You know what’s great about living in Britain? All the options for costume parties at Halloween! I mean, we really do have the best of both worlds when it comes to Halloween costumes. We can be as outrageous or as classy as we want to be. As a result, we’ve really got something for everyone.
One of the best-known personalities in Britain is none other than Robert Pattinson. After making a name for himself on the big screen with his portrayal of Pattinson in the Twilight series, the man himself became a fashion phenomenon. Even today, three years after the series wrapped, fans continue to dress up as him and his co-star, Bella Swan. Naturally, this led to the creation of a dedicated blog called robpattinson.com. More notably, fans can now follow the superstar on social media platforms like Twitter, where he continues to tweet about fashion and style, as well as about the odd movie or TV show that he’s in. We spoke to the 35-year-old about his fashion legacy, what it’s like to follow in his footsteps, and…well, let’s just say we had a lot of questions. So let’s get into it.
Style Is A Decade Younger
If you’ve been following Fashion and Style for long enough, you’ll know that style has shifted towards a more youthful direction. While the world still watches the likes of Grace Kelly and her glamorous style, they’re now followed by younger, trendier personalities who often prefer a more sporty approach. Of course, this is a generalization, but it’s one that fits. And this trend is something that Robert Pattinson clearly took into consideration when he decided to don his cape and cowl for the 2017 Halloween season. For those who have been keeping up with his style evolution, this shouldn’t come as a great surprise.
Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar, stylist Emma Fishwick said: “For years, men have largely been restricted to the so-called ‘power dressing’ of suits and polished hairstyles. This trend-setter is a man who not only introduced a more carefree attitude to style, but who also mastered the art of dressing younger.” She added that while previous men’s style icons like James Dean and Marlon Brando are still considered fashion legends, “today, it’s more common to see fashion’s greatest male style influencers playing up, rather than down, their glamorous image.”
A Brave New World Of Influencers
If you’ve been keeping up with the Kardashians, you’ll know that their lives are now fully integrated with social media. As a result, they’ve shifted the way in which they operate and engage with their followers. In the past, the only way to see an influencer’s outfits was to either attend one of their fashion reveals or follow them on social media platforms like Instagram, where they regularly post about style and fashion.
However, with the advent of TikTok, we’re now able to see the influencers’ outfits as they post about their daily lives. This isn’t to say that we see every detail of their outfits, due to the nature of the video format. But it does mean that we get to see a different side of the influencers’ style. One that might otherwise go unnoticed by viewers.
This brings us to another stylistic shift that we’re likely to see more of in the future: gender-fluid fashion. While non-binary individuals have long existed in the fashion world, it’s increasingly acceptable to see traditionally male and female style elements worn together. This is most evident in sportswear, where teams like the Brooklyn Nets have their own in-house style team, Salinger™, tasked with creating custom outfits for the players. Naturally, the majority of these outfits are based on a man-woman hybrid theme.
A Fashion Legend In The Making
If you’ve been keeping up with the fashion world, you’ll know that there’s been a lot of speculation about who will follow in James Dean’s iconic footsteps. While many have claimed that Kanye West is going to be the next style legend, others believe that it could be Robert Pattinson. Not only is he continuing to dress stylishly, but he