Who: Idris Elba
Where: 68th International Berlin Film Festival
On the campaign trail for his directorial debut, Jamaican crime story Yardie, Idris Elba swerved the green, black and yellow for a series of neutral staples, with skin-skimming fits flattering his boxier frame. Factor in the simple yet foolproof palette, and here’s a gang every man can join.
Who: Chris Pine
Where: A Wrinkle In Time Premiere, LA
There may be a A Wrinkle In Time, but there isn’t one on the suit – an impressive feat considering Chris Pine opted for a tricky, moleskin fabric. By matching his two-piece with a sky blue shirt, the 37-year-old not only scored tonal trend points, but showed that texture can make a statement on its own.
Who: Joel Edgerton
Where: Red Sparrow Premiere, NYC
Let’s face it: 007 is supremely cooler than the CIA. Still, that didn’t stop Red Sparrow’s Joel Edgerton channelling a seventies James Bond, switching a shirt for a roll neck to safely pivot from the norm. Add to that fifty tonal shades of Soviet grey, and Edgerton earns our highest medal of honour.
Who: Donald Glover
Where: Atlanta Robbin’ Season Screening, Atlanta
Trump isn’t the only Donald gunning for re-election. Our best-dressed man of 2017 also made early moves for a second term, anchoring a colourful Band Of Outsiders silk shirt with browns below to ground the volume. We’re with him.
Who: Tom Ford
Where: The Women’s Cancer Research Fund Event, LA
Tom Ford didn’t just reinterpret the black suit. He immortalised it. So, expect nothing short of fireworks when he enlists his own, using the tailoring move du jour – peak lapels – to create the illusion of wider shoulders with a razor-sharp fit. He even gets a free pass for shades indoors (this is Tom Ford, after all).
Who: Bow Wow
Where: Bridezillas Premiere, NYC
The shame of lying about your ‘private jet’ on Instagram is something few could overcome. Yet Bow Wow made us forget – momentarily, albeit – thanks to this masterclass in sportswear. An all-black palette helps shed the pounds your workouts haven’t, while the slimline joggers ensure a tailored silhouette without settling for typical smart-casual fare. We forgive you, Bow Wow. Almost.
Who: Johannes Huebl
Where: Christian Dior, Paris
Johannes Huebl: king of the fine – fine wife, fine life, and as evidenced here, some fine lines too. By opting for a pinstripe, the male model and Instagram influencer elongates an already-tall build to counteract the added bulk of a double-breasted suit. All hail.
Who: John Legend
Where: Jesus Christ Superstar Press Junket, NYC
From one saviour to another, our father John Legend embraced the holy trinity of a roll neck, a two-piece and studded brogues at Jesus Christ Superstar. Sure, the latter may seem sacrilegious to the traditional smart shoe, but simplicity en masse grants wiggle room to experiment down south. Amen to that.
Who: Eric Rutherford
Where: Zoe Buckman’s ‘CHAMP’ Opening, LA
There’s more to life than being really, really, really ridiculously good looking. You can be ridiculously well-dressed too. Eric Rutherford – the bastard who does both – rejigged classic monochrome leathers by switching black for petrol blue with a Breton stripe to match. Turns out you can be ridiculously jealous, too.
Who: Patrick Schwarzenegger
Where: Midnight Sun Photocall, Vienna
The sub-zero cold snap shouldn’t freeze your style. Like Patrick Schwarzenegger in Vienna, use texture and layers to make a plus of minus-five climes. Then, tie the look together with a symphony of on-trend earth tones. There’s no wonder he’s smiling through the hypothermia.