Adam Kaessner can often be seen biking around Salt Lake City, either to get around or just for fun. When not riding around on his highly customized bike, he can be found bartending at Bar X. SLUG noticed his distinct look and asked him about why he does what he does. “I feel like every day you dress up,” he says. “You are wearing stuff not just for yourself but for other people too. I feel like it’s nice to be comfortable making fun of myself.”
Every month, SLUG Style features a distinct and unique member of the community and asks them why they do what they do. Exploring more than just clothing, SLUG Style is an attempt to feature the people who give Salt Lake City flavor through personality and panache.
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Adam Kaessner can often be seen biking around Salt Lake City, either to get around or just for fun. When not riding around on his highly customized bike, he can be found bartending at Bar X. SLUG noticed his distinct look and asked him about why he does what he does. “I feel like every day you dress up,” he says. “You are wearing stuff not just for yourself but for other people too. I feel like it’s nice to be comfortable making fun of myself.”
Kaessner says that much of what he wears was given to him by family and friends. “I kind of feel like I have always gone back and forth between trying to look really nice and trying to have fun and be silly sometimes too,” he says. “In high school I got a lot of crap for it. Sometimes I would dress really good and wear nice shoes, nice clothes, nice pants and others I would just wear the most ridiculous and obscene shit and never took it too seriously.”
Much of what Kaessner chooses to wear is dictated by his constant biking and walking around Salt Lake City in sunshine, rain or snow. He strikes a balance between form and function by wearing things that offer utility—but is deliberate in what he chooses to wear in these instances. “Some shoes don’t really work with the wrong pedals,” he says. “What I end up doing in the summer is I have some clip-less shoes and then I carry regular shoes in my bag.”
About his glasses Kaessner says, “I have a couple different pairs. I started wearing contacts when I was a cook because when you cut onions with them you don’t cry. So that’s really nice. I also really like wearing contacts in the summer because then I can wear sunglasses.”
“I guess a theme I have or follow is just re-using things. Most of my shopping I will do at second hand stores because I feel like you can find really amazing or unique items for really cheap—so I can fill up my closet with really neat stuff,” says Kaessner.
“This fabric horse utility belt is so great for biking. I can fit all my tools in it. I don’t have to worry about my saddlebags getting stolen,” says Kaessner. In it he keeps: a u-lock holder, keys, patch kit, Moleskine journal, mustache wax, multi tool, pump, phone, wallet, and a Sharpie. “I always carry a Sharpie and a knife—and a book of matches. People are always needing those.”
Kaessner tends to carry everything he needs for the day with him while cycling. He wears clothes that allow for movement and also will keep him warm. “I would say the only major theme that I follow would be cycling because that is how I get around,” he says. “That is usually what I use for exercise. Other than that it can just be flavor of the week, or of the month.”
Kaessner’s bike is as much a statement as it is his daily transportation. It features an array of LED lights powered by the wheel’s movement to keep him safe at night. “Every time I almost get hit by a car, I add some more lights,” he says. There is also a variety of artistically applied reflector tape to increase visibility. “I’m so stoked the days are getting longer,” he says.
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