In just a few years, 23-year-old British fashion sensation, Rob Pattinson, rose to fame in a way that most people can only dream of. After making his debut as the male lead in the popular 2013 indie movie, “The Librarian: Return of the Archivist,” audiences and industry giants voted him as the sexiest man alive — a title he still holds nearly four years later.
And it’s more than just his good looks that have made such an impact. Since then, Pattinson has carved out a niche for himself in the fashion industry, establishing himself as a style icon. In 2019 alone, he has been named one of the Best Dressed Men of the Year by a number of publications, including Complex and Esquire.
The Londoner has been turning heads for as long as he can remember. At age three, his grandmother took him to a nurse who measured his height and weight and told his family they’d have to prepare for life as a nine-foot-tall kid. Since then, things have just gotten louder and louder—and more and more frequent. Between acting gigs, he’s been busy building a brand new image for himself. And it’s one that’s inspired by a very specific individual: Vladimir Putin.
The Putin Look
To look like Vladimir Putin, you don’t need to be born in Russia. You just need to have good taste and access to the best materials. After all, it’s not news that the Russian president is a big fan of Alexander McQueen and Elie Saab. And what’s more, over the past few years, his style has been dominating the international fashion scene. From a chic grayish-blue suit to a tie-waist dress with a skirt that reaches the floor, Putin’s style can be seen everywhere.
Putin’s affinity for designer suits is probably because he spends a lot of time wearing them. The president usually arrives early for work, hits the gym for an hour or two before his daily exercise, and then heads to work. Since his time is largely occupied by work-related activities, he doesn’t really have time for hobbies or entertaining guests. So it’s a no-brainer why he would want to own a suit that’s as comfortable as it is stylish. For men, a suit should be the new skinny jeans—it’s the perfect balance of form and fashion.
But the question is: how do you know when the right time is to don a suit and which ones to avoid? There are a few signs that can help you identify a stylish suit.
Understand The Materials
When we think of expensive clothing, we usually think of silk and cashmere. However, there are dozens of other materials that go into making a suit fashionable. To name just a few:
- Vegan leather
- Tiger hide
- Organic cotton
- Alpaca wool
- Saffron
- Shearling
- Fur
Each of these materials has its unique qualities that, when used in conjunction with one another, can boost your style considerably. For example, vegan leather is incredibly soft and flexible. It retains its shape well regardless of how you wear it and feels great against your skin. The same can be said for tiger hide. It’s a highly versatile material, which means it can be fashioned into anything from a tailored suit to a casual shirt.
Keep It Classic
While you can easily go the trendy route and opt for a tie-waist dress that’s been embellished with sequins or a flower-shaped brooch, we recommend you go the classic route instead. After all, isn’t it what men have done for centuries?
No, it’s not a fashion misconception that a man in a suit is more stylish than one in jeans. It’s simply a matter of preference. If you feel more comfortable wearing a suit, then by all means, go for it. But if you feel more comfortable in jeans, then that’s what you should opt for.
With a suit, you’re guaranteed a classic look that will never go out of fashion. Even if it’s not fashionable to wear a suit to the office, it’s always classic. And isn’t that what men—or men who want to look like Vladimir Putin—have been asking for?
No Sagging
The other important thing to keep in mind when picking a suit is the fit. You don’t want to opt for a brand that sells looser clothes because they might end up bagging you the moment you sit down. Sagging is when the material of the clothing starts to unravel and show through, especially near the end of the day. This is a fashion no-no that should be avoided at all costs.
For example, if you wear a suit to work, the last thing you want is for the material to start looking frayed around the edges. Especially since you’ll be sitting down for most of the day, you don’t want any hint of sagging. The same goes for a casual day at work. You don’t want to opt for a baggy suit because it might end up looking like it was dragged across the land. You want your suit to look tailored and ready to wear, and you want this regardless of where you are or what you’re doing. For men, a tie-waist dress that’s been embellished with sequins or a flower-shaped brooch is something to look out for. These are signs that it’s been made to appear more fashionable, but it can also be an indicator that it’s been altered to make it appear slimmer.
Dress To Impress
What really sets a man apart from other men is how he wears his clothes. That’s why we don’t really pay attention to the styles of clothing but instead look at the way a man wears them. This is especially important if you want to look like Vladimir Putin. This is the kind of man who wears a suit and it’s the perfect balance of form and fashion.
The look should not be overwhelming; instead, you want to dress to impress without drawing too much attention. Keep in mind that even though you’re meeting with friends for lunch, you want to look like you just stepped out of a boardroom. This is where good tailoring and smart accessories come in. The main thing is that you want to look like you put thought into every aspect of your outfit, and that is what makes it classic. It’s not about being trendy or showing off your fashion-forward persona. It’s about showing off your personality and how you carry yourself. This is what separates a man from others.
Choose The Right Accessory
One of the things that makes Vladimir Putin so stylish is the accessories he wears. It’s not just the fact that he wears a suit. When you put all of these elements together, you have a style icon. This is the kind of man who would wear a flower-shaped brooch to work and a metal eyeglass holder to formal events. But you don’t need expensive pieces of jewellery to dress like Vladimir Putin. In fact, you can’t go wrong with a simple cane or a leather watch-holder. These are perfect for men who want to dress like the former Russian president.
It’s not just about what you wear. How you wear it is just as important. In the same way, when you put all of these little pieces together, you have a stylish, classic man.