Let 1960s film style inspire your tailored dressing
An iconic era for both men’s and women’s fashion, the 1960s brought with it not only the stylings of the mods and rockers, but impeccable tailoring as well. Whether a film has been made in the decade or is a modern adaption of the time, the leading gents tend to carry a level of suave that is worth channelling today. Cook up some popcorn, sink into the couch and get watching these films for wardrobe inspiration.
North by Northwest (1959)
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, with costume design by Harry Kress, North by Northwest is an unforgettable intersection of men’s style and film. Main character Roger Thornhill – played by the charismatic Cary Grant – wears a single silver-grey slim-cut Kilgour suit for the majority of the film. At one point the henchmen capturing Roger even make comment as to the sharpness of this iconic suit, declaring ‘He’s a well-tailored one, isn’t he?’.
Brighton Rock (2010)
Based on the classic novel by Graham Greene, the 2010 adaption of Brighton Rock saw the storyline move away from the setting of the 1930s (as in the book and original 1947 film) and enter the 1960s. Directed by Rowan Joffee, this crime thriller sees fedoras and overcoats as the mainstays of gents’ wardrobes – accessories to keep in mind for the impending winter.
A Single Man (2009)
Designer Tom Ford’s directorial debut was always going to be a beautifully captured piece, let alone one for absorbing a snapshot of 1960s American style. From an indulgent, lingering shot on a tie bar to a drawer full of crisp white button-up shirts, A Single Man is the 2009 film based on the Christopher Isherwood novel of the same name. In the film, the suits worn by leading gentleman George Falconer (played by Colin Firth) were produced by Tom Ford’s craftsmen in Italy.
Casino (1995)
While technically set from the 1970s onwards, Martin Scorsese’s Casino commences with a few residual 1960s fashion moments, particularly in the form of Sharon Stone’s character, Ginger. But it’s the elongated club collars and head-to-toe block-coloured suiting of Sam Rothstein – one of Robert De Niro’s shining moments – that make us realise the elaborate mirage of Las Vegas would be a great spot to practise a little statement dressing before bringing it back to Brisbane’s streets.