Men's Hollywood Fashion

September 14, 2008 10:05 AM

Name some iconic men's outfits from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

I'm speaking of outfits from movies made in and set in the 40s, 50s, and early 60s. (Contemporary films set in that era are also allowable, to a lesser extent.) I'm looking for clothes that are instantly identifiable with the role and the male actor, such as Bogie's white evening coat from Casabanca, Brando's biker uniform from The Wild One, and James Dean's red windbreaker from Rebel Without a Cause. It can be from a supporting character in a film, if the outfit is distinctive and recognizable enough. Focus on, but not limited to, dress clothes. Television shows from the era are also acceptable.

posted by Astro Zombie to clothing, beauty, & fashion (16 comments total)

Cary Grant's grey suit from North By Northwest. (Or any of his films, really).

A good write up of the details, here

http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/2006/08/cary-grant-north-by-northwest.html
posted by The Whelk at 10:23 AM on September 14, 2008

and now that I think of it, Gomez Addams' pin-stripped zoot suit. Thick pinstripes, high contrast, and wide lapels.
posted by The Whelk at 10:29 AM on September 14, 2008

Fred Astaire's tie-as-belt look? Of course now I can't find any pictures, but he would use a striped tie as a belt, and leave the ends jauntily hanging down.
posted by exceptinsects at 10:45 AM on September 14, 2008

Peter O'Toole in Lawrence of Arabia, Peter Sellers as Dr. Strangelove...
posted by starman at 10:55 AM on September 14, 2008

Cary Grant's ruffly bathrobe in Bringing Up Baby.
posted by pxe2000 at 11:26 AM on September 14, 2008

Peter Sellers as Jacques Clouseau in the Pink Panther movies?
posted by softsantear at 11:59 AM on September 14, 2008

Charleton Heston as Moses
posted by mkultra at 12:13 PM on September 14, 2008

Fred Astaire's top hat, white tie, and tails.

Gene Kelly's rain-soaked suit and hat in Singin' in the Rain.

Gene Kelly's baseball cap, open-necked shirt, and twill pants in An American in Paris.

Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Jules Munshin's Navy dress whites in On the Town (and yes, I had to look up Jules Munshin's name.)

George Raft's gangster pinstripes.

Tony Curtis's faux-yachtsman ensemble in Some Like it Hot.
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:14 PM on September 14, 2008

Errol Flynn as Robin Hood.
posted by nikitabot at 12:17 PM on September 14, 2008

Arrgghhh. Robin Hood is here.
posted by nikitabot at 12:18 PM on September 14, 2008

Does Austin Powers count?
posted by mkultra at 12:19 PM on September 14, 2008

More distinctive Bogart, and of course, denim, white T-shirt, and red jacket.
posted by TedW at 12:40 PM on September 14, 2008

Well, this is more of a "lack of outfit", and Snopes says it's undetermined, but Clark Gable minus undershirt in It Happened One Night.
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 1:31 PM on September 14, 2008

ooops! that movie was made in 1934 -- disregard!
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 1:32 PM on September 14, 2008

Dear lord brando's outfit in Streetcar named desire.

tight t-shirt, jeans, & belt. ICONIC.


posted by allthewhile at 4:36 PM on September 14, 2008

Ralph Kramden (bus driver uniform) and Ed Norton (what is with that hat, anyway?) from The Honeymooners.
posted by SPrintF at 7:17 PM on September 14, 2008