A star of the upcoming summer rom-com The To Do List, Scott Porter currently plays lovable Alabama lawyer George Tucker on The CW’s Hart of Dixie. In real life, the 33-year-old Friday Night Lights alum’s heart belongs to cool sneakers and graphic tees.
By Brandon Voss
Essential Homme: How would you describe your style?
Scott Porter: Comfort first. It’s possible to look good and be comfortable, and that’s what I strive for. I never want to feel constricted. I’m an athlete, so it’s hard to find jeans that fit when I’m in Los Angeles because everything’s so skinny and tight! It takes a little longer to find something that makes me look as sharp as some of those cats who aren’t as big-thighed as I am.
What aesthetics do you consider sharp?
I don’t like bells and whistles. Style’s about evolving, but I always come back to clean lines and simplicity. I’m also drawn to darker hues. I feel really at home in a black v-neck with a pair of dark jeans and boots; it’s casual but still has an air of power. I have a lot of crisp, clean Hugo Boss suits, and J. Crew has really stepped up their game. It’s so easy to go in there and pick something up without a hassle.
Do you enjoy shopping for clothes?
It was tricky for me for many years, but now that I know more designers and what I like, it makes it much easier to shop. I don’t fear it as much as when I was completely clueless. Whether it’s in a movie like Speed Racer or a show like The Good Wife, I’ve actually been able to draw from almost every character I’ve played and take certain elements from their style. I’m a kid from Nebraska, so it’s cool that my career has influenced my love of fashion and opened my eyes to aspects of fashion I wouldn’t otherwise have been exposed to.
What have you taken from George Tucker on Hart of Dixie?
Oh, I’ve stolen a lot from George. He has a great southern style. When a southern gentleman gets dressed up, it’s different from a New Yorker; it’s not as slick, but it’s fresh and looks more welcoming. I’m drawn to that kind of approachable ease and comfort, and I’d never really explored that until I got on Hart of Dixie.
Do you enlist the aid of a stylist for red carpets and special events?
I pretty much just wing it. I’ve never had a stylist. But I’m very consistent, so you’ll often see me in similar styles.
You rock a lot of bold graphic tees with statement sneakers.
That’s my go-to look, man. If there are two things I love, it’s T-shirts and sneakers. I have sneakers in all kinds of crazy colors. I have almost as many pairs of shoes as my fiancé. You can liven up any outfit with a cool pair of kicks. I have a pair of pewter Varvatos Converse that I like to wear with a nice pair of jeans, and then you can play up top. Some people say that you should never wear one once you’re out of your 20s, but I’m not scared of a graphic tee. Dress it up with a jacket if you need to, but those graphic tees make a statement about what you love.
Then you clearly love superheroes and comic books.
I think it’s really important that your clothes represent who you are, and I’m a huge nerd. Call it geek chic.
Essential Homme, May/June 2013 issue.