Pros & Icons: Fall Layering Edition
The key to dressing well? Take your cues from the legends.
At InsideHook, we’ve never really shied away from emulating other stylish gents on the journey to sartorial success. Using the dapper fits of others as inspiration for your own ensembles is an easy and very acceptable shortcut to looking your best.
And who better to emulate than iconically dapper characters from the silver screen? After all, seasoned professionals were paid handsome sums to concoct these getups, and their hard work can be your windfall if you know where to look.
Thus we’ve partnered with our friends at Banana Republic to bring you seven indelible menswear looks from the world of cinema, complete with the takeaways from each and a selection of pieces to consider should you wish to put your own spin on them (spoiler alert: you should).
Being that we’re moving into fall, our focus this go-round is on handsome sweaters, dapper jackets and a couple other key items that should prove useful as the temperature dips. Stay cozy, look sharp. Win-win.
The Icon:
Daniel Craig as iconic superspy James Bond in Quantum of Solace (2008)
The Lesson:
If there were ever any doubt that a shawl cardigan could serve as an alternative — perhaps even an upgrade — to a traditional navy blazer, let 007 put it to rest as he has countless henchmen the world over. A simple but impactful substitution, try this and then brace yourself for a barrage of compliments. Pro tip: a pair of stylish sunnies is an excellent touch.
The Gear:
SUPIMA® Cotton Cardigan Sweater
Slim-Fit Non-Iron Dress Shirt
Aiden Slim Rapid Movement Chino
Realey Leather Chukka Boot
Hiram Sunglasses
The Icon:
Chris Evans as duplicitous family scion Ransom Drysdale in Knives Out (2019)
The Lesson:
An off-white cable-knit sweater is the ultimate fall base layer — the texture gives it a welcome dose of personality, while the color (or lack thereof) makes it a terrific backdrop for additional swaggy outfit elements like a camel coat or colorful scarf. Keep the trousers muted (but maybe in the same color family as the scarf, see below) and you can’t lose.
The Gear:
SUPIMA® Cable-Knit Sweater
Italian Melton Topcoat
Athletic Tapered Traveler Pant
Lightweight Plaid Scarf
Dellbrook Italian Leather Loafer
The Icon:
Henry Golding as equal parts dapper/psychopathic gangster Dry Eye in The Gentlemen (2019)
The Lesson:
The main takeaway here should be that anyone who says a turtleneck can’t be badass is either an idiot, a liar or both. The key is to keep the overall fit dark and largely monochromatic and add a couple punchy elements like an eye-catching jacket and/or necklace overtop. A superslick haircut never hurt, either.
The Gear:
Italian Merino Turtleneck Sweater
Corduroy Trucker Jacket
Slim City Pant
Brendt Crepe-Sole Chukka Boot
Zodiac Disc Necklace
The Icon:
Robert Redford as cocky Olympic skier David Chapellet in Downhill Racer (1969)
The Lesson:
While Double R’s shearling coat is no doubt the showstopper element of this ensemble, it’s important to note the casual layering underneath as well — too often guys are convinced that a v-neck sweater is the only kind you can wear over a collared shirt, or that a crewneck sweater must be worn on its own. In reality, a casual button-up under a crewneck is a very cool, collegiate look. And while yes, a shearling coat certainly helps the overall effect, a handsome suede shirt jacket works just as well without putting a massive dent in your wallet.
The Gear:
Organic Cotton Crew-Neck Sweater
Untucked Standard-Fit Cotton Oxford Shirt
Suede Shirt Jacket
Slim Traveler Corduroy Chino
Brendt Crepe-Sole Chukka Boot
The Icon:
Rock Hudson as coastal playboy Robert Talbot in Come September (1961)
The Lesson:
Similar to our point above, another common (and unfortunate) sartorial misconception is that a v-neck sweater must be worn with something underneath it. Hudson is proof positive that rocking the v-neck solo and letting a little chest show is a rakish look, particularly when the weather is still warm, the sweater is in a lighter hue and you pair it with a slim white trouser and pair of loafers. Italian villa and Vespa date with Gina Lollobrigida not required, but certainly recommended.
The Gear:
Merino V-Neck Sweater in Responsible Wool
Slim Traveler Chino
Larr Suede Loafer
Reversible Leather Dress Belt
Hook & Albert Mélange CORDURA® Garment Weekender
The Icon:
Denzel Washington as charismatic accidental gumshoe Easy Rawlins in Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)
The Lesson:
Denzel is rocking what we like to refer to as the “shirt squared” concept: a lightweight button-front jacket layered over a (tucked-in) button-up shirt, with all elements kept to the same color family for consistency and the jacket and pants as close a match as you can manage. As for fit, relaxed-meets-tailored is the name of the game. And if you want to throw on a fedora to take things up a notch, we’re certainly not going to stop you.
The Gear:
Wool-Blend Trucker Jacket
Heritage Flannel Shirt Jacket
Slim Traveler Pant
Hadley Italian Leather Brogue Oxford
Pebbled Leather Belt
The Icon:
Michael J. Fox as time-travelin’ teenager Marty McFly in Back to the Future (1985)
The Lesson:
These are tricky waters, so stick with us — Marty’s overall look is a tad over-the-top, but the basic layering concept is sound. A quilted vest (albeit one that is slightly less puffy and decidedly less orange) looks great over a classic denim jacket, and a solid grey button-up keeps the general aesthetic more tonal and contemporary (as does a darker denim). The turned-out cuffs are a pretty bold move, but if you’re feeling extra saucy, we say what the hell, go for it.
The Gear:
Motion Tech Quilted Vest
Denim Trucker Jacket
Untucked Slim-Fit Double-Weave Shirt
Slim Rapid Movement Denim Jean
Nicklas Leather Sneaker
Illustrations by Dylan O. Brien
Thanks for reading InsideHook.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get more stories just like this.