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The Modern Men’s Style Mt. Rushmore

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Who are the top 4 icons in men’s style today?

Not male fashion icons.  Style.  If you were being forced to adopt someone else’s style, someone in the public eye, you’d turn to one of these guys first.  These types might not break new ground every time they walk out the door, but they always look sharp.  In 20 years from now when we look back at old photos, they’ll still look solid.

These are the men who one day might be seen as early 21st century versions of Cary Grant or Steve McQueen.

Invoking Executive Privilege here:  Clooney is one of the four.  He can slay em’ in a tux, yet doesn’t take dressing well too seriously.  Uncomplicated, sharp, and effortless are all good words.  In a sense he’s just a guy.  An insanely rich, real handsome, dressed in Armani most of the time… guy.

Who finishes off the facade?  Daniel Craig?  What about Jay-Z?  Ryan Gosling is in the conversation.  And all credit to Tom Ford.  He’s not just a consumer but a creator, and somehow he’s avoided the extreme attention grabbing looks other designers fall victim to.  Does Dwayne Wade or David Beckham (& their risks) crack the top four?

Your picks go in the comments.  Let’s carve some rock.

Mt. Rushmore photo credit: K. Magoon | George Clooney Photo Credit: N. Genin.  More on the real Mt. Rushmore here.

Comments

  1. Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He’s an excellent example of a pretty regular guy with an understated sense of style that always serves to elevate his appearance. Plus he’s a pretty damn good actor.

  6. Ryan Gosling is an indisputable icon. He’s young and I see him being a beacon for men for a long time. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a worthy prospect, and he certainly provides an inspiration for men that are on the slimmer side of the spectrum. He’s able to look masculine and fashionable despite his narrow chest and shoulders. I also think Daniel Craig is a candidate.

    Jon Hamm certainly achieved notoriety for leading the charge back to a certain retro 60s suiting trend. But Mad Men will be his one-hit wonder, and he doesn’t have the staying power of someone like Clooney or Gosling.

  9. Gosling for sure. If Daniel Craig gets the nod then Will Smith should almost by definition. And I’m going to reach and say Prince.

  10. Stephan Winkelmann: the CEO of Lamborghini
    Also, I like the Nick Wooster pick but I think it errs on the side of too trendy, along with Lapo Elkann.

  14. This shouldn’t consider costuming, but what the celebs ACTUALLY wear off-the-job….

    Shannon Sharpe is probably a sleeper, but a name worth mentioning…looks great on cbs football, but also does it right off-the-clock

    Daniel Craig….no explanation needed…

    Clooney….again….

    Bradley Cooper usually has some pretty sweet threads, both on and off the set….

  18. Think you have to go with Gosling and Craig with Gordon Levitt shortly thereafter. Another guy not yet mentioned I think that should get consideration would be Ryan Reynolds

  21. Three G’s 1. Gosling, 2. Gordon-Levitt 3. Garfield (Andrew)

    Ryan Gosling is.. well ryan gosling! Take a look at any picture of him on a red carpet, or just out on the street and his style is evident. Also a fantastic actor

    Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s a perfect example of a guy that oozes style effortlessly and just like Gosling, he’s a great actor.

    Garfield, I personally dont think he’s all that great an actor, but definitely knows how to dress himself.

    Best thing about all three, none have that stuck up hollywood vibe, none have a stylist, they’re just casual, naturally stylish guys.

  23. Although LeBron James sometimes dresses a little on the silly side, I generally like how he puts himself together. It probably doesn’t hurt that he has an insane physique that allows him to look pretty good in just about anything.

  24. Two obvious picks would be Joseph Gordon-Levitt and The Gosling. I take style ques from both of them, especially their fit and proportions. I think these other three have great potential, and have shown that they can be real solid in what they choose to wear.
    1. Andrew Garfield (the new spiderman)
    2. Matt Bomer (guy from White Collar)
    3. Amar’e Stoudemire

  30. I was surprised no one had mentioned Bradley Cooper yet. I second this; not always what I’d wear personally, but makes anything look good/carefree.

  31. Taye Diggs. He’s a pretty steady actor and brings a sense of consistent style to all his roles. Seems partial to hats, vests and a semi-casual button down and jeans style that makes you wanna have him as your wingman.

  38. No mention of Brad Pitt?! A certain style doesn’t define him but he pretty much can do it all …

  39. Yep, quaded(?). I wasn’t really following him until I saw *Crazy, Stupid, Love* – never really dug him at all before that movie – but since then, I’ve googled his style choices several times for some inspiration and ideas. Hell, even some pics of him and Eva Mendes visiting a Paris graveyard (Morrison’s resting(?) place, IIRC) show him in some pretty slick digs. One *current* cool cat.

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2066546/Ryan-Gosling-Eva-Mendes-PDA-romantic-stroll-Paris.html

  41. I’m a big fan of Andre 3000. He’s toned it down as he transitioned from rapper to actor but he still keeps a unique look that is always well put together.

  44. Man, I can’t help but think that Joe’s looked at a couple of these names and gone, “what am I doing wrong?”

  45. David Beckham. You have to have him on there. He’s been in more fashion campaigns than Clooney and we know him almost as much for his style and looks than we do for his abilities on the field.

  55. Time for me to fess up. I was not on the Joseph Gordon-Levitt train, at all. And then I saw Inception. Last month (I know, way late to that party). I was stunned with how well he pulled it off. Same goes with his character in the latest batman. So, now I’m on the train.

  64. George Clooney, Joseph Gordon-Levitt,and Ryan Gosling are my definites, in that order if I ranked them. Not sure who I would pick for fourth.

  66. You should watch his SNL monologue, too. Backflips off the walls? nbd.

    Kid is as affable and at ease as they come, and the duds just stay out of the way.

  68. People! Are we forgetting Justin Timberlake? He takes risks with sartorial inclinations and that is the sign of a style icon.

  71. Guys, Guys!! This is the guy who wears cargo pants and capris. Something apparently everyone on this forum would never wear if their life depended on it. With that being said, he just seems like a super cool guy. And an awesome actor. I would fill the rest of Mt. Rushmore with Jake Gyllenhaal, who knows how to pull off a nice suit. Michael Fassbender is really making a name for himself. And although JGL is out there now and everyone loves him, how about Bruce Willis? This guy always looks spiffy. ALWAYS. Google search this guy. Maybe because he’s older, but this dude is usually in a dark suit with a tie less shirt a la Tom Ford. I would nominate him on this list also

  73. 1. Justin Timberlake (film evidence: Friends With Benefits)
    2. Ryan Goslin (film evidence: Crazy, Stupid, Love)
    3. Will Smith (film evidence: Hitch)

  76. #4 Ryan Gosling, duh
    #3 Jon Hamm, duh
    #2 Woost God, aka Nick Wooster

    and #1
    Kwon Ji Yong aka G-Dragon. This dude just kills it no matter what.

  79. David Beckham. Could make a totally straight man play for the other team if you catch my drift….lol

  81. dude bow down, pay some homage, don’t spill hate, on all his garments

    Comme des Garçons, f#%k your fresh, headshots dude, f#%k your vest.

  82. You know, I wouldn’t have immediately thought Ice Cold, but yeah, I’d give him a nod. Used to be way out there, but I dig his style.

  85. easy…..Lapo Elkann. if you dont know who he is you should look him up, while your at it look up his grandfather Gianni Agnelli

  89. Respecting the executive privilege thing, I promote the following three. I leaned rakish, because at icon status they should be trying a little harder.Nickelson Wooster
    Andre Benjamin
    Tom Ford

  91. The only one I didn’t see mentioned is NPH. Neil Patrick Harris always makes the case for better dress (though for questionable ends) and in one of the most popular shows on tv. Other than that, JGL and Ryan Gosling.

  92. Some of his *choices*, including those hideous capris – didn’t he break up a street fight wearing those, though – that’s extra credit right there – are indeed a little iffy. I’m thinking of some of the cutoff/ripped t-shirts/tank-tops and the like, along with some of the low-cut tees (I can’t think of how else to describe those). Still, some of those may just be because dude was out on a jog, walking his dog, or just left the gym, or something. Dunno. Regardless, in many of the pics I’ve seen, his street-style is pretty nice. Maybe somewhat basic, from time to time, but that also makes it easier for the common-man to *steal the style* yet still look smoooooooooth. Here’s a pic that *reminds* me of some old snapshots of “the King of Cool” himself, Steve McQueen. And don’t forget even *he* was caught on camera in a gray t-shirt and faded chinos – a basic, yet smoooooth look.

  93. Gabriel S. Macht (Harvey Specter from USA’s “Suits”

    Nick Cannon- He always looks well put together on Americas got Talent.

    LeBron James

    David Beckham

  94. After all of the Gosling babble (I still vote for him in this, BTW), I’m thinking maybe Ewan McGregor would be a good choice. Maybe not the most in-your-face one, but a lot of his style seems to be pretty slick.

    And yeah, Daniel Craig is a pretty solid choice too. Although a few of his in-public, on-the-street pics look a little out of place. But again, these dudes sometimes just wanna *not* be noticed. Weird, but true, right?

    What about, say… Leo? Or does his *occasional* sloppiness cross him off of the list? Sometimes he looks all-put-together, other times… well… *not*.

  95. If you run out of space, Joe, you could always use a morph/merger of two of the possible fellas’ faces:

  97. don’t be fools gentlemen, if ryan gosling isn’t on that mountain we’re all lying to ourselves

  99. Well played. (another one I still need to see… why my wife hasn’t suggested we see this yet, just for the man-candy factory is beyond me.)

  107. Definitely D Wade over Lebron or Westbrook. Wade is arguably the best put together basketballer/sportsman.

  109. Gosling is unique because he’s one of the few actors who doesn’t have a stylist – he picks all those outfits himself. That’s amazing, especially in the world of entertainment, where every facet of your image is controlled. I wouldn’t be surprised if Clooney and Brad Pitt both have stylists, and I know for a fact Tom Cruise does (though that’s probably one of the least influential of his image-producing squad).

    That said, Gosling easily gets my vote.

  111. Andre 3000, no question. Neil Patrick-Harris is a strong contender. The sleeper nobody’s mentioned yet? Johnny Depp. Not only is he able to wear just about any costume imaginable, he’s always fresh off camera.

  115. If you get a chance, watch him in “Brick.” That movie is what made me think he was a bad ass. He was also great in the most recent Batman. Have you seen 50/50? That was awesome too. Ok, I guess I’m a big fan. Also check out 500 Days of Summer.

  116. Yeah, and he’s an excellent 3 point shooter! And he sports New Balance in the NBA! Matt Bonner is my hero!

  122. So i just realized who I wanted for my fourth..
    1. George Clooney
    2. Joseph Gordon-Levitt
    3. Ryan Gosling
    4. Neil Patrick Harris.

  125. I do agree that JGL looks darn good in his suits … but lets not forgot that actors, even “regular” looking guys like JGL, have stylists that help them immensely when it comes to red carpet events and magazine shoots. An actors agent or publicists sends their clients measurements and the stylists asks “What kind of look are you going for?” or “Any color you prefer?” and a day or two later you look like you just dressed yourself. Smoke and mirrors people.

  127. >> none
    have a stylist, they’re just casual, naturally stylish guys.

    My senses are telling me they do have one, may not be hired, but I wouldn’t be surprised if all three called one up and asked for some advice. All the premieres and photo portraits have one thing in common: stylists are at hand and they have a rack of clothes and accessories to choose from.

  129. I think Ryan Gosling should be a no brainer for this one. A close second for me is Jon Hamm, the guy is always killing it. He has a very classic look (outside of Mad Men).

  130. is the monologue available anywhere? I thought it had been permanently scrubbed off the internet because NBC didn’t want to pay for the royalties for the song he used.

  131. Funny you mention FWB because it was just on last night on HBO. If anyone remembers the park scene when both Timberlake and Mila Kunis take their turns on approaching potentials, Timberlake had on a decent ensemble: light blue oxford, navy trousers, medium brown oxfords, and a black belt. Wait a black belt w/ brown shoes. That threw me off. Still did his style, but he missed on that.

  132. Definitely Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Ryan Gosling. Then I can’t decide between Neil Patrick Harris, Daniel Craig, Jon Hamm, and definitely Shannon Sharpe. I’m tempted to go Sharpe (in spite of not caring at all about sports!) because of how much he bucks the trend of his industry. And we know that’s all his own clothing. Honestly, I can’t wait for football season just because of the weekly Dappered feature on his clothes!

  133. 1) Steve McQueen, 2) Frank Sinatra, 3) Don Draper 4) John F. Kennedy 5) and please forgive me for this one : Zac Efron