Paul Banks' Signature Scent: Cologne He Wears

Paul Banks is an English-American musician, singer, songwriter, and DJ, best known as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and bassist of the American rock band Interpol. Banks has a distinctive baritone voice and is noted for his fashion sense, mixing vintage finds with high-end streetwear. But what cologne does he wear?

Paul Banks likes wearing douchey clothes and dressing like an Eastern European drug dealer

Paul Banks, the frontman of the band Interpol, has been described as the "Interpol Menswear God" by Highsnobiety. He is known for his post-punk look, often wearing black suits, boots, and skinny ties on stage. Offstage, however, Banks opts for a more casual look, mixing vintage finds with high-end streetwear. He has been spotted wearing brands like Y-3, RZA's clothing line 36 Chambers, and NOAH.

While it is unclear if Banks's fashion sense is directly inspired by Eastern European drug dealers, his style choices could be perceived as "douchey" by some. He has been known to wear a Cuban link chain, a concealed sword cane, and vintage Italian sunglasses. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Banks stated that his style is "just about fun" for him and is not about "flaunting anything."

Banks also seems to have a particular interest in sunglasses, as he has been seen sporting various styles, including vintage Italian sunglasses, white sunglasses, and surf brand Glassy sunglasses. Additionally, he keeps a collection of vintage typewriters, which he considers "an ornament you buy in hopes of inspiring yourself."

Overall, while Banks's style may be considered "douchey" by some, he appears to approach fashion with a sense of fun and self-expression, mixing vintage and high-end pieces to create his unique look.

He mixes vintage finds with high-end streetwear from brands like Y-3

Paul Banks, the frontman of Interpol, is known for his distinctive fashion sense, which blends vintage finds with high-end streetwear. This unique approach to style has earned him the title of "Interpol Menswear God" by some.

In an interview, Banks revealed that he mixes vintage pieces from thrift stores with designer items from brands like Y-3, the iconic collaboration between Adidas and Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto. Y-3 is known for its bold, avant-garde designs that push the boundaries of contemporary fashion. The brand often features contrasting logos, bold blocking, and fluorescent colour palettes, offering a rebellious take on sportswear.

Banks' interest in fashion extends beyond his personal style. He has curated a vinyl selection for Dries Van Noten's Los Angeles store, reflecting his appreciation for the brand's eccentric take on menswear. Additionally, Banks has expressed a desire to design his own fashion collection in the future, showcasing his ambition to leave his mark on the fashion industry.

Banks' style has evolved over the years, reflecting his interest in fashion trends while maintaining a unique, individual approach. He has embraced the return of Y2K fashion, admiring the effort and passion that goes into these retro styles, even if he doesn't always feel comfortable wearing them himself. Instead, he opts for timeless pieces like suits, which he believes will never go out of fashion.

Banks also pays attention to the functionality of his clothing, especially when performing on stage. He acknowledges the importance of wearing comfortable, breathable fabrics like cotton and technical fabric blends, which is where high-end streetwear brands like Y-3 come into play. Overall, Paul Banks' fashion sense showcases a thoughtful blend of vintage and modern, high-end streetwear, creating a signature look that reflects his unique personality and taste.

He likes Adidas stripes and Prada shoes

Paul Banks, the frontman of the rock band Interpol, is known for his distinctive style and fashion choices. While the band was known for their post-punk look of black suits, boots, and skinny ties in the early 2000s, Banks himself prefers a more casual look when he's offstage. He mixes vintage finds with high-end streetwear, such as Y-3, a brand he particularly favours.

Banks has expressed his love for Adidas stripes and Prada shoes. In an interview, he mentioned that if he could, he would wear Adidas stripes all the time when he's offstage. He also stated that with shoes, sunglasses, and suitcases, one gets what they pay for. He justified his preference for Prada shoes by explaining that they last a lifetime, even if they come at a high price.

Banks is not afraid to experiment with his style and has a penchant for "douchey" clothes. He enjoys dressing like an Eastern European drug dealer and has been known to wear a straw hat from H&M, the kind that "douchey guys" typically wear. He also likes to mix high-end fashion with more affordable options, packing an expensive Viktor & Rolf blazer along with clothes from Topman and H&M while on tour.

Banks has a unique sense of style that sets him apart from other celebrities. He has a supermodel girlfriend, Helena Christensen, but insists that he has always known what he wants to wear and doesn't need any fashion advice. He even dressed like Nirvana when he was 15, showing up at a racquet club and getting asked to leave places because people thought he was homeless.

He packs one expensive blazer and lots of Topman and H&M when on tour

Paul Banks, the frontman of the rock band Interpol, is known for his pitch-perfect style. When it comes to packing for a tour, Banks has a simple yet strategic approach. He shared that he takes one expensive blazer—a sick Viktor & Rolf jacket—and fills the rest of his suitcase with clothing from high-street brands Topman and H&M.

Banks' choice of packing a single statement blazer and mixing it with more affordable pieces is a practical and stylish approach to touring. It allows him to look sharp and put-together without having to worry about losing or damaging expensive items while on the road. This strategy also gives him the flexibility to experiment with different looks and stay comfortable during his performances.

The high-low mix of clothing from Topman and H&M complements the blazer, creating a versatile wardrobe that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Topman, known for its trendy and often affordable pieces, offers a range of options that align with Banks' preference for a more casual look offstage. H&M, on the other hand, provides a balance of style and functionality with their dress shirts, which Banks noted served him well on the road.

Banks' approach to packing for a tour reflects his overall sense of style and fashion preferences. He is known for his post-punk look, often sporting black suits, boots, and skinny ties, both on and off the stage. However, he also enjoys mixing vintage finds with high-end streetwear, such as Y-3, and has a fondness for "douchey" clothing, including Adidas stripes and Eastern European drug dealer-inspired outfits.

He's worn a Viktor & Rolf jacket

Paul Banks, the frontman of Interpol, has a distinct sense of style. He has been described as the "Interpol Menswear God" by *Highsnobiety*. Banks has been known to wear suits by Dries Van Noten, which he has called his "go-to". He has also been known to wear H&M and Topshop, particularly when on the road.

Banks has expressed an interest in fashion design, stating that he would love to design if someone "just wanted to give me a bunch of money". He has also said that he is a "lover of fashion" and that he admires trends without always wanting to participate.

Indeed, Banks has been recognised for his unique sense of style, with *Highsnobiety* noting that he carried himself with an "air of gravitas that made others in the scene look almost infantile".

He has also expressed an interest in other creative pursuits, such as film writing and directing, painting, novel writing, and furniture design.

In keeping with his interest in fashion, it is not surprising that Banks has been seen wearing a Viktor & Rolf jacket. Viktor & Rolf is an avant-garde luxury fashion house founded in 1993 by fashion artists Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren. The brand is known for its provocative Haute Couture and conceptual glamour, infusing its creations with a provocative spirit and surreal contrasts.

Viktor & Rolf's designs often feature an unconventional approach to fashion, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. Their collections feature exquisite craftsmanship and a refined palette, with their Spring/Summer 2025 collection showcasing a blend of black, white, and burgundy.

It is unclear which specific Viktor & Rolf jacket Banks has been seen wearing. However, given the brand's distinctive aesthetic and Banks' own interest in fashion, it is likely that he has chosen a piece that aligns with his unique sense of style.

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