BAMF Style

Alec Guinness' Tropical Khaki Drill Uniform in The Bridge on the River Kwai » BAMF Style WWII POW Lt. Col. Nicholson maintains his dignified decorum in khaki bush jacket, matching trousers, officer's cap, Sam Browne belt, gaiters, and boots.

As the proud Lt. Col. Nicholson in The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), Alec Guinness—who died 25 years ago today on August 5, 2000—wears a distressed khaki drill (KD) bush jacket and matching trousers, a British Army uniform authorized for personnel serving in tropical areas during World War II.

Daniel Craig's Cream Linen Suit in Queer » BAMF Style Lee's "uniform of a broken dandy" consists of sweaty cream linen off-the-rack suits with yellowing popover shirts, gray trilby, glasses, and holstered gat.

Daniel Craig stars in Queer (2024) as the alter ego of source author William S. Burroughs—who died today in 1997—dressed by costume designer Jonathan Anderson in slouchy off-white linen suits, yellowing popover sport shirts, OWB-holstered .38 snubnose, gray felt trilby, and plastic-framed specs.

Dillinger (1973): Geoffrey Lewis' Striped Suit as Harry Pierpont » BAMF Style Dillinger's "1970s-does-'30s" costume design adapts contemporary suiting like Pierpont's multi-striped wool with period details like odd vest and boater.

Born 90 years ago today, Geoffrey Lewis’ diverse filmography included a memorable supporting turn in Dillinger (1973) as real-life 1930s bank robber Harry Pierpont, pairing his charcoal multi-striped suit, blue patterned ties, and gray waistcoat with straw boaters for the gang’s high-caliber heists.

One Way Passage: William Powell's Shipboard Flannel Suit » BAMF Style Ready for both a lovers' tryst and going on the lam, Dan wears a smart flannel three-piece suit with grenadine tie, Panama hat, and suede shoes in Hawaii.

Born July 29, 1892, William Powell’s screen career was characterized by debonair style and dynamic chemistry with his leading ladies—as seen in the 1932 romantic drama One Way Passage, wearing a light flannel three-piece suit, suede oxfords, and Panama hat for a stop in Hawaii with Kay Francis.

Sam Shepard's Denim Western-wear in Fool for Love » BAMF Style Eddie's hard-worn cowboy clothes include a Resistol straw hat, blanket-lined Levi's trucker jacket, Lee shirt and jeans, rodeo belt buckle, and taped boots.

Fool for Love (1985) stars Sam Shepard—who also wrote the source play and died eight years ago today—as Eddie, whose cowboy bona fides are illustrated by his distressed triple denim from Levi’s and Lee, straw Resistol pinch-front hat, duct-taped boots with spurs, and hefty rodeo belt buckle.

Bob Dylan's Black Leather Jacket at Newport 1965: Timothée Chalamet in A Complete Unknown » BAMF Style Dylan reflected his shift from folks roots to rock at Newport '65, taking the stage in black leather jacket, bespoke tab-collar shirt, and super-slim jeans.

Sixty years ago tonight on July 25, 1965, Bob Dylan shocked Newport with an electric guitar and a sharp new look: black leather jacket, orange tab-collar shirt, and Chelsea boots, faithfully recreated by Arianne Phillips’ Oscar-nommed costume design for Timothée Chalamet in A Complete Unknown (2024)

Blood Simple: Dan Hedaya's Slate Leisure Suit » BAMF Style We're introduced to Julian Marty in a slate-blue leisure suit and coordinated plaid shirt, complete with Texan-informed cowboy boots and horseshoe ring.

Born 85 years ago today, Dan Hedaya appeared in the Coen brothers’ 1984 directorial debut Blood Simple as Julian Marty, an irascible Texas bar owner introduced in an already-dated slate-blue leisure suit with added Lone Star swagger from his russet cowboy boots and a diamond-studded horseshoe ring.

