The widely debated saying goes: "Does the suit make the man or does the man make the suit?" Regardless of where you land on this particular question, one thing's for sure-when it comes to onscreen leading men, the suit can make the movie. Here's our selection of popular films featuring characters that were brought to life with an iconic suit.
James Bond (Daniel Craig), Skyfall
James Bond is likely the first character that comes to mind when one thinks of a well-dressed man. While it was difficult to choose just one ensemble, we thought the bespoke two-button dinner suit worn by Daniel Craig in Skyfall was a modern, svelte twist on the classic grey staple.
Vincent Vega (John Travolta), Pulp Fiction
Quentin Tarantino is a director whose movies are immediately recognizable. His strong sense of style extends to every dimension of his films, from scriptwriting to costume design.
And, the man loves a good suit. Tarantino himself once said: "You can't put a guy in a black suit without making him look a little cooler than he already looks."
Think of the visual impact of the eight matching suits and skinny ties featured in Reservoir Dogs or the Crazy 88's black masks and suits in Kill Bill. While Vincent Vega's suit is made of casual linen, it made this list because it perfectly reflects the lifestyle this Pulp Fiction character-a reckless gangster navigating dramatic situations in the heat of Los Angeles.
Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale), The Dark Knight
It's easy to forget that Batman is actually the alter ego of Bruce Wayne. Wayne's quiet, private and luxurious life is quintessential to maintaining his secret identity. In The Dark Knight, he dons a striking, bespoke two-button suit. A pop of colour is added to the grey pinstripe ensemble with a pink tie and light pink shirt.
Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), Casablanca
Casablanca is widely regarded as one of the best films of all time. The protagonist, Rick Blaine, is an American expatriate who runs a nightclub in the city of Casablanca. Beaded lamps, arched doorways, long shadows, and wafts of cigarette smoke form an exotic noir backdrop to the unfolding drama between Blaine and his former lover, Ilsa Lund (played by Ingrid Bergman).
Blaine's boldness and class are reflected in his white ensemble: a dinner jacket paired with a tonal shirt and pocket square, and contrasting black bowtie. Also memorable is the character's appearance in a double-breasted check suit.
Francis Whitman (Owen Wilson), The Darjeeling Limited
Like Quentin Tarantino, director Wes Anderson has a penchant for dressing his characters in iconic clothing. However, he deviates far from Tarantino's signature black suits. Anderson himself frequently wears camel corduroy suits characteristic of the 1960's. Some of the most memorable suits in his films include: The Grand Budapest Hotel's purple suit jacket with keys on the lapels, Richie Tenenbaum's camel suit, and Henry Sherman's bowtie paired with a dark blue single breasted suit and white check shirt.
But it's the flannel suits, in various shades of grey, worn by the Whitman brothers in The Darjeeling Limited that have really caught our attention. Francis Whitman in particular makes a point to discuss his fashion choices throughout the film, gifting his expensive leather belt to his brother Peter at one point. Throughout the film, the three flannel suits are paired with unexpected accessories, like floral garlands, slippers and vintage sunglasses.
