Style Icon: Michael Caine
The first time I saw the film GET CARTER was on a rainy afternoon sometime in early 2000. During this time, I fancied myself a bit of a mod and loved to soak up anything and everything British and/or Swinging London.
Enter Sir Michael Caine as the hard boiled Jack Carter who is out for revenge and drenched in style.
It was because of this movie that I started to look up to young Michael Caine as a non stop shop of style inspiration.It’s not so much what he wears but how he has it tailored. Everything always fit him incredibly well. Take, for instance, this screen shot from GET CARTER. His navy 3 piece suit is just impeccably fitted with just the right amount of cuff peaking out from the sleeves. Throughout the film he wears it just like Cary Grant wears his sartorial masterpiece in North By Northwest:
Maybe it is the inherent sense of English tailoring that seeps into the sartorial mind of most British men or maybe it’s just the simple fact that Michael Caine knew how to dress, but one thing is for sure:
Young Micahel Caine is a sartorial force to be reckoned with.
Over the next few days I will put together some options so that you too raise a little bit of Caine where ever you may go.
Fantastic post and pics, Michael Caine is an original.
Thanks!!! Glad you enjoyed it.
I saw Roger Moore in ‘For our eyes only’ last week and his style is impeccable. It’s incredible how they make a 3 piece look so good, so fitted.
Great piece by the way.
M.,
You are so right. I may have to do a Roger Moore piece soon!!
Thanks for the that,
D.
GQ had Michael Caine as one of the 50 most stylish men of the past 50 years. I need to see GET CARTER and I agree with you that he is a sartorial force to be reckoned with. His clothes fit perfect every time. Great post.
Hey Rufino,
You HAVE to see get Carter. It’s such a gritty movie. His style is impeccable throughout.
Take care,
Dennis
Dennis,
I may just have to stop by BestBuy and pick it up on BlueRay tonight. Lol. I would always pass it up and say “I gotta see this movie one day.” Also, just want to say thanks for sparking my change in style. You and Paul have been very inspirational.
–
Rufino
That’s great to hear, Rufino. I’m so happy to be an inspiration in your sartorial evolution. I never thought when I started this blog that it would strike a chord in so many. It humbles me greatly and makes me want to keep going.
Definitely pick that up at Best Buy on your way home. I can imagine it will look gorgeous on Blue Ray.
I’m so glad I discovered your blog back in November and I have been reading it since then. You have definitely helped me drastically improve my wardrobe and I owe all my thanks to you.
P.S. when your run out of “new entry” ideas, you should do one on steve mcqueen and/or daniel craig. unless you have already done so…
JB,
Thank you SO much!!! It’s always fantastic to know that my readers are actually benefiting from my rants.
Awesome suggestions, too.
Best,
Dennis
Huh!
Interesting- I didn’t know there was another JB lurking around! OK, I guess I’ll go by Jon B.
Oh man JB, Daniel Craig, Daniel Craig, Daniel Craig. Need I say more about the man’s style..? I have a picture of him a navy blue 3 piece suit, in which he looks immaculate. That pic inspires me to aspire to great presentation as a man.
Dennis, don’t sleep on the man’s suggestion.
I love Michael Caine. I can’t think of a movie where he wasn’t dressed perfectly. Either the man has an eye, or his dressers did. I suggest a look at David Niven, too.
That is exactly how I felt when I first saw Bill Cosby play Dave Anderson in “A Piece of The Action.” Impeccable style. Just watching the trailer alone gives you a glimpse of the sartorial greatness that takes place in the film… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udYY103hZcA
Hey, Fair-Rose-
Is a ‘piece of the action’ a good film, beyond the clothes? I’ve never even heard of it, although I do love me some Bill Cosby… and a YOUNG james earl jones!
Bill Cosby & Sidney Poitier made three films together. The trilogy includes Uptown Saturday Night (1974), Let’s Do it Again (1975), and A Piece of the Action (1977). A Piece of the Action is definitely my all-time favorite (though Let’s Do it Again almost gives it a run for its money).
In the film Bill Cosby and Poitier play grifters/con artists who must undergo community service to avoid prison time. Definitely one of Bill’s more serious roles (though the film’s a comedy). There’s action, comedy, a love story, entertainment, education, and sartorial excellence.
Overall its a great film, and you don’t have to watch the films in order because they are all seperate films in their own right.
Hope I answered your question.
-Fair