

Style Icon – Ryan Gosling
Words: Violet
Style Icon – Ryan Gosling
Rather than pull together a paragraph on why Gosling is the ultimate hero when it comes to, well, most things if we’re being honest, we thought we’d just make a list. Ok, fine, we tried the paragraph but it just didn’t do him justice, so here’s our punchy list (easily printable too in case you feel the urge to turn it into a checklist for life’s achievements):
“Fifteen Reasons why Ryan Gosling is the Ultimate Icon”
1. He has the power to make even grown men cry. Just watch The Notebook
2. He has succeeded in making motorbikes sex symbols once again (About time! Women have had to cling to the memory of Gere and Cruise atop theirs for far too long).
3. He has proven he can fake beat a man to death on several occasions
4. He has perfected the stubble that every man wants
5. He has revived the double-breasted jacket from its ‘grandpa’ reputation
6. He has breathed life back into Indie films, even for those resolutely disinterested in them
7. He has proven that to look cool and dapper all a man needs is a white t-shirt (it doesn’t even need to be clean)
8. He’s perfected the brooding stare which is the only weapon any man needs
9. He’s made the ‘hood’ being grungy a thing of the past
10. He used to be in a band and has been spotted playing the bagalmas in the street
11. He’s announced that he’s taking a break away from acting to try out other things – so casual
12. He’s succeeded in making reading glasses a key trend after so many men have tried and failed before him
13. His girlfriend is Eva Mendes. Enough said.
14. He has proven that pyjama tops aren’t just for the bedroom
15. Finally, he’s made it impossible for most of the world’s men to take their tops off and feel proud
Get the Gosling look:
Unlike a lot of stylish celebrities who get snapped here and there for sporting the odd sartorially sharp look, Gosling has his own defining, subversive, uber casual, always-on style that never fails him. The man could work a beaver on his head, but his style secrets are pretty simple, and can be narrowed down (give or take a few) to five or six staple items, making his look easy to replicate.
Work a white t-shirt

Pair with jeans and you’ve got a pretty powerful but understated look. Could it be more simple to achieve?

V-neck t-shirt, £50, James Perse at matchesfashion.com
Make reading glasses the ultimate cool

From bad boy to intellectual in one simple move…

Afton glasses from oliverpeoples.comReconsider the hood

Add to your brooding Gosling-style stare for a down-to-earth, so ‘not bothered’ look

Hooded sweatshirt, £530, Bottega Veneta at matchesfashion.comWork the hell out of a double-breasted suit

Bring it back in a slim-fit to avoid channelling HRH Prince Charles

Double-breasted suit, £300, from paulsmith.co.ukLie low in leather boots

Rough, rugged and ready-to-wear

Boots, £465, John Varvatos at matchesfashion.comLook busy with a backpack

How to carry your goods around if you’re a worldwide icon

Rucksack, £140, J. Crew at mrporter.comFinally, sharpen up your stubble

By Emma Corbett