In the dog days of summer, it’s tempting to dive into a dark, air-conditioned movie house to escape the midday heat. We did, and emerged with three cinematically-inspired ideas for refreshing our summer wardrobes. Check ‘em out below.
Picture: ASOS
The Talented Mr Ripley
The Talented Mr Ripley is the second film adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's 1955 novel, and it continues in the super-stylish, Riviera-chic vein of it's predecessor, 1960 Alain Delon vehicle Plein Soleil.
There's a lot going on here: mistaken identity, jealousy, obsession, plot twists and turns, and some top smouldering from a youthful Jude Law, but the clothes are still the stand-out performer. Law's Dickie Greenleaf lives the good life in slick 50s resort wear – all espadrilles, short-sleeved shirts and killer swimming trunks.
Picture: ASOS
Our take updates the film's East-Coast-wealth-meets-Southern-Italian-suave for a classic, smart/casual take on summer holiday steez.
Picture: Rex
Kids
This summer has seen the 20th anniversary of Larry Clark's day-in-the-life drama Kids and, if the birthday celebrations have been rather more enthusiastic in fashion mag circles than in the film world, that's understandable. While the script and plot hasn't dated well (for all its edgy framing, it plays out like a pretty grim morality tale about bad teens doing bad things), the fashion on show has continued to influence everyone from skate brand Supreme (whose New York store was a hang-out for many of the cast members) to designer JW Anderson.
Picture: ASOS
While we can't endorse reviving the frankly ridiculously wide-legged trousers sported by the Kids' male anti-heroes Telly and Casper, there's little wrong with the basic NYC-skate-kid template, starting of course with Converse All-Star kicks. We've also added in oversized shorts, a skater fit tee and a backpack with more than enough room for a 40oz.
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Do The Right Thing
Spike Lee's classic long-summer-day film is a riot of bold, brilliant colours and that extends to the outfits on display. With graphic-print tees, crisp Air Jordans, sports jerseys, vest, snapback caps, neon leggings shorts worn under short shorts – the flick remains a blueprint for strong hot-weather streetwear today (well, apart from the leggings shorts bit, maybe).
Picture: ASOS
Our version riffs on Lee's late 80s Brooklyn vibe, with a racer-back vest, adidas kicks and basketball shorts, while its centrepiece – a funky fresh Hawaiian-print shirt – wouldn't have looked out of place on the shoulders of Samuel L Jackson's DJ character, Mister Señor Love Daddy.
STYLE. GROOMING. INSPIRATION. ADVICE.
