Introduction
When we think of style icons, the usual faces always crop up: Ryan Gosling, David Gandy, Justin Doss and all the other predictable entries in a ‘best dressed list’ – and rightly so. These fellows have earned their place amongst the sartorial elite and deserve our applause, but what of style’s unsung heroes? What of the unlikely, unpredictable icons, swallowed up by their more esteemed fashion colleagues?
After watching incredible (in my humble opinion) 1990s films and even scouring old A-Level textbooks, we’ve compiled a list of five very unlikely figures in fashion – and it just goes to show that inspiration and style can be found anywhere.
1. Ted Logan From Bill And Ted’s Bogus Journey
Ah, the golden days before Keanu Reeves took himself far too seriously with ankle length leathers and thin reflective sunglasses (no, Neo from The Matrix will most certainly not be making an appearance).
Ted Logan is the very essence of 1990s candy grunge with oversized bright checks, torn-up vintage hi-tops and straight leg denims – think Kurt Cobain drinking Jägermeister with Katy Perry.
Sporting the iconic red cut-off jacket complete with huge smiley face on the back (it seems I overlooked this glaringly obvious drug reference in my innocent youth), Ted Logan really is spot-on for current trends and pieces. Minus the scarecrow hairstyle, he’s simple evidence that under thinking and oversizing an outfit can work wonders – the air guitar, however, is optional.
2. Prince Charles
Although some view the royal family as a bumbly, comical collection of people, what lies beneath is an extensive style history that spans decades. And the unlikely future king of style? None other than Prince Charles.
Believe it or not, there’s more to the man than a stiff upper lip: being clad in the best of British heritage wear has made him a firm favourite with everyone from Andre 3000 to Christopher Bailey. We can all learn from his penchant for impeccable tailoring, whether we’re going for that rural Barbour-coated look or something more formal.
You don’t need a royal title these days to look princely – just invest in some tweed.
3. Bane From The Dark Knight Rises
Take away the bizarre gimp/gas mask, the weird voice and the penchant for terrorism and you’re left with the fundamentals of a style icon.
Tom Hardy’s depiction of Bane was forever immortalised by that shearling coat, a cross between American workwear and European revolutionary. Team with a pair of Dr. Martens and slim-fit jeans for an ultra-masculine look that evokes the hunter-gatherer ethos; the bulkier of our kind will undoubtedly benefit the most from the workwear trend.
4. André Villas-Boas
In a sport known as the last prevailing bastion of wet look gel (I’m looking at you, Ronaldo), it’s not often we find our style icons. Before I even hear anybody utter Beckham’s name, just look at a few of his outfits pre-2006: consistency has never been a friend of David and Victoria.
Instead, we direct our attention towards the Portuguese manager of Tottenham Hotspurs, Mr André Villas-Boas. In short, the man dresses immaculately. Undoubtedly championing the strengths of good, classic tailoring, every suit is beyond flattering without ever looking too try-hard.
Some men are more at ease in a suit than anything remotely casual, and AVB’s knowledge of suit tailoring looks second nature.
5. Steve Urkel from Family Matters
The quintessential nerd from late 1990s Family Matters is every inch the unlikely style icon and spot on when considering recent trends.
With a pair of jam jar glasses that are now the standard hipster essential and the right level of American prep, Steve Urkel is like an early Will.i.am before he started creating soul-destroying music with Britney Spears.
Combine classic checks with braces and vintage-inspired acid wash denims, that are more Saved By The Bell than This Is England, and you can channel your very own Chicago goon-chic.
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