Men's Fashion in Film

[strugglesthebear]

To help Neo sartorially channel "The One" in his duster-length wool coat, The Matrix costume designer Kym Barrett looked at a mix of cultures and religions around the globe, starting with Japanese Samurai and 18th century Chinese warriors in the vein of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Barrett also incorporated influences of "cassocks" worn by clergy leaders in various Western religions.

[strugglesthebear]

Steve Van Doren, son of Vans co-founder Paul Van Doren, previously told the LA Times, "Fast Times (at Ridgemont High) definitely put us on the map. We were about a $20-million company before the movie came out, and we were on track for $40 million to $45 million after that."

[strugglesthebear]

“North by Northwest isn’t about what happens to Cary Grant, it’s about what happens to his suit. The suit has the adventures, a gorgeous New York suit threading its way through America. The suit, Cary inside it, strides with confidence into the Plaza Hotel. Nothing bad happens to it until one of the greasy henchmen grasps Cary by the shoulder. We’re already in love with this suit and it feels like a real violation.”

-Todd McEwen in Nine Movies That Made Me the Wreck I Am Today

[strugglesthebear]

In 8 1/2, Marcello Mastroianni's tailored two-piece, black tie, and white shirt have remained a paragon of Mediterranean cool. However, the oversized black frames, both modern and slightly professorial, have become as inseparable from Mastroianni's persona as his dapper dress.

[strugglesthebear]

In Wall Street, Gordon Gekko's suits were tailored to perfection, with sharp silhouettes and bold patterns. His preferred color palette revolved around classic neutrals, such as navy, charcoal grey, and pinstripes, exuding both authority and elegance.

[strugglesthebear]

“American Gigolo is not even about its protagonist, it is about what he wears. American Gigolo is about Armani.” 

- Lord Christopher Laverty, author of "Fashion in Film"

[strugglesthebear]

In Drive (2011), Ryan Gosling wears a 1950s style Korean satin bomber jacket. On its back is embroidered a scorpion. The jacket was custom made. This style of jacket was popular in the 1950s during and after the Korean war, and had large embroidered images on the back.

[strugglesthebear]

"I had fun making <The Wild One>, but never expected it to have the impact it did. I was as surprised as anyone when T-shirts, jeans and leather jackets suddenly became symbols of rebellion…”

–Marlon Brando (with Robert Lindsey) in Brando: Songs My Mother Taught Me, New York: Random House, 1994, p. 175

[strugglesthebear]

James Dean’s look in Rebel Without a Cause helped define ‘classic’ - straight-fitting blue jeans, crisp white tee, and a red Harrington zipped up halfway.