Hot on the heels of Emilia's
Epic Women's Fashion in Film, we did a little thinking, a lot of YouTubing and w-hey too much swooning to bring you the most styling gentlemen from 1990s' cinema. Suave and dishevelled, gangsta and skate, sparkles and mission brown; it's all covered.
All the boys in
Clueless (1995). From Murray's expensive version of hood to Travis's slimy hair to Josh's Wayfarers and Christian's 1950s schtick, the boys from
Clueless were almost as styling as the ladies. There was enough slimy hair, low-slung baggy jeans, visible boxer-shorts, backwards caps, tye-dye and skateboards in this clip to make any 12-year-old girl fall down:
The boys from
Empire Records (1995). But especially AJ, Mark and Berko. AJ had the Kurt Cobain, grandpa cardigan, vintage shirt ensemble down. Then between the rest of them there was vintage tee-shirts, weird jewellery, black skinny jeans, uniform shirts and classic white suit shirts.
Troy Dyer in
Reality Bites (1994). The unkempt hair, the facial hair, the furrowed brow, the copius amounts of mission brown – Ethan Hawke, you peaked in '94.
Mr Blonde in
Reservoir Dogs (1992). Sure, they pretty much all wear the same skinny-tie, black suit, white shirt combo, but Michael Madson is super suave. And he did the dancing/torture thing.
Ted Logan (AKA Keanu Reeves) from
Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) and
Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey (1991). Roll-up denim shorts, high-tops, vest and a smiley face patch? Yes please. Poor Bill, if only his tee-shirt wasn't a midriff. At least in the sequel he scored an unbuttoned flannel and black Adidas high-tops. With red laces.
Brodie, TS, Silent Bob and Jay in
Mallrats (1995). Brodie in his sloppy jacket and Vans, TS had the flannel, Silent Bob wore the backwards cap and Chuck Taylors, and Jay looked fucking amazing in his double-shorts, combat boots and beanie.
Sebastian Valmont in
Cruel Intentions (1999). The end of the '90s wasn't throwing a lot of good fashion choices our way, but Sebastian Valmont's timeless version of preppy and suave was impeccable. The V-necked cable knits, spectacles, plain button-ups and slim-fit suits are classics.
Sam in
Benny and Joon (1993). Granted, Johnny Depp looks incredible in anything (Captain Jack Sparrow is one of the most stylish characters in film ever) but Sam and his semi-kooky fashion choices – his scarf-ties, top hats, waistcoats, braces, boater-stye hats, and polka dots – was a treat.
Cliff Poncier from
Singles (1992). Hairy, dishevelled, a little dirty, combat boots, leather, and questionable jewellery, who knew Matt Dillon could be such a dreamboat?
Doughboy in
Boyz n da Hood (1991). Douchboy (Ice Cube) had hood perfected – no need for bling or bandannas, just a simple crewneck sweater and a brand new flat-brimmed cap. Classic gangsta.
Tybalt Capulet, Prince of Cats in
Romeo and Juliet (1996). The Capulet Boys' Latino-influenced costumes were outrageous and still masculine. Tybalt was sublime in slim-line vests bedazzled with sparkly icons of the Virgin Mary, silver belt buckles, steel heeled cowboy boots, even a red sequinned waistcoat.
So, what did we miss?