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Steve McQueen. James Dean. Cary Grant. Alain Delon. What do these likely lads have in common? That’s right, they’re all frequently praised for their effortless, iconic style. No arguments there. But what about the lesser-lauded candidates, waiting in the wings in their Sunday best? Sometimes you’ll clock them immediately, often you’ll twig them down the line. A little like dusting off a family photo album for a trip down memory lane, only to realise that your very own father was a style icon himself. Part one of Overlooked Style Icons celebrates the often forgotten; the style heroes we chose not to see.
Steve McQueen. James Dean. Cary Grant. Alain Delon. What do these likely lads have in common? That’s right, they’re all frequently praised for their effortless, iconic style. No arguments there. But what about the lesser-lauded candidates, waiting in the wings in their Sunday best? Sometimes you’ll clock them immediately, often you’ll twig them down the line. A little like dusting off a family photo album for a trip down memory lane, only to realise that your very own father was a style icon himself. Part one of Overlooked Style Icons celebrates the often forgotten; the style heroes we chose not to see.
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1). Harry Burns
Harry Burns, master of the style down-play, rocks an impressive array of menswear staples across the 12 years and 3 months in ‘When Harry Met Sally’. From beautiful wool overcoats, to understated check shirts, Harry’s taste is pretty damn faultless. You will, whether you like it or not, find yourself pausing playback to take notes. It is this cream cable-knit, though, that truly steals the show – deftly rolled at the cuffs, perfectly moc-necked and just the right side of oversized. Top points Harry. Go get Sally!
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2.) Hans Gruber
‘These guys are mostly European, judging by their clothing labels and cigarettes. They’re well financed, and very slick’ says a white-vested John McClane, with an eye for the particular. Speaking plainly, the entire mob of terrorists in Die Hard are well-dressed, but it’s head honcho Hans Gruber – West Germany’s bastion of sartorial swag – that really oozes elegance. ‘Nice suit. John Phillips, London. I have two myself’ notes Gruber in his blue/grey/black ensemble, moments away from escorting Mr Tagaki to the end of his life. Terrible agenda, impeccable taste.
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3). Tom Ripley
Sat in Dickie Greenleaf’s shadow is Tom Ripley, everyone’s favourite chameleon. Yet before you find yourself deeply concerned with identity theft on the Italian coast, take a moment to look at Ripley’s pre-Greenleaf get up (bear with us here). American Optical safety glasses, thick corduroy blazers and comfy non-iron oxford shirts. Ripley was busting out the oversized trend before it was cool. We don’t condone his actions, but a glance at his preppy ‘dad’ flex is warranted. Just don’t get in a boat with the guy.
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4). Mark Taffin
Yes, we know, Pierce Brosnan would appear debonair in a bin bag. But it’s during his portrayal of Mark Taffin in which we learn the challenging art of donning a leather coat with enviable aplomb. Much to our fascination, his choice selection of open-collared shirts and pride-of-place pendant flaunting teeters just on the brink of full-blown sleaze. It’s a dangerous game you’re playing, Taffin, but you’ve earnt your place.
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5). Withnail
‘I’m 30 in a month and I’ve got a sole flapping from my shoe’. Down and out in Camden Town dwells poor Withnail, a struggling actor with not a penny to his name. However, amidst the filth and melodrama, we have ourselves a diamond in the rough. A tattered and battered tweed long coat is the cornerstone of Withnail’s wardrobe, paired (in true thespian form) with lived-in shirt & cravat combos and perhaps most notably, a beautiful tartan scarf, artfully flung over the shoulder. A meandering mess of a man, but never without a tailor’s touch.
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6). Dalton
Road House’s main man. You know the guy. Sends drunk punters sky high through crowded barn dances, drives an imported Benz and lives in a loft apartment above a tractor. What was the salary of a Missouri head of security again? Reality check – Dalton was wearing light wash Levi’s and western buckle belts 30 years before you. We can’t decide what we like the most…the weightless revere collar, the spray-on black moc neck tee, or the mullet (maybe we’re kidding, maybe we’re not).
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7). Anon in Layer Cake
It’s time to cast your mind back to the early noughties. Before crashing Aston Martins and wearing Tom Ford suits, we saw Daniel Craig in a gangster flick whilst a quaff-haired Pierce Brosnan (see Mark Taffin) still held the title of Bond in a Brioni suit. Our unnamed protagonist, running a drug-racket in London, wore our favourite outfit of 2004. There was something very clean and unfussy about RM Williams boots, a plain grey tee, Levis 501s and (what we later discovered) was a Dunhill leather jacket.
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