Nicole Clinton examines some of the most stylish members of the male species to have graced our screens over the last few years*
ZZ –Top once sang “every girl’s crazy ‘bout a sharp dressed man” and although it is hard to admit that a couple of eighties rock stars with extremely long beards have any clue about fashion, they were right. While “sharp dressed” male movie characters do have the extra bonus of displaying the good-looks, charisma and general other-worldliness of the movie star that portrays them, the right style only serves to enhance their personas and appeal. And even though the majority of the noughties biggest films had Hollywood’s actors donning spandex/ mechanical armour (Iron Man, Spiderman) or crazy period costumes (Johnny Depp, I’m talking about you), there were still some examples of male characters who epitomised modern style.
In recent screen outings, the character situation that produces the most fashionable consequences is the double-life leading character that is the billionaire-playboy (who may occasionally dabble in philanthropy) by day and crime fighter (or crime-causer) by night. No recent character embodies slick style more than Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne in The Dark Knight trilogy. Although Michael Keaton’s suits were very in vogue during the late 1980’s/early 1990’s when he starred as Wayne in Tim Burton’s Batman movies, Bale definitely wins the glamour battle. While being Christian Bale (with particularly good hair in the second and third instalments) might win it for him all on its own, his sartorial supremacy can surely be attributed to his Giorgio Armani Made to Measure tailoring. He models a series of dashing looks including a grey pinstripe number and a glen plaid suit, all complete with custom ‘Giorgio Armani for Bruce Wayne’ labelling. His Armani designs create a desirable and sophisticated poise that could only be associated with the overindulgence of Wayne’s public persona and allow for an efficient disguise of his night-time masked- vigilante habits.
Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne in The Dark Knight Trilogy
But Bale is no stranger to elegant suits. He appeared decked out in designer flair back in 2000 when he starred as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho. Although Bateman’s smart suits display excessive wealth and act as a distraction for the character’s nocturnal pursuits, his after-dark persona is at the opposite end of the spectrum to Wayne’s. Cerruti agreed to design the suits for Bale’s serial killer Bateman but refused to allow him to wear the label while engaging in any of his sinister murders.
Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman in American Psycho
A sense of panache is not limited to the billionaire though. Andrew Garfield’s portrayal of Facebook CFO, Eduardo Saverin, in 2010’s The Social Network was the perfect demonstration of how the suit can be worn casually. His smart shirts and dashing peacoats perfectly compliment his clean-cut, black suits. His appreciation for glamour is commented on extensively in the movie and highlights his best friend Mark Zuckerberg’s laid-back aura and zoned out attitude. Eduardo’s reputation for excellent dressing culminates in my favourite scene when his enemy, Sean Parker, makes a dig at his penchant for style, to which Saverin replies (in a true ‘f*** you, you jealous, unfashionable people’ manner) “Sorry! My Prada’s at the cleaners! Along with my hoodie and my ‘f*** you’ flip-flops!”. Eduardo therefore not only demonstrates how men can dress up on a daily basis but also tells us that you don’t have to apologise to the non-believer for being clothes-conscious.
Andrew Garfield as Eduardo Saverin in The Social Network
Ryan Gosling’s character, Jacob Palmer, in 2011’s Crazy, Stupid, Love is another guy whose suits and general get-up ooze flair. In fact, he is so smooth that he looks like he is a permanent part of the glossy furniture of the exclusive bar that he haunts night after night. But he is not greedy with his sophisticated taste. He recognises the cry for help that Steve Carrell’s runners and suit combination screams and decides to impose some of the style that he seeps on him. If that’s not charity, I don’t know what is.
Ryan Gosling as Jacob Palmer in Crazy Stupid Love.
As the modern world drowns in a sea of hoodies and tracksuit pants, it sometimes becomes difficult to remember that glamour also exists for the male population. Therefore, I would like to thank Christian, Andrew and Ryan (plus the other actors who have portrayed stylish characters who I didn’t have space to mention) for highlighting the appeal that men’s style can exemplify through their chic movie characters.
*This article was originally published in The UCC Express in October 2013 during my time as fashion editor.
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