8 On-Screen Characters For You To Take Style Inspiration From

Some on-screen characters just get style!

They’re the human version of a classic tuxedo, displaying top-notch personal style that makes everyone take notes. And they sometimes go a step further and try to make others understand the importance of dressing well as well.

Like when Jacob Palmer (from Crazy, Stupid, Love) famously said “Be better than the Gap”, teaching everyone the value of a well tailored outfit. Or when Barney Stinson (From How I Met Your Mother), trying to persuade everyone to suit up, states that “suits are the sartorial equivalent of a baby’s smile”. On a random Tuesday, these men look like they stepped out of the cover of a magazine. Every guy low-key wants to look like them. They try to follow suit (pun intended) by copying their style, only to realise that they have never looked further put away from them—because sure, it’s what they’re wearing, but it’s also who they are.

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On-Screen Men Who Know A Thing Or Two About Style

Don Draper, Mad Men

Don Draper is a lot of things—a man of strong moral character is not one of them. He is a flawed character, which is ironic, given how flawless his outfits could be. The 60s ad man’s style is sleek, polished, and extremely masculine, with grey suits being his signature. He liked his belts slim, ties skinny, and lapels notched. Not only did he never wear wide ties (skinny ties are more elegant, IMHO), his ties were also the perfect length, always.

They would often be diagonally striped, adding a fun element to an otherwise classic suit. He would wear his pocket squares in the presidential fold—clean and simple. His collection of timepieces? Legendary. We’re talking 1960 Rolex Explorer 1, Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, and Omega Seamaster De Ville. As for shoes, he liked classic black dress shoes. His off-duty style was also quite cool as well, with cute knitwear, plaid blazers, polo T-shirts, V neck sweaters over shirts, and, not to forget, denim on denim—Canadian tuxedo is hard to pull off, he did so effortlessly.

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What you need to look like Don Draper: A collection of classic grey suits, striped ties, fedora hats, exquisite watches, a glass of whiskey (optional) and lack of empathy (not advised)

James Bond, No Time To Die

James Bond is synonymous with class, danger, and a hell lot of style. Sure, there’ve been a ton of Bonds over the years, but Daniel Craig’s 007 is the one where the fashion really shines.

Bond’s whole vibe is timeless—you’ll never see him following trends. He’s all about owning pieces that are built to last, the kind of stuff you wear forever. His suits? Impeccably tailored, always fitting him like they were made just for him (because, well, they were, by Tom Ford). Whether he’s dodging bullets or sipping a martini (shaken, not stirred), he always manages to look effortlessly sharp.

Apart from being timeless, his style is extremely functional. For example, the literary Bond only wore slip-on shoes—because, let's face it, Bond can’t be bothered with shoelaces while chasing down the bad guys. While he’s got refined taste, he’s not one to follow fashion rules. Whether it's wearing short-sleeved shirts with suits or wearing black suits with brown shoes, he breaks the rules—and looks great while doing it. His tuxedos, of course, are iconic. They’re sleek, understated, and perfectly tailored to compliment Daniel Craig’s amazing physique. And then there’s his Omega watches—he’s rarely seen without one.

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What you need to look like Bond, James Bond: Well-fitted suits in neutral colours, a perfectly tailored tuxedo, dress shoes both black and brown, a timeless watch (preferably Omega), a martini shaker (strongly recommended) and a license to kill (we don't make the rules!)

Jay Gatsby, The Great Gatsby

Jay Gatsby, the charming self-made billionaire from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book The Great Gatsby and its multiple movie adaptations, has impeccable personal style, particularly in the 2013 adaptation, starring Leonardo Di Caprio. One thing about Jay Gatsby? He has new money. So he’s trying to fit in with the upper class. But he dresses impeccably, nonetheless.

His suits are designed to impress, without making it look like he’s trying too hard. He wears the most beautiful suits in colours like light pink, peach, light grey, and cream. And of course, white. You can’t talk about Jay Gatsby’s suits and not talk about his white suit, one of the most iconic costumes in the history of cinema. Gatsby’s vibe is elegant, sophisticated and opulent. He dresses for the part—you know, the part of the guy throwing the most fancy parties to win back his one true love.

What you need to look like Jay Gatsby: Sharp suits in a muted colour palette, accessories that scream 'filthy rich' (no logos though), lots of hair gel and a huge mansion (optional but recommended)

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Harvey Specter, Suits

This Harvard grad isn’t one to follow trends or experiment. He knows what he likes, and he wears it like second skin. He wears suits in colours like black, navy, and grey. All his suits are very conservative—a pinstripe suit being about as wild as it’ll get. His wardrobe is all about minimalism and attention to detail. The show is called Suits, and he has damn well made sure it’s about suits.

He isn’t too big on accessories either, he keeps it simple with cufflinks, tie bars, classic watches and pocket squares (in the classic presidential fold, obviously). Everything about his style is classic and polished.

What you need to look like Harvey Specter: Classic suits, crisp white shirts, flawless hair game, a 'do I look like I care?' attitude and unfathomable charm (which can't be helped, we're afraid)

Tyler Durden, Fight Club

First rule of Fight Club? You do not talk about the Fight Club. But, hey, we can talk about Tyler’s style game from Fight Club. Tyler has the most outrageous and flamboyant style ever. Tyler is quite a rebel, he doesn’t care about the norms; and that extends to his sartorial choices as well. He doesn’t care about what’s considered acceptable or appropriate by society. He plays by his own rules. His style is raw, rugged, earthy, and over the top, his hair scruffy and unkempt.

His style might have been unpolished, but let's be real—he looked too cool for his own good. He wore loud prints, form fitting T-shirts, tank tops, leather jackets, fur coats, even slightly cropped T-shirts (Brad was in great shape at the time). And let’s not forget all the red! Red Oliver Peoples 523 Sunglasses, red pants, and of course, the red leather jacket that’s a legend in its own right. Durden’s meticulousness when it came to style—or the lack thereof—is what makes him so cool.

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What you need to look like Tyler Durden: 70s-inspired clothes, printed shirts, a red leather jacket, red aviators, a complete disregard for norms and a body that won't quit (head to the gym, pronto)

Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock

While we have seen quite a few adaptations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s legendary character Sherlock Holmes over the years, our forever favourite is Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock, even in terms of style.

The eccentric detective from Baker Street is savage, brutally honest, and an unparalleled observer. And though he doesn’t seem to care much about style, he always looks impeccable—a lot of it has to do with the fact that he’s played by Benedict Cumberbatch, but he also dresses exceptionally. There’s nothing ground-breaking about Sherlock’s style. But when he enters the room, everybody takes notice. The high functioning sociopath—as he likes to call himself—has a style that is truly classic. He wears neutral colours, tailored suits, minimalistic accessories, making him look effortlessly sharp. Not to forget, the famous Sherlock accessories: a dark scarf, a deerstalker hat, and a long overcoat (which, by the way, looks amazing on his tall lean frame). His clothes are somehow both era specific, and timeless. Sherlock’s style is more low-key, especially compared to the others on the list, but it perfectly compliments his enigmatic nature.

What you need to look like Sherlock: Long overcoats, scarves, attention to detail, a loyal best friend (who doesn't?), a cigarette (health warning included) and a vehement intolerance for small talk (can't be emphasised enough)

Patrick Bateman, American Psycho

While we may not be on board with the twisted life choices of Patrick Bateman, the psychopath from American Psycho, the man certainly knew how to dress. The investment banker-cum-serial killer takes great care of his clothes and grooming, works out, has a skincare routine, and has a style that is very clean and polished—all of which is in sharp contrast to the mess of a person he actually is.

He is misogynistic, sadistic, and incredibly insecure. It’s important to him that what he wears is an extension of his wealth. Naturally, his style is very ostentatious. He has a penchant for brands like Armani, Valentino and Ralph Lauren, and is seen wearing highly coveted timepieces like the Rolex Datejust 16013. It’s not just all brands though—he genuinely has an eye for style. His style is very interesting; he is seen mixing prints—pinstripe suit, pinstripe shirt with a tie in another print, similar to the honeycomb print. He also pairs contrasting colours, like a navy suit with a yellow tie, a blue shirt with red suspenders. Everything in his outfits is well thought out, meticulously crafted and designed to convey power. Not that great style can be a redeeming quality after you’ve committed several cold-blooded murders, but, well, it certainly makes him memorable.

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What you need to look like Patrick Bateman: Ties in fun prints and colours, suspenders, a pair of round frame eyeglasses, black oxford shoes or loafers, a home gym, a chainsaw (questionable, yes) and an axe (again, highly questionable)

Chuck Bass, Gossip Girl

Chuck Bass may not know how to handle relationships, but fashion? Fashion he knew. Chuck’s style may not be as classic or timeless as the other characters on the list—granted, some of it might look dated already. But that does not discredit the fact that Chuck’s sartorial choices are the epitome of elegance, sophistication and romanticism. It’s fun, beautiful, with a lot of preppy thrown in.

You may not agree with the glorification of Chuck (well, he did trade his girlfriend for a hotel), it’s hard to deny that his style is top notch. Yes, it can get a little too flashy sometimes, but never not tasteful. The arrogant millionaire womaniser always got his suits right. Rich fabrics, fine craftsmanship and a varied color palette. He wore suits in colors like ice blue, lilac, ivory, pink along with more safer colors like navy and grey. His accessories would make it more fun—ties, bowties, scarves, and pocket squares in the most fun colors and prints, suspenders, hats, you name it. His shoe collection was impeccable, too. He wore a beautiful ice blue suit for his wedding to Blair, and paired it with the most exquisite looking pair of pastel pink dress shoes. Sigh. I think about that look at least twice a day.

What you need to look like Chuck Bass: Printed V neck sweaters and vests, a huge collection of bows, ties, pocket squares and great shoes, old money (sorry, we can't help), daddy issues (our condolences), a penchant for self destruction and emotional unavailability (umm... you gotta do what you gotta do!)