Sartorialist: How to be a street style star – in pictures

'It’s almost always the overall picture; this woman stood very straight and I thought the colour combination of blue and maroon was very nice. She had a vintage feel; the dress reminds me of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, and there’s a sexiness about it. It’s that odd combination between those ideas,' says Schuman.
Photograph: Scott Schuman

'This was the first time I met this man. I like his refined aggressiveness. He has a real toughness, even though he’s a very gentle person.'
Photograph: Scott Schuman

'This young lady, Eva, has that incredibly unique combination of physical charm and sartorial grace. Her style is so well developed that it actually creates a conflict with her adorable, unique and charming smile – and twinkle in her eyes. It is a wonderful problem for the viewer to have to decide if they are going to end up looking at her smile or her outfit.'
Photograph: Scott Schuman

'He’s just one of those guys who carries that Italian swagger. He’s one of the first guys I started shooting who really captured that style. For him, the clothes are important and they fit a particular way, but it’s the mannerisms and the gesture here.'
Photograph: Scott Schuman

'You can tell that this girl probably doesn’t wear shoes all summer and yet she’s still wearing a pretty dress, and her hair is braided. On a fashion level, she has that print dress with apron over it, [but] there’s something about the strength of her stance.'
Photograph: Scott Schuman

'I wouldn’t necessarily wear that look, but he does it with such charm and visual bravado that it makes for a great picture. He’s not really standing super straight but he’s not really relaxed. He has old school elegance.'
Photograph: Scott Schuman

'One of the reasons I called the book Closer is that I have recently felt more compelled to shoot closer portraits. Style does not always come from the clothes you wear; it can come from the hair, the makeup or a combination of all of those elements. For this young lady, it was obviously her choice to dye her hair and eyebrows blond, which created a visually high impact, yet subtle new persona for her.'
Photograph: Scott Schuman

'He’s an assistant designer; you can’t help but see that. The colours are great and it works with that background wall. He also has a dramatic beard and it all works for him.' Schuman adds: 'I’ve become clear on what my lifestyle is like, so I know much more clearly what to wear to do my job. It’s a great style thing to learn – put your money to where your lifestyle is. As much as I love suits, I don’t wear them that often so I put a lot more into outer wear.' Sartorialist: Closer is available from the Guardian bookshop.
Photograph: Scott Schuman