Assassin Chic: The Day of the Jackal

We all know that assassins are a notoriously cool bunch of dressers. You've only to witness Alain Delon in Le Samourai to see that. But running Delon's lone wolf assassin a close second in the style stakes has to be Edward Fox's cold-hearted Charles Calthrop in The Day of The Jackal.

Told in a semi-documentary style, the film centres on Calthrop's attempt to assassinate French premier Charles de Gaulle in 1963. Masterly directed by Fred Zinnemann, it's a must see for the cool '60s cars, elegant attire and possibly the sleekest weapon ever to grace a hitman's hands.

Hats off to: Alain Delon in Le Samourai

One of my favourite French films of the 60s is Jean-Pierre Melville's gangster flick, Le Samourai. It's the tale of the lone assassin, Jef Costello, who lives a monastic existence in a Paris apartment, and organizes his underworld hits with a ruthless sense of perfection. Costello's sense of perfection extended to his wardrobe too: In a dark cashmere suit, white oxford cloth button-down, trenchcoat or crombie, and grey fedora, he was the coolest, most soigné assassin ever to deliver a coup de grace. You can buy the film from Amazon, or if you fancy getting some Delon-style headwear for yourself, try a reputable hatter like Bates or Lock & Co in Jermyn Street.