The dress shirt, which needs no introduction, is an essential staple of the menswear wardrobe, and the team at Hast certainly wouldn't disagree. A professional uniform to wear with a tie, required attire for major occasions, an extra touch of sophistication for an evening with friends: while the shirt remains essential for exceptional moments, it has now become a modern staple, instantly adding a touch of attitude and charisma to whoever wears it. An absolute symbol of elegance and effortless masculinity, the dress shirt has even become undeniably sexy once again over time. It is hardly surprising, then, that cinema's greatest icons use it to assert their status as undeniably stylish men. From the perfect gentleman and the dashing rogue to the vigilante or the villain, Hast invites you to rediscover this iconic piece through a look at cinema's greatest figures in shirts.
A brief history of the shirt...
To understand the myth, a brief history first. The shirt's origins date back to antiquity under the name "tunica", when it was worn as an undergarment crafted from natural fabrics. It was not until the Renaissance that the shirt became an outer garment in its own right, complete with its famous detachable collars.
In the 18th century, shirts adopted delicate materials like silk and became a mark of social distinction. Later, as suits became accessible to a wider audience, a vast range of shirts appeared, featuring new colourways and patterns or stripes. In the 1930s, detachable collars gave way to attached collars, and the shirt has continued to evolve ever since, becoming the iconic staple we know today.
The shirt, a sexy icon through 4 legendary cinema figures
John Travolta in Reservoir Dogs
Tarantino delights in dressing his criminals in a "mod" style: black suit, skinny tie and dress shirt. Elevated to icon status with the film Grease, John Travolta casts aside his black t-shirt and wears the white shirt to perfection, playing with the codes of the villain disguised as a sharp businessman. With a generous collar and a tailored fit without being too snug, the actor's style relies on a winning combination of dependable classics and a timeless look that has stood the test of time.
Ryan Gosling in Crazy, Stupid, Love
In an entirely different style, yet just as sexy, Jacob Palmer—played by Ryan Gosling in Crazy, Stupid, Love—dispenses advice on romance and style. Embodying the confident man we all secretly wish to be, with sunglasses firmly in place and a tailored three-piece suit, Ryan Gosling also proudly sports a selection of shirts, each more dashing than the last. A special mention goes to the blue striped shirt with a contrasting collar, which adds a touch of flair without ever straying into poor taste.
Richard Gere in American Gigolo
Julian Kay, the film's protagonist, is a young gigolo catering to high-society women in the 1980s. When this character is portrayed by Richard Gere, the icon of an entire generation, it makes for an unforgettable impression. A special nod goes to the scenes where Richard Gere discreetly unbuttons his shirt, turning it into the epitome of sensual masculinity.
Cillian Murphy in Peaky Blinders
When the actor accepted the role of the dangerous and mysterious Tommy Shelby in "Peaky Blinders", it was his third time playing a "villain", following the Scarecrow in "Batman Begins" and a stalker in "Red Eye". In this role, the actor sports a decidedly retro style set in late 19th-century England. With a refined, vintage look, Cillian Murphy favours the shirt cut slim with distinctive details, such as a collar with a silver brass pin or a concealed placket.
Directly associated with the great style icons of our time, the dress shirt possesses an undeniable allure that no longer needs proving. Unmatched when it comes to turning up the heat, it looks perhaps most alluring when borrowed by your partner. Worn casually unbuttoned, this versatile piece will never cease to surprise you.
