’s well-deserved. So in my bar, you’ll always find gin, Campari and sweet vermouth.
Originally posted as part of the Gents Cafe Newsletter, a bite-sized read about men’s lifestyle to enjoy over a coffee or a nice cocktail. Join now!