Dev Patel. You know, that gawky one from Slumdog Millionaire? Well, here's the thing. We're not sure when it happened, but it's happened: he's become really, really well dressed.

While plenty of high-profile young British actors have become style standard bearers in recent years, Patel has quietly graduated from the awkward red carpet posing that goes with growing up in the spotlight; transitioning into someone who - when it comes to fashion - can now almost be mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Redmayne, Hardy and Hiddleston.

An example, if you will.

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Compared to 2008 Dev...

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You see our point.

While Dev's younger and sloppier incarnation fell into the classic menswear sinkhole of cheap fabrics, ill (very ill) fitting tailoring and worse shoes, the new and improved version has, it would appear, found the rare style orchid that separates the trendsetters from the followers: an original aesthetic.

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Smart Dev
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Downtime Dev

Taking elements from modern menswear icons like The Gosling (unorthodox tailoring, air ties) and David Beckham (the ability wear formal and casual with equal aplomb) Patel has learned how to dress for his height and age, favouring slim-cuts, varied colours and patterned shirts; while still maintaining a rotation of classic pieces like navy suits, crisp white dress shirts and patent leather Oxford shoes.

As Young Hollywood looks set to continue its love affair with the extravagant and untouchable outer reaches of high fashion in 2017, Patel's relatable appeal lies in his more chilled out approach to dressing well; marking him out as a man with an an astute eye, but one who does it on his own, uncontrived, terms.

Decent hair, too.

Headshot of Finlay Renwick
Finlay Renwick
Deputy Style Editor
Mother, blogger, vegan, model, liar