Tagged: Directed by Martin Scorsese
Casino – De Niro’s Cream Fleck Jacket
Robert De Niro as Sam “Ace” Rothstein in Casino (1995).
Vitals
Robert De Niro as Sam “Ace” Rothstein, Vegas casino executive and mob associate
Las Vegas, Summer 1980
Film: Casino
Release Date: November 22, 1995
Director: Martin Scorsese
Costume Design: Rita Ryack & John A. Dunn
Background
Last week’s Mafia Monday post examined a moody but visionary Jewish mobster in the middle of the desert outside Las Vegas, and you’ll be surprised to see that I’m doing the exact same thing today.
That scene from Bugsy showed the trailblazer Benny Siegel making his mark in the so far undeveloped Las Vegas. In Casino, more than three decades later, Vegas is now a hopping nightspot whose best years are already slipping behind it. Many guys who tried to follow Bugsy’s example are now buried out in the desert where Sam Rothstein has been summoned to meet his old friend, the volatile Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci).
Normally, my prospects of coming back alive from a meeting with Nicky were 99 out of 100. But this time, when I heard him say “a couple of hundred yards down the road”, I gave myself 50-50.
Things haven’t been so great for Sam and Nicky. They were best buds coming up together “back home” but Sam embraced the analytical aspects of their criminal ventures while Nicky was all about the violence. Having heard that Sam was potentially plotting behind his back, Nicky has now called him to meet out where the heads of their predecessors are buried. Continue reading
Henry’s Copa Date Suit in Goodfellas
Ray Liotta as Henry Hill in Goodfellas (1990).
Vitals
Ray Liotta as Henry Hill, ambitious New York mob associate
New York, Spring 1964
Film: Goodfellas
Release Date: September 19, 1990
Director: Martin Scorsese
Costume Designer: Richard Bruno
Background
Yesterday was Valentine’s Day, so BAMF Style is appropriating Mafia Monday for one of the most memorable scenes from Goodfellas, the impressive Steadicam shot that follows Henry and Karen’s date at their Copacabana. After leaving his Chrysler Newport with a doorman across the street (“It’s easier than leaving it at a garage”), the camera follows Henry as he spirits Karen through the labyrinth of hallways and kitchens into the famous nightclub, peeling off twenties for every hand that helps along the way. Continue reading
Henry’s Ivory Silk Jacket in Goodfellas
Ray Liotta as Henry Hill in Goodfellas (1990).
Vitals
Ray Liotta as Henry Hill, ambitious New York mob associate
Brooklyn, New York, Summer 1963
Film: Goodfellas
Release Date: September 19, 1990
Director: Martin Scorsese
Costume Designer: Richard Bruno
Background
For Mafia Monday, I’m taking a look at what was always one of the more memorable movie outfits for me growing up.
Goodfellas introduces us to the adult Henry Hill, aged 20, while casually taking part in a heist at Idlewild Airport. Presumably that evening, he and his mobbed-up cronies take their beehive-haired comares to The Bamboo Lounge, a tiki-themed actual former hangout for the gang located in Canarsie. (The location used in the film was actually the Polynesian bar Hawaii Kai, previously located at 1638 Broadway in Manhattan before it was closed the year before Goodfellas was released.)
The scene shows us the potential glamour of mob life, with silk-suited mobsters with names like “Fat Andy” and “Jimmy Two Times” sipping on anisette while seated next to women who are far out of their league. The hardworking Henry is able to enjoy these aspects of the night while also working, shuffling in racks of stolen mink coats and planning his next heist at the Air France terminal. Continue reading
Casino – De Niro’s Burnt Orange Jacket
Robert De Niro as Sam “Ace” Rothstein in Casino (1995).
Vitals
Robert De Niro as Sam “Ace” Rothstein, Vegas casino executive and mob associate
Las Vegas, Fall 1980
Film: Casino
Release Date: November 22, 1995
Director: Martin Scorsese
Costume Design: Rita Ryack & John A. Dunn
Background
I could probably dedicate an entire blog to the stellar wardrobe of Sam “Ace” Rothstein. It’s no coincidence either; clothes were very important to the real life Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal, and Martin Scorsese invested at least $1 million of the film’s budget into costuming alone. Robert De Niro wore a staggering 70 different costumes over the course of the nearly three hour movie, and Casino fans know that very little of Ace’s attire can be easily found out in the real world. Continue reading
Casino – Ace’s Ivory Western Suit with Red-on-Red Silk
Robert De Niro as Sam “Ace” Rothstein in Casino (1995).
Vitals
Robert De Niro as Sam “Ace” Rothstein, Vegas casino executive and mob associate
Las Vegas, Summer 1977
Film: Casino
Release Date: November 22, 1995
Director: Martin Scorsese
Costume Design: Rita Ryack & John A. Dunn
Background
By the mid-1970s, Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal appeared to have it all. Having tried his hardest to leave his mob affiliations behind him back east, he was now running the Stardust Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas with a beautiful ex-showgirl wife and a massive wardrobe pull of bespoke suits and sport coats.
Unfortunately, his mob affiliations were chasing him to Vegas in the form of vicious Chicago enforcer Tony “the Ant” Spilotro; he still didn’t have a license to legally be managing his casino; and his troubled wife Geri was still in contact with her shitty ex, Lenny Marmor. 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
Goodfellas – Henry’s Herringbone Fleck Sportcoat
Ray Liotta as Henry Hill in Goodfellas (1990)
Vitals
Ray Liotta as Henry Hill, New York mob associate and club owner
New York City, Spring 1964
Film: Goodfellas
Release Date: September 19, 1990
Director: Martin Scorsese
Costume Designer: Richard Bruno
Background
It’s gonna be a good summer!
…as Jimmy Conway tells Henry Hill after watching him split up the take from a recent robbery at the JFK’s Air France terminal. Cargo thefts had always been a mob tradition, but the April 1967 heist of $420,000 in cash set a new high mark for the mob as the proceeds were all in “totally, totally untraceable”. No need for shady fences or risky transactions of stolen goods.
Henry dresses fashionably for the robbery, wearing a herringbone sports coat that shows up a few times over the course of Goodfellas. It’s a fine primer on how one can dress for a date, a heist, or even burying a mob murder victim. (Not that BAMF Style condones that sort of thing…) Continue reading
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
Goodfellas – Henry’s “Half Mick, Half Guinea” Green Suit
Ray Liotta as Henry Hill in Goodfellas (1990).
Vitals
Ray Liotta as Henry Hill, New York mob associate and club owner
Queens, NY, June 11, 1970
Film: Goodfellas
Release Date: September 19, 1990
Director: Martin Scorsese
Costume Designer: Richard Bruno
Background
As Morrie Kessler’s favorite “half mick, half guinea”, it’s nice to see Henry Hill channeling his Irish side with a green suit while out at a bar. In particular, his bar – The Suite Lounge in Queens. (In reality, the scene was filmed at the Lido Cabaret at 7320 Grand Avenue in Maspeth.) Unfortunately for us, it wasn’t St. Patrick’s Day, and unfortunately for Billy Batts, an angry Joe Pesci was around. 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
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