Tom Hardy's cinema style

Legend (2015)

Tie bars, subtle checks, pocket squares and knitted ties – Tom Hardy’s latest foray into knocking heads together on camera, this month’s Kray brothers biopic, is a 131-minute masterclass in the importance of small tailoring details for big impact. If there was anything the 60s East End gangsters knew better than brawling, it was how to look as sharp as the flick knives hidden in their breast pockets. 

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Hold on, stay with us here. Yes, the Batman baddie with the Scooby-Doo voice finds comfort in rocking floor-fitter’s kneepads with some bizarre Velcro shoe-boot hybrids, but look at that fine coat. Faux teddy fur is the menswear texture of 2015, the right blend of P-Diddy preening and max-relaxing loungewear. No teddy bears were hurt in the making of Bane’s banging trench coat, which is more than we can say for the hundreds of police officers he punched to death in the movie.  

Lawless (2012)

Bruising bootlegger Forrest Bondurant couldn’t let his mouth do the talking and instead communicated his intent with his big giant fists. So if anyone was going to resurrect the tired knitted cardigan, it was Hardy’s character in this awesome prohibition-era drama. In fact, he did such a good job of bringing the cardie back to life that for a short while it became known as the ‘Hardigan’ after the film’s release. Top it off with Forrest’s fedora and a band collar shirt, but maybe leave his trademark brass knuckles in the 30s. 

Warrior (2011)

You know a man has the power when he’s torn his tracksuit bottoms in half. But if you don’t have the guns for the job, cut ‘em up before donning them with a grey top and black beanie – also known as the outfit of two of boxing’s best, Sly Stallone’s Rocky and Hardy’s Tommy Conlon in this testosterone-soaked flick.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

When you think ‘classic sartorial action man’, one name springs to mind – the late, great Steve McQueen. That’s precisely the thought track that Hardy’s wardrobe team had when finding inspiration for his field agent character Ricki Tarr. Straight chinos, preppy shirts and a staple Harrington jacket is the outfit to wear if your day is split between seducing ladies and neutralising threats to national security.