The Best Dressed Male Film Stars of All Time

James Connolly - July 14, 2019

Celebrities are often considered to be the most beautiful people on earth. Whilst this is no doubt true for many famous actors, musicians, and other A-listers, there are some for whom a sense of style is more important than naturally endowed good looks. And many people take them as style icons and trendsetters. 

Over the years, our screens have been graced by some exceptionally well-dressed men. From James Dean to Paul Newman to Will Smith, male film stars have long been the gold standard for masculine style.

Then there are those who transcend style, who redefine the very idea of cool forever. They are the individuals we are interested in, and they are those who will feature in the following list of the best dressed male film stars of all time.

Steve McQueen

When you’re known as The King of Cool, you know you must have been doing something right. Yes, the late Steve McQueen might just go down as the single most stylish male film star of all time, hence his inclusion first in our list. 

After a tough start to life, McQueen made it to Hollywood where his bad-boy charm and good looks made him a huge hit. He soon became known for his impeccable style which blended classic elegance with a new, hitherto unseen ability to make the casual chic.

The actor’s signature look included slim khaki chinos, white tennis sneakers, and simple, pastel-hued polos and t-shirts. He is the man who made Persol sunglasses famous whilst the now iconic Tag Heuer Monaco watch is pure McQueen. A true titan of masculine style, the man was a true original who wore everything with confidence and panache.

Ryan Gosling

A student of McQueen, the modern-day heartthrob is just as well known for his excellent sense of style as he is stellar acting chops. With an uncanny ability to rock the designer stubble look and effortlessly styled hair, Gosling is a sex symbol for a reason. 

Just as comfortable in a suit as in a $5 tee, the Canadian stays trim to make sure everything he wears is as flattering as can be. Long an enthusiast of the denim shirt, Gosling’s style is pure Americana, with flamboyant knits and tops par for the course when it comes to the actor’s wardrobe staples. Ryan Gosling’s style can best be described as classic American with a dash of individual flair.

Cary Grant

A true Hollywood style icon in every sense of the term, Cary Grant will be remembered as one of the film industry’s definitive leading men. Perhaps just as striking as his good looks and acting skills was the man’s immaculate sense of style. Grant made formal seem effortless, wearing a suit like no man before or since has managed to.

Interestingly, the British-born Grant managed to maintain a distinctly English sense of style throughout his career regardless of the fact that he was based in Hollywood. This helped Grant to cultivate a uniquely dapper look that separated him from the crowd in Tinseltown.