The Loveless: Willem Dafoe as Leather-clad Biker Vance » BAMF Style Willem Dafoe made his black leather-clad big-screen debut as 1950s biker Vance in The Loveless, dressed in classic motorcycle jacket and matching pants.

Happy 70th birthday to Willem Dafoe, who made his screen debut as the black leather-clad biker Vance in Kathryn Bigelow and Monty Montgomery’s 1981 directorial debut, The Loveless, set in late ‘50s Georgia.

Vance pairs his moto jacket with matching pants, wraparound shades, and engineer boots.

Scarface: Paul Shenar's Subdued Style as Sosa » BAMF Style Alejandro Sosa favors elegance over opulence in sun-washed neutrals like his windbreaker, slacks, and white voile shirt with subtle gold affectations.

Unlike his criminal contemporaries in Scarface (1983), Alejandro Sosa (Paul Shenar) prefers understated elegance over brash opulence, introduced wearing a silky beige windbreaker, white voile open-neck shirt, and crisp cream pleated trousers—plus subtle gold touches like his watch and pinky ring.

La Collectionneuse: Patrick Bauchau's Slate Sweater and Swimwear » BAMF Style Adrien often wears pilled sweater and black jeans over swim trunks with his espadrilles for lazy days in Saint-Tropez—timeless but rooted in '60s cool.

Patrick Bauchau’s Adrien set the standard for cool coastal style during his Saint-Tropez sojourn in Éric Rohmer’s 1967 drama La Collectionneuse, including a pilled slate-blue sweater, black jeans, and navy espadrilles—all shed at the sea’s edge to reveal squared navy trunks with orange terry trim.

Point Break: Keanu Reeves' Purple Skydiving Shirt and Jeans » BAMF Style Vitals Keanu Reeves as Johnny Utah, ambitious FBI agent Los Angeles, Summer 1991 Film: Point Break Release Date: July 12, 1991 Director: Kathryn Bigelow Costume Supervisors: Colby P. Bart & Louis Infa...

On World Skydiving Day—and the anniversary of Point Break’s July 12, 1991 release—read more about the loose purple two-pocket button-up shirt, gray tank top, blue denim Levi’s jeans, and cowboy boots that Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) wears when skydiving twice in the same day!

Shaft in Africa: Richard Roundtree's Blazer and Turtleneck » BAMF Style Shaft adapts his turtleneck-centric attire to look the part of a globe-trotting '70s spy in his dark blazer and beige slacks en route Africa.

Born 83 years ago today in 1942, the late Richard Roundtree defined cool as John Shaft—right through Shaft in Africa (1973).

For his flight to Ethiopia, he adapts his usual turtleneck-and-tailoring style with an orange ribbed roll-neck, dark navy blazer, beige flared slacks, and black ankle boots.

Duster: Josh Holloway's Black Zip Polo and 1970 Plymouth » BAMF Style The pilot establishes Jim’s signature look of a super-’70s shirt, rugged jeans with a wallet chain, hardy boots, and bund-strapped Rolex among his jewelry.

In the first episode of Duster—which concluded its first season last week, we meet Jim Ellis (Josh Holloway) as he speeds his titular 1970 Plymouth up to a desert phone booth and steps out in a black ribbed quarter-zip shirt, Levi’s “orange tab” jeans, cowboy boots, and bund-strapped Rolex Datejust.

Reservoir Dogs — Michael Madsen's Black Suit and Cadillac as Mr. Blonde » BAMF Style Mr. Blonde's razor-packing cowboy boots and wayfarers add an individual edge to the black suits, white shirts, and skinny ties issued to Cabot's crooks.

R.I.P. Michael Madsen (1957-2025), who brought cold-blooded charisma—and his own ‘66 Cadillac—to his iconic performance as Vic “Mr. Blonde” Vega in Reservoir Dogs (1992), distinguishing his take on the thieves’ black suit jacket, white shirt, and black tie with his own cowboy boots and Wayfarers.

Back to the Future: Marty McFly's Denim and DeLorean from 1985 to 1955 » BAMF Style All-American teen Marty McFly sports blue Guess denim with his red puffer vest, checked shirt, suspenders, and Nike Bruins when traveling from 1985 to 1955.

Back to the Future was released 40 years ago today in 1985, following Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) speeding Doc Brown’s DeLorean back to 1955 where he looks out of place in his ‘80s garb: Guess denim jacket and jeans, Nike Bruins, Casio calculator watch, and especially his orange-red down vest!

mayor vaughn from Jaws: "For Christ's sake, tomorrow is the fourth of July"

see, he wasn't wrong about everything

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World: Dick Shawn's Red Dodge Dart and Beach Duds » BAMF Style Still wearing his red trunks and white CVOs, off-duty lifeguard Sylvester Marcus springs into action, pulling on a white jacket as he leaps into a red Dart.

The sprawling cast—and cars—of the 1963 comedy It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World includes Dick Shawn as impulsive lifeguard Sylvester Marcus, who pulls a white zip-up jacket over his red swim trunks as he leaps into his girlfriend’s red ‘62 Dodge Dart convertible when he gets a call from his mother.

The White Lotus: Walton Goggins Arrives in Thailand in a Mexico-Print Shirt » BAMF Style Rick establishes his usual style of a tropical-print shirt and loose trousers in the Mexico-motif Guess shirt and olive cargo pants for his arrival.

Rick Hatchett (Walton Goggins) arrives on his Thai vacation in the 3rd season of The White Lotus dressed in the first of several bold printed shirts—this one a vintage Guess shirt with a Mexico motif, worn with olive cargo pants, Ray-Ban Wayfarers, and Rolex Datejust. Costume design by Alex Bovaird.

Happy #NationalMeteorWatchDay!

Assuming this annual observance calls on the nation to watch Ronald Neame’s 1979 sci-fi flop Meteor, post your favorite of Sean Connery’s costumes. Obviously I choose the shearling coat, tweed leisure suit, and turtleneck.

The Great Gatsby: Sam Waterston's Tan Suit as Nick » BAMF Style Vitals Sam Waterston as Nick Carraway, impressionable bachelor and bond salesman Long Island, New York, Summer 1925 Film: The Great Gatsby Release Date: March 29, 1974 Director: Jack Clayton Costume D...

In the 1974 adaptation of The Great Gatsby, Theoni V. Aldredge’s Oscar-winning ‘20s costume design contrasts Gatsby’s sartorial spectacle with Nick’s subdued elegance, exemplified by the tan gabardine suit Sam Waterston wears with a pinned shirt collar, foulard tie, and two-tone spectator oxfords.

Thunderball: Rik Van Nutter's Tropical Shirts as Felix Leiter » BAMF Style Unlike Bond's refined summer style for the Bahamas, Felix Leiter looks every bit the American tourist in tropical popover shirts and red baseball cap.

The sun-bleached 1965 James Bond adventure Thunderball takes Sean Connery’s Bond and his CIA ally Felix Leiter (Rik Van Nutter) to the Bahamas, where Felix’s American tourist style—including brash tropical-printed popover shirts and red cap—contrast with 007’s more sophisticated summer fashions.

Summertime: Rossano Brazzi's Glen Plaid Suit » BAMF Style Rossano Brazzi exemplifies elegant Italian tailoring in his glen plaid suit and medallion tie for a summer evening in St. Mark's Square.

“The first time I saw you… you were wearing a yellow tie,” Katharine Hepburn recalls of Rossano Brazzi’s Renato in Summertime (1955), released in the U.S. 70 years ago yesterday. In addition to this yellow printed tie, Renato wears a fine glen plaid suit, representative of elegant Italian tailoring.

