STYLE LESSONS: TRAINSPOTTING

If a hollow-eyed heroin addict on the run from the police (albeit a handsome one, in the form of Ewan McGregor) can look good in a bomber jacket, you know you can as well.

As the classic opening scene when Renton is almost run over shows, the bomber is one of the most flatteringly cut pieces of outerwear available and can be paired with anything – even a child-sized skinny tee and a flannel shirt tied around the waist.

Actually, while we’re on flannel shirts, it probably hasn’t escaped your notice that grunge is back. From hip-hop’s stylish set to labels like Versace and Givenchy – everyone’s reimagining the slouchy look that emerged from the Seattle scene, for a new generation.

Such is the cyclical nature of fashion, if you stepped out in Renton’s turn-of-the-90s getup of a grimy T-shirt and torn skinny jeans – like those he wore to chat up Diane outside a nightclub – you’d look bang on trend for 2017. The cropped retro top also exposes the midriff meaning it offers a great touch of camp, too.

Renton had his ‘opted out of society’ scruffy look, Sickboy his ‘you can trust me, honest’ devotion to tailoring and Begbie his hard man uniform of polo sweatshirts, white socks and loafers. He radiated an 80s-casual vibe that signaled both his macho values and blatant disconnect from his junkie-hipster mates.

The point is, each of the Trainspotting lads dressed to express exactly who they were and you should too. Check out some more tips for nailing a signature style here.

When Trainspotting was first released, no man hid his face behind a giant beard besides American lumberjacks and Captain Birdseye. In the post-hipster world, we are slowly returning to that point.

Begbie’s mustache aside, the boys all opted to be clean-shaven which gave them a youthful, open appeal – even if they were committing heinous crimes at the time. Renton’s number 1 all over haircut continued the (not so) clean-cut approach.

A much-overlooked aspect of dressing – unless it’s your dad talking – is feeling comfortable. And in 2017, when soft tailoring and billowing fits are all the rage, that doesn’t mean having to give up on looking sharp. 

Renton, Sickboy and Spud always dressed with a certain looseness – even when standing up in court – that made them look right at home. It’s about feeling relaxed, ken what I mean big man?