Note: voting is now closed
Annual best-dressed lists often make little sense. That's because a whole lot of backroom politicking and planning go into them. So Esquire is once again asking you, dear reader, to decide upon our Best-Dressed Man of the Year. Last week, Tom Hiddleston scored an upset against bookies' favourite, Harry Styles. And so it's onto the penultimate round: Benedict Cumberbatch vs. Sebastian Stan.
They said American celebrities were far better at celebritydom. That they're born to it. Cooler on camera, yes. Better teeth, perhaps. But that's all changing. Not only have this week's contenders starred in the same universe (the Marvel one, in case you were wondering), they've always both been so well-dressed they've made it to our semi-finals. No mean feat. And it's difficult to say that the American is the more natural showman: across the pond, Benedict Cumberbatch is a worthy adversary to Sebastian Stan.
For the former, it was a standard start to the year. BAFTA blue suits. Neutral overcoats and scarves, that sort of thing. But then something funny started happening. In the middle of 2019, Cumberbatch stepped out in New York wearing a 'fit straight from the Supreme queue: terracotta workwear, with a 'Choose Love' T-shirt below. Of course, in an age of advanced menswear, it's not earth-shattering. But it is a left-field step for a man who was once considered a firm traditionalist. And lest we forget the Met Gala's Studio 54 El Presidente. The internet did ignite.
All of which isn't so dissimilar to Sebastian Stan. Suits are his go-to, but worn his way, with shades of rust red and forest green poured into classic two-pieces. Trousers swell in size (and impact), with the 37-year-old pulling off the wide silhouette with aplomb. Shirts go just as big. And then there's the knitwear, which works year-round (yes, even in times of global warming), like the mustard and earth-tone striped number he wore for a Comic-Con appearance.
So, who makes the final? The man on a menswear ascent, or the man who always made moves?
