Chef Jason Stratton's Color Blocks

Occupation: Partner/chef at Spinasse and Artusi restaurants

Philosophy: When he emerges from behind the counter at his two Capitol Hill eateries, Jason Stratton, 32, sheds his white chef’s coat and substitutes it with vivid color. “I really enjoy the transformative power of clothes,” he says. “It’s like putting on a personality, and my off-the-clock one is eccentric.” His staples include a futuristic gold watch, abstract-printed tees and bold pocket squares.

Dream Christmas gift: “Every year, I remind people I love crushed velvet blazers.”

Peeve: “I’m hating plaid right now; it’s gotten too saturated. Someone asked if our restaurant uniform was a plaid button-up, I just cringed.”

Shopping stops: A vintage devotee, Stratton pops into Capitol Hill shops such as Crossroads Trading Co. (325 Broadway Ave. E; 206.328.5867; crossroadstrading.com) and Pretty Parlor (119 Summit Ave. E; 206.405.2883; prettyparlor.com) to pick up clothes to rehab. “I love giving old clothes a new story. I often paint patterns or colorful stripes onto old polyester suit jackets.”

What He's Wearing (clockwise from top left): Gotti metal frames, Hour Eyes on Capitol Hill; John Fluevog vintage black and pink saddle-style shoes, a Portland find; linen suit jacket hand-painted neon yellow by Stratton with acrylic paint, Zara.com; screen-printed T-shirt with Grace Jones image, an eBay find, with magenta and rose silk pocket square, Nordstrom Rack; Nooka brand gold “Zot” watch, Gilt.com; Adriano Goldschmied dark skinny jeans, also Gilt.com and Queen Bee leather tote bag, QueenBee-Creations.com; Nooka pink “Strip” snap belt, Gilt.com.