As a dedicated sartorialist (he has his own menswear line with Superdry) and
contender for the role of James Bond, Idris Elba is a fitting choice for today’s Inspired Style. The
Luther
star’s love of dark, moody colors and layering provides a wealth of inspiration for the coming fall months. What we
admire about Elba’s sense of style is how he brings polish and charisma to any outfit, transitioning seamlessly between
red carpet suits and street wear. What keeps his looks on point is keen attention to tailoring - as well as knowing when
and how to break the rules. With his new sci-fi film
The Dark Tower in theaters,
Thor: Ragnarok coming
November, and another season of
Luther, you’ll be seeing a lot more of Elba – and his nearly impeccable style
pedigree - in months to come. Let's learn from this dashing Englishman by breaking down three outfits where he proved
he’s one of the best-dressed A-listers out there.
Outfit 1: The Gray Suit
The gray suit has become a staple for Idris Elba on the red carpet. More
interesting than a black suit and less outlandish than a more colorful hue, a gray suit conveys sleekness. Just remember
to give it personal flair by playing with the color and texture of your shirt and tie. Here, at the premier of
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Elba wears a lavender button-up and polka-dot tie to add a touch of color to his
Prada suit. A good rule of thumb for patterns: the bigger the pattern, the simpler the shirt. When donning a suit, Elba
believes
it’s all about the shoes and the cut on the trouser. Decide on proper pant length and
the amount of break you’d like.
SHOP SIMILAR: The Suit – Bonobos The Foundation Italian Wool Suit The Shirt – Finamore Cotton Herringbone Shirt The Tie – BHLDN Grey Dot
Tie The Shoes – Monte Rosso Lazio Cap-Toe Oxford --
Outfit 2: The Casual Polo
Many actors excel on the red carpet, but their style flounders when it comes to
everyday dressing. Not Elba. As an actor who works 18-hour days, it’s no surprise Idris Elba has mastered comfortable
style. In fact, he says his style is best described as “charismatic and easy-to-wear gear.” His go-to look? A polo shirt
and jeans. If you thought polo shirts were just for golf, Idris Elba will quickly convert you. A devotee to the classic
polo, Elba adds attitude to the staple while keeping things polished with impeccable fit. For his appearance on “The
Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Elba packed a casual punch with a navy polo, dark blue jeans, and comfortable
printed slip ons. To prevent casual from looking sloppy, Idris always abides by the rule of dressing for his body shape.
The polo isn’t too tight (which would make him look like a beef head) or too loose. The dark blues of this outfit,
combined with varying textures, make it an excellent transition look between summer and fall. Put on a gold watch like
Elba for a smart finishing touch.
SHOP SIMILAR: The Shirt – Polo Ralph Lauren Slim-Fit Cotton-Jersey Polo Shirt
The Jeans – AG Jeans Tellis Slim-Fit Denim Jeans The Shoes – Toms Navy Washed Canvas Deconstructed Alpargatas --
Outfit 3: The Layered Wool Coats
Technically this is not Elba’s outfit but that of his tormented detective
character, John Luther, but it doesn’t stray far from how Elba usually layers his coats and overcoats. Elba sticks with
monotone grays to keep the focus on texture. The popped collar and striped red tie freshen up what would otherwise be a
somewhat bleak palette. The result is a rich, interesting ensemble befitting cold fall and winter days.
SHOP
SIMILAR: The Overcoat – Brooks Brothers Double-Faced Wool-Blend Topcoat The Coat
– Hugo Boss Wool Blend Jacket The Shirt –
J. Crew Secret Wash Shirt in White The Tie – Canali Dots & Stripes Silk Tie The Pants
– Thomas Maier Slim-Fit Stretch-Cotton Twill Chinos
