How to wear all white like Steve McQueen
From the perfect white T-shirts to a wardrobe full of bright, light trousers…
Words: Jonathan Wells
Usually, when we discuss the ‘shades’ of Steve McQueen, we’re talking about his iconic Persol sunglasses. But there was more to the famed actor’s signature style than a pair of frames. From three-piece suits to denim jeans (or ‘Steve McQueens’, as they’re rightfully known as in rhyming slang), the King of Cool blazed a trail for hard-wearing, no-frills fashion.
And, whether he was wearing swim shorts or racing suits, showing off the cuffs of his sweatshirts or the soles of his sneakers, he did so a lot of the time in one simple shade: white. Why McQueen felt such an affinity for the light, bright tone we’ll never know, especially as it’s a tricky look to pull off. But, if you’re aiming to change up your threads and emulate this one-tone ensemble, especially with sunnier days ahead, who better to educate us than the man himself?
Begin by mastering the notoriously tricky white trousers
Few men can pull off bright-white trousers. And yet McQueen — someone seemingly slathered in motor oil half the time — managed to maintain several pristine pairs. How? Easy: he had different white trousers for various occasions.
First up were his jeans, something slim and durable, like Loro Piana’s hard-wearing, fresh-looking option. Next, his chinos, which you can try and recreate with Orlebar Brown. The British brand’s spin on the style, with its nickel-effect adjustable side fasteners, is the ideal off-duty item in which to skim through your own copy of Motor Racing at the weekend. And, finally, for a touch of formality (we’ve all got film premieres to attend now and then), you won’t find a trimmer pair than Mr Marvis’s Wimbledons.
Use a plain white T-shirt to form the foundation of any look
Like James Dean and Marlon Brando, McQueen mastered the insouciant cool of the plain white T-shirt. In fact, the actor went one step further, by managing to make logo tees, from motoring manufacturers, look inexplicably elegant. You likely don’t race at Sebring during your downtime, so we’d suggest steering clear of items such as McQueen’s Triumph design, as seen above.
Instead, stick to the basics. Sunspel’s 100 per cent Supima cotton option is lightweight and lustrous to the touch. Just as high quality is this other unembellished design, courtesy of Uniform Standard, whose slightly roomier fit is perfect for long, sunny afternoons with your arms outstretched to a pair of handlebars. And, from NN07, is a cotton-jersey take that has a slight stretch for ease of movement.
Take your sweatshirt-styling cues from the laid-back actor
Being a loungewear essential, it’s no surprise that many of McQueen’s favourite at-ease looks featured a sweatshirt. And, as with the rest of the actor’s white-skewed wardrobe, he preferred these practical pieces in a lighter hue.
Though aimed for the masses, wearing a sweatshirt doesn’t mean sacrificing on luxury, as MR P.’s cashmere creation, and Hackett’s double-knit-fabric construction, can attest to. For those spring/summer days when the weather takes a turn for the worse, look to this nautical-style jumper, by Aubin, which is influenced by British naval heritage.
Lace up a pair of staple sneakers
McQueen’s choice of footwear continues to influence fashion to this day. His Sanders chukka boots, in particular, have been ripped-off and replicated by myriad brands, many of whom attempt to lace up some of that signature leading-man charm. But it’s the actor’s sneakers, in all their unspoiled glory, we’re most taken by.
Simple, stripped back and with a practical low-top construction, McQueen’s kicks were no-nonsense. It’s an effective approach worked to similar success with Common Projects’s contemporary classic. North 89 has added a touch of texture with mesh detailing, meanwhile Axel Arigato’s Clean 90s have a chunky sole for a modern touch.
Looking for more style inspiration? From Mr. Blonde to Rick Dalton, these are the best-dressed Quentin Tarantino characters…
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