An Alternative List Of The Most Stylish Menswear Movies

I mean, yer man’s wearing a panelled leather bomber jacket, a leopard-print cardi, grey pleated slacks and white derbies. But he’s, like, cool. And even Cameron (the rich, hypochondriac fella) looks good in his penny loafers, slacks and Detroit Red Wings jersey. Effortless Eighties cool with an alt-nerd edge. Mega.

Phantom Thread (2017)

In Daniel Day-Lewis’s last ever movie (allegedly), his character is actually a fashion designer, but most of the attention is given over to his on-screen creations, and his own clobber doesn’t get enough credit. It’s all flawless Fifties tailoring, essentially, but there’s loads of good off-duty dressing, too – one great overcoat, in particular, and one piece of evidence that a man can look good in wellies – and an unofficial guide to nailing a morning routine.

Do The Right Thing (1989)

One of the best-dressed dudes in showbiz, Spike Lee’s movie is rich in vibrant primary colours, sportswear and trainers – so many good trainers – and generally jammed with summer style inspiration. From here, you can see how the sporty aesthetics of NYC brands like Aimé Leon Dore and Noah came to be.

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

Jumpers! Loads of really good ones! It’s late Eighties New York, so the colour palette is starting to soften and Billy Crystal basically just wears nice, American clothes. But he demonstrates that you can wear a blazer with jeans and not look like Jeremy Clarkson, and he will convince you to buy those chunky tennis shoes, after all.

West Side Story (1961)

Lots of Americana and some wonderfully sleazy tailoring. The opening sequence, where the Jets blip around the neighbourhood with elegant menace, is a litany of good denim, good jersey sweats and good Converse.

True Romance (1993)

Just in time for the summer, Clarence (Christian Slater) is here to give you a masterclass in camp-collar shirting. You also get Brad Pitt as the ultimate stoner, Christopher Walken as a slickly terrifying crime boss and Val Kilmer as Elvis. So, something for everyone.

Everybody Wants Some!! (2016)

Dazed & Confused (1993) would be a good fit for this run down, but Linklater’s unofficial follow-up (college in the Eighties, rather than high school in the Seventies) feels like a more concise view on young American style. It’s very jocky and very brash – a sort of National Lampoon's take on Call Me By Your Name – but loads of feel-good-garm inspiration, and some epic facial hair.

Jaws (1975)

If you remove the shark, this is just a story about three pals in sporty, utility workwear and the odd bit of army surplus, taking a boat ride in the mid-Seventies. Lovely stuff. We dig Brody’s clean-cut, square-jawed American preppiness, Hooper’s tumbledown, bookish bohemia and Quint’s mad-eyed stare and tattered field jacket.

First Reformed (2017)

Hawke’s wardrobe, much like his high-and-tight haircut (is that a grade two on the sides?), is strictly utilitarian: cable knits, long grey overcoats, straight wool trousers and polished black derby shoes, an ascetic take on fashion (and furniture – he barely has any in his house).

Badlands (1973)

If you’ve ever wondered why the denim jacket has rung-out in the halls of menswear for so long, Badlands gives you all the explanation you could possibly need. The same for blue jeans, and the white T-shirt. Martin Sheen’s Kit Carruthers is a double-denim demon, if only he wasn’t so hell-bent on shooting people.

Point Break (1991)

This film is ridiculous in so many ways. They’re surfers that rob banks, but they love Mother Earth and are kind of spiritual but also get high a lot and have loads of sex and party hard but also have a conscience and know the difference between right and wrong. And there’s Keanu Reeves, who is brilliantly rubbish. The key style component is Patrick Swayze, who is hench AF and has the hair of a Californian sun god. May we all be more Bodhi. Vaya con dios, brah.