The Best-Dressed Men in Cinema And Where to Shop Their Look
Outfits worn by actors that I'd wear today
The relationship between fashion and the silver screen has been there since the very early days of the medium. Costume design is more than just aesthetics; it's a storytelling device that offers a window into a character's psyche. When used effectively, it can even reveal how a character has changed, for better or worse.
Just the mere mention of certain films will instantly bring to mind the iconic costumes or outfits worn by leading characters. Think Raiders of the Lost Ark and its Harrison Ford in a half-opened shirt beneath a dark brown leather jacket and hat; thinkThe Matrix and its Keanu Reeves as Neo in a head to toe black outfit, with his long leather coat almost touching the floor; or think The Big Lebowski and its Jeff Bridges in, well, a dressing gown.
However, even off-screen, some actors embodied a level of elegance or coolness that we mere common folk could only dream of replicating. Today, these actors are considered to still be some of the most influential style icons. And for good reason. Their outfits look just as good now as they did 60 or 70 years ago.
Below, I look at three of my favourite actors who were not just incredible performers, but were also wonderful at putting together an outfit. I’ve picked an outfit of theirs that I think can be easily worn today and have selected an item from a current designer that I think captures that essence.
If you missed it, I wrote a similar piece to this one which looks at some of the best-dressed men in jazz. You can read it here.
Alain Delon
There’s no list such as this that should omit Alain Delon. He was simply one of the best-dressed men of all-time. As if that wasn’t enough, he was also an immensely talented actor who had a quiet, but intense screen presence that was full to the brim with charm.
Although he passed away in 2024, Delon left behind a cinematic legacy that any actor would envy. From his stunning work with Jean-Pierre Melville in Le Samouraï and Le Cercle Rouge to Antonioni’s classic, L’Eclisse, and two epics from Luchino Visconti in Rocco and His Brothers and The Leopard, Delon was consistently great in some of cinema’s most celebrated films.
Delon always looked good. Both on the screen and off it. I always think of him in flowy shirts and soft tailoring, emphasising his boyish and carefree nature. He had plenty of fantastic looks throughout the decades and aged gracefully whilst retaining his sense of style.
I was tempted to pick the iconic trench coat look from Le Samouraï for this list, but instead I’ve chosen a much simpler look. Not everyone can pull off a trench coat (myself included!), but almost anyone can wear a sports jacket and shirt like the one in the above photo of Delon.
As is always the case with fashion, small details matter. Here, the soft shoulder of the jacket gives Delon a little bit of structure without overwhelming him. The shirt cuffs poke out just the perfect amount, and I find a nice wide lapel to be almost always better than a thinner one.
For a similar look today, I’ve chosen one of my new favourite brands: Natalino. Natalino are based in the UK, but work with suppliers and warehouses across Europe, including Italy and Portugal, as well as Japan. In my opinion, they make some of the best off the rack tailoring you’re likely to find for the price point. In fact, I recently picked up one of their sports jackets in a navy wool flannel and it fits me better than some tailored jackets I’ve had made for me in the past.
While it’s not a direct match with Delon’s, I absolutely love the below navy grey houndstooth wool sports jacket and think it would suit just about everyone. Even those of us who are not quite as handsome as Delon was.
Marcello Mastroianni
When I think of Marcello Mastroianni, I think of tailoring. Not just any type of tailoring, but the most perfectly tailored two-piece suits you can imagine. And he always looked natural, and comfortable in them. It’s hard to think of Mastroianni and not think of him wearing a suit.
In fact, when I mentioned early on in this article about an outfit or costume coming immediately to mind when thinking of a film, I’d like to add Mastroianni’s black suit and sunglasses from Federico Fellini’s 8½. What’s incredible is that it’s the most simple of outfits, and it’s one that’s not worn by professor of archaeology cracking a whip, a computer programmer descending into a hellish sci-fi reality, or a slacker who loves bowling. That’s the power of a great fit, and someone who could pull it off just right.
Mastroianni made himself known on the international stage through his collaborations with Fellini in 8½, La Dolce Vita, and Roma, but my favourite performace of his is in one of my very favourite films, Ettore Scola’s A Special Day. Mastroianni acts alongside Sofia Loren, both playing roles that go against their usual type; Loren playing the exhausted housewife and Mastroianni the meek and anxiety-ridden intellectual with a secret. These incredible performances anchor this exceptional film that really should be spoken about more.
Back to Mastroianni and suits. One of my favourite looks from him is the above two piece in what appears to be either a beige or grey. The fit is exceptional, from the size of the lapels to the pleats in the trousers, and every element works together in harmony.
However, there’s one item here that I very much don’t like when it’s worn with a suit and that’s a belt. While I think the outfit would be even better without it, I think he’s chosen the right belt if there was one. Perhaps it’s just down to the level of confidence or nonchalance he’s exuding, but it somehow works.
For a modern equivalent, I’ve not chosen an item per se, but a brand. And not just any brand, but in my opinion the best tailors that Australia has to offer: P. Johnson. Having first been established in 2009, P. Johnson has now branched outside of Australia with branches in New York and London. Their tailoring is timeless and elegant. I had the suit for my wedding designed and made at P. Johnson and it’s one that I have worn to every formal outing since. They also have a great ready-to-wear range that includes casual wear and accessories.
The below is just an example of a stunning two-piece that would have looked as good in the 1960s and it does today. I love the brown and light blue combination, and it drapes perfectly. It’s even got a belt that I don’t think looks too egregious!
Toshiro Mifune
Toshiro Mifune is probably best known as one of Akira Kurosawa’s samurai. He was one of the most iconic actors of world cinema, bringing an energy to the screen that I don’t think has ever been matched. He was often the best part of every film he was ever in, from Seven Samurai to High and Low, Rashomon, and Yojimbo.
As most of his roles were in films set hundreds of years in the past, Mifune was probably not one that immediately came to mind as being a brilliant modern dresser. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Just do a quick online search and you’ll come across dozens of images of Mifune in knitwear, t-shirts, suits, and summer shirts that look better than most of his contemporaries, let alone what many in the entertainment business and beyond are wearing today.
I adore the above fit, or at least what you can see of it. The long sleeve polo is incredible, and it’s obviously one of quality. It fits Mifune perfectly, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen one with such as good a collar as this one, which flairs right across his collarbone. Unfortunately, these days most polo’s look like something that should be worn exclusively on the golf course, where function comes at the expense of form. However, the one Mifune is wearing here doesn’t make any concessions. It looks comfortable, cosy, and elegant, and could easily be worn with a sports jacket or even a suit.
I didn’t intentionally pick a Japanese brand, but one naturally came to mind when I thought of long sleeve polo tops: Beams Plus. Beams Plus is a heritage line from the iconic Japanese label, Beams, which has been making American-inspired clothing since the 1970s from their Harajuku outpost. Beams Plus narrows in on ivy-inspired menswear and workwear, utilising the very best fabrics and craftsmanship.
Beams Plus has quite a few long sleeve polo tops to choose from, all made from different fabrics, weights, and featuring different designs. The one that I think strikes the balance perfectly, and conveniently looks closest to the one Mifune is wearing above, is their 9G knit. It’s made from 100% wool, has ribbed cuffs and hem, and I think would look great under a tailored jacket.
Thanks for reading! I’m going to close this mini impromptu series out in a little while with The Best-Dressed Men in Literature And Where to Stop Their Look. I hope to have that available in the coming weeks. For now, I’ll leave you with my recommended album of the week. I’m feeling in the mood for a soundtrack, which seems appropriate given the content of this post, and what better choice could there be than Eric Demarsan’s brilliantly melancholic score for Army of Shadows/L'Armée des ombres, my very favourite film of all-time.
Jeez, Joel. You really nailed this column.
Love this!!!