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, Benedict Cumberbatch beat out Sebastian Stan. And so we finally decide our winner for 2019 as he stands toe-to-toe with Tom Hiddleston.
The Best-Dressed Man of 2019 is quite the accolade. Nor is it one we bestow lightly. After 14 weeks of fans, stans and by-a-whisker wins, we've hit the final: Tom Hiddleston vs. Benedict Cumberbatch.
Once, British talent was seen as awkward and self-deprecating compared to its Hollywood cousins. No longer. The likes of Timothée Chalamet and Sebastian Stan have all fallen, with two of our own making the top two. And with good reason.
After a standout year, Hiddleston has doubled down on a uniform that works, and upgraded it in the process. We mean navy. Lots and lots of clean, classic navy that would suit any man. Like Tom Ford, there's merit in finding your best battle armour. But look to recent iterations in stripes-on-stripes and Ralph Lauren perfect matches, and the 38-year-old has souped-up a classic. That's no easy feat, either.
Where Hiddleston has always remained solid, his competitor has hit a steady incline. Once upon a time, Cumberbatch wore the standard, BAFTA-approved two-piece – which is no bad thing. Now, however he settles for terracotta workwear. Slogan T-shirts. Navy-black combos. That sort of thing. And it all culminated at fashion's big fancy dress party, with the Avengers star going el presidente for the Met Gala in a disco-dancing banana republic outfit (walking cane included).
A strong final. Very strong in fact. And since Esquire could never pick between two of its favourite children, we're asking you to do the job for us.
So, who wins? The consistent Brit with a foundation of good suits? Or the sleeper hit who's upgraded his wardrobe?