Jaws: Roy Scheider's Layers at Sea as Chief Brody » BAMF Style Chief Brody dressed for the sea in hardy layered workwear like a chambray shirt, mock-neck sweater, and waterproof rain-suit—as well as his usual glasses.

Released 50 years ago today on June 20, 1975, Jaws stars Roy Scheider as Amity Island police chief Martin Brody, who dresses for a shark hunt at sea in hardy layered workwear—including a chambray shirt, navy mock-neck, and waterproof rain-suit—as well as his usual glasses and gold Hamilton watch 🦈

Robert Ryan in The Wild Bunch » BAMF Style Deke Thornton bridges the old west and 20th century sensibilities in his black-piped brown herringbone jacket, pinched-crown cowboy hat, gunbelt, and boots.

Released 56 years ago today, Sam Peckinpah’s 1969 western The Wild Bunch features an ensemble cast including Robert Ryan as Deke Thornton—hunting his old gang with a Winchester carbine, a dusty pinched-crown hat and brown herringbone 3/2-roll jacket, and a thousand-yard stare that says it all.

George C. Scott's Funky Brown Shirt and Tan Blazer in Hardcore » BAMF Style Jake Van Dorn adapts his usual blazer and slacks when undercover in the Cali porn world, sporting an uncharacteristically funky brown polyester disco shirt.

“Oh my God, that’s my daughter…”

George C. Scott stars in Hardcore (1979) as a Midwestern family man who immerses himself in the California porn scene in search of his missing daughter, adopting an “undercover” wardrobe of funky-printed polyester disco shirts with coordinated blazers.

Like His Music, Brian Wilson’s Style Was Deceptively Complex

Honored to chat with Guy Trebay and contribute thoughts about Brian Wilson’s lasting style and sound for his excellent @nytimes.com article.

Ben Johnson's Cream Suit in The Town That Dreaded Sundown » BAMF Style Captain Morales dresses to make an instant impression in his bleached three-piece suit, paired with his usual ranger regalia of a cowboy hat and boots.

Born today (June 13) in 1918, Ben Johnson brought his rugged persona to 1976 horror classic The Town That Dreaded Sundown as J.D. Morales—inspired by the real Texas Ranger who investigated the 1946 Texarkana Moonlight Murders—arriving in a cream suit with his usual cowboy hat, gun-belt, and boots.

Night Moves: Gene Hackman's Ivory Levi's Shirt-Jacket » BAMF Style Harry Moseby's neutral tones for the Florida-set finale include an untucked ivory cotton Levi's shirt, covering the .38 snub in the waistband of his khakis.

Gene Hackman starred as football pro-turned-P.I. Harry Moseby in the neo-noir Night Moves, released 50 years ago today on June 11, 1975.

For the Florida Keys-set finale, he dressed in an ivory denim-weight cotton Levi’s shirt-jacket—untucked to cover the .38 snub in the waistband of his tan jeans.

Mission: Impossible — Tom Cruise's Black Leather Blazer as Ethan Hunt » BAMF Style Rebooting the MI franchise for the '90s introduced Ethan Hunt and his updated wardrobe of a leather blazer and black jeans with soft sweaters and T-shirts.

Brian De Palma’s 1996 reboot of Mission: Impossible introduced agent Ethan Hunt (played by Tom Cruise), dressed by costume designer Penny Rose as the quintessential ‘90s cool guy in a black leather sport jacket, black jeans, and rotation of sweaters and tees with his Casio DW290-V1 digital watch.

Dean Martin's Matching Cabana Set in Artists and Models » BAMF Style "King of Cool" Dean Martin looks relaxed yet refined in his matching cabana set and cross-strap sandals while romancing Dorothy Malone in Artists & Models.

Born today (June 7) in 1917, Dean Martin was known for his tuxedoes but remained stylish even when dressing down for summer—demonstrated by his beige slubby silk cabana set with its colorful plaid trim, worn with tan sandals while singing to Dorothy Malone in the 1955 comedy Artists and Models.