Tagged: Costume design by Sandy Powell
Dennis Haysbert’s Yellow Plaid Coat in Far From Heaven
Dennis Haysbert as Raymond Deagan in Far From Heaven (2002)
Vitals
Dennis Haysbert as Raymond Deagan, affable gardener and widowed father
Suburban Connecticut, Fall 1957
Film: Far From Heaven
Release Date: November 8, 2002
Director: Todd Haynes
Costume Designer: Sandy Powell
Background
A recent Instagram post from my friend @chimesatmidnight reminded me of the fantastic fall style and autumnal aesthetic in Far From Heaven, Todd Haynes’ tribute to the incandescent melodramas directed by Douglas Sirk in the 1950s. Influenced by movies like All that Heaven Allows, Imitation of Life, and Written on the Wind, Haynes employed techniques from the era to provide the same idyllic mid-century look, feel, and sound, with the help of Elmer Bernstein’s original score, Kelley Baker’s sound, the richly detailed world created by production designer Mark Friedberg, and Edward Lachman’s thoughtful cinematography.
The Aviator: Leo’s Fair Isle Vest for Golf
Leonardo DiCaprio and Cate Blanchett in The Aviator (2004)
Vitals
Leonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes, eccentric and ambitious aviation and movie mogul
Los Angeles, Summer 1935
Film: The Aviator
Release Date: December 25, 2004
Director: Martin Scorsese
Costume Designer: Sandy Powell
Background
Tomorrow is the final day of the TOUR Championship, the final event of the 2019 PGA Tour season with a purse of $9,250,000 awarded to the first place golfer. Golf and wealth culminated for a brief but stylish scene in The Aviator (2004), Martin Scorsese’s biopic of twenty momentous years in the life of aviation and movie mogul Howard Hughes.
The Aviator: Leo’s Belstaff Flying Jacket
Leonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes in The Aviator (2004)
Vitals
Leonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes, eccentric and ambitious aviation and movie mogul
Hollywood, Fall 1927 through Summer 1928
Film: The Aviator
Release Date: December 25, 2004
Director: Martin Scorsese
Costume Designer: Sandy Powell
Background
The Aviator wastes no time in establishing why the film is titled as such, providing the first look at the adult Howard Hughes as he’s beginning production on his World War I epic Hell’s Angels (1930). Hughes hires Noah Dietrich (John C. Reilly) to run his business enterprises—”and do a damn good job,” he adds—so he can focus his obsessive Capricorn energy on Hell’s Angels, a production combining the ambitious young mogul’s passions for aviation and movie-making. After beginning production on October 31, 1927, the film would take nearly three years to complete, during which time Hughes would also earn his own pilot’s license.
Jack Nicholson’s Lavender Sportcoat in The Departed
Jack Nicholson as Francis “Frank” Costello in The Departed (2006)
Vitals
Jack Nicholson as Francis “Frank” Costello, sadistic Irish-American mob boss
Boston, Summer 2006
Film: The Departed
Release Date: October 6, 2006
Director: Martin Scorsese
Costume Designer: Sandy Powell
Background
To celebrate Jack Nicholson’s 80th birthday today, April 22, BAMF Style is looking at an iconic role from his latter career as crime boss Francis “Frank” Costello in The Departed. Nicholson reportedly wanted “a little something more” for his character*, and elements of real-life Boston mobster Whitey Bulger were incorporated into Jack’s eccentric and erratic character.
This brief but memorable scene, featuring Nicholson in some timely springtime pastels, was filmed June 28, 2005 at the Long Wharf in Boston. Two of Massachusetts’ finest, Captain Queenan (Martin Sheen) and Sergeant Dignam (Mark Wahlberg), are monitoring Costello’s movements and decide to show their face. Continue reading
The Wolf of Wall Street: Leo’s Floral Swimwear
I’m off to the beach for my annual vacation! I’ll have my phone, but I eschew technology when surrounded by sun, sand, water, and books, so I’ll be less responsive to comments and e-mails than usual (and I know I already need some improvement in that area!)
There’ll be a few posts planned for the course of this week, but here’s a quick snippet of a BAMF in relaxation mode that we should all try and emulate.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie as Jordan and Naomi Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street (2013).
Vitals
Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort, swaggering stockbroker
New York City, Summer 1993
Film: The Wolf of Wall Street
Release Date: December 25, 2013
Director: Martin Scorsese
Costume Designer: Sandy Powell
How to Get the Look
The Wolf of Wall Street gives us a quick look at Jordan and Naomi relaxing on his yacht. He doesn’t have a care in the world as he lays next to his beautiful wife and wears:
- Navy blue short-sleeve linen shirt with six white buttons down plain front and straight-hemmed bottom
- Light blue “Hawaiian printed” polyester swimming trunks with a palm tree and orange floral print
The on-screen shorts have been positively identified as a pair of Breakwater polyester board shorts in the “Hawaiian Vibe” tropical pattern with a white drawstring waist. You can still find the same pair on eBay. (Thanks to reader Thawm for the ID!)
Belfort himself mentions a pair of “blue nylon” swimming trunks in his follow-up book, Catching the Wolf of Wall Street.
His Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses with black acetate frames, a fine choice for a successful young fella on holiday, sit on the back on his head against the pillow.
If you’ve got a special lady friend with you who also would like some shades, Margot Robbie is wearing a pair of brown plastic-framed Versace 477/B 915 sunglasses with gold Greek key temple logos.
Do Yourself a Favor and…
Buy the movie
The Wolf of Wall Street: Glen Plaid Suit in London
Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street (2013).
Vitals
Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort, swaggering stockbroker
London, Summer 1995*
* In reality, this was August 1993. All you really need to know is that it’s the summer.
Film: The Wolf of Wall Street
Release Date: December 25, 2013
Director: Martin Scorsese
Costume Designer: Sandy Powell
Tailor: Leonard Logsdail
Background
You all heard (or read) me bitching about how poorly pink was incorporated into Sean Connery’s cream linen suit in Diamonds are Forever, so now let’s see a more subtle way that a gent can wear that most tender of colors.
After illegally making $22 million in three hours thanks to the Steve Madden IPO, boastful stock magnate Jordan Belfort heads for Europe to hide his ill-gotten gains in a Swiss bank account. An unexpected hiccup pops up when Jordy needs a European citizen’s name for the account. Luckily for our protagonist, his wife has a classy English aunt (played by the super awesome Joanna Lumley) that’s willing to help out. Continue reading
The Wolf of Wall Street: White Polo for Yachting
Vitals
Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street (2013). DiCaprio himself even used this image for his Twitter avatar.
Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort, swaggering stockbroker
New York City, Summer 1994
Film: The Wolf of Wall Street
Release Date: December 25, 2013
Director: Martin Scorsese
Costume Designer: Sandy Powell
Background
With winter upon us, avoid the winter blues by thinking ahead to summer. Picture yourself on a millionaire’s yacht, drinking wine and eating caviar with millions to spend and not a care in the world.
Of course, that’s hardly a reality for even the top 1% of us, but it doesn’t hurt to dress the part. Even Jordan Belfort recognizes this in The Wolf of Wall Street when he tells visiting FBI agent Patrick Denham that:
When you’re sailing a boat built for a Bond villain you’ve got to play the part.
Belfort wisely chose to forego the traditional Mao jacket sported by many of the most popular (and megalomaniac) Bond villains, however. Continue reading
The Wolf of Wall Street: Dark Blue Chalkstripe Flannel on IPO Day
Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street (2013).
Vitals
Leonardo DiCaprio as Jordan Belfort, shrewd Wall Street stockbroker
Long Island, Fall 1993
Film: The Wolf of Wall Street
Release Date: December 25, 2013
Director: Martin Scorsese
Costume Designer: Sandy Powell
Tailor: Leonard Logsdail
Background
It’s Labor Day, so sartorial traditionalists should start packing up their cream linen suits and pull their sharp chalkstripe flannels up to the front. Ideally, you have today off of work and one extra day before you need a snazzy suit to make an impression when strutting back into the office tomorrow.
Though avoiding excess isn’t exactly Jordan Belfort’s thing (i.e., drugs, women) in The Wolf of Wall Street, he did manage to avoid some of the sartorial excesses of the late ’80s and early ’90s that continue to plague thrift shops and convenience stores to this day. For the most part, he avoids baggy double-breasted suits with low button stances and excessive shoulder padding. Continue reading