The Rum Diary

Some production shots from the forthcoming Johnny Depp movie, The Rum Diary. Directed by Withnail's Bruce Robinson, the Rum Diary is based on the Hunter S Thompson novel and set in Puerto Rico during the sixties. Judging from the shots, Depp is looking very well groomed and not at like Captain Jack.

Days of Being Wild

One of my favourite films of the early '90s is Wong Kar Wai's, largely forgotten masterpiece "Days of Being Wild". With gorgeously indulgent cinematography by Christopher Doyle, the film superbly captures the nostalgia of 1960s Hong Kong in a similar way to Wong's later and more famous film, "In the Mood For Love".

The late Leslie Cheung was never better than starring as the cruel self-absorbed drifter, with Carina Lau, Maggie Cheung and Andy Lau offering excellent support. The sixties interiors are authentically vintage, and the clothes are a feast for the eyes - thin cut ties and sharp tailoring for Cheung and exotic cheongsams and floral print dresses for the women. You can get hold of a copy on dvd here.

From Here To Eternity

Mil-issue chinos and leathers, Hawaiian shirts, Burt and Deb rolling around in the surf - what's not to like about "From Here To Eternity"? Some great supporting cast there too, Frank in his comeback role, Monty as the rebellious Prewitt, and Borgnine at his vicious best.

By the way, if you're into the FHTE look, try a Buzz Ricksons HBT work shirt, some Cramerton Twills from Bill's Khakis, a pair of black Red Wing Iron Rangers, and an Aloha shirt from Reyn Spooner. Oh, and some number two clippers around the back and sides.

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.

70 today

Bruce Lee would have been 70 today. Born on 27th November 1940, he died aged just 32 in 1973. As well as being the all time king of the martial arts movie, he was quite a snappy dresser, especially back in the 60s. As a birthday tribute, here are some pictures from the days when he wore thin lapels and skinny ties.

Ripley Style

In Anthony Minghella's 1999 film version of "The Talented Mr Ripley", the elegant Italian suits and accessories are symbolic of the lifestyle that impoverished Tom Ripley lusts after. Particularly when they're being worn by the wealthy socialite, Dickie Greenleaf. Ripley ends up acquiring Greenleaf's threads, his tailor and his sartorial sense of style, even if he has to resort to some dark deeds in the process. Mind you I'd have killed to get my hands on some of this stuff too.

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.

The Full Monty

When I was at uni, one of my favourite books was Patricia Bosworth's brilliantly written biography of the actor Montgomery Clift. In the book, Clift comes across as something of a tortured genius, a mummy's boy with a consummate acting technique, developed on the stage and honed working alongside greats like Alfred Hitchcock, George Stevens and Howard Hawks. I read that book cover to cover at least four or five times. Yet the thing that I was most entranced with was the pictures. Clift in a crisp white button down Brooks Brothers shirt and sports jacket. Clift taking Liz Taylor to a premiere in a tux. In fact Clift looked great in anything from a leather jacket to a baggy tweed suit when the mood suited him. (When it didn't, according to Bosworth, he could often be seen slouching around in jackets full of holes looking generally unkempt and "like a bum", but that's another story.) Anyway, I thought I'd share with you some of the man's looks and wardrobe. Even today, 44 years after his death, he's still something of a style icon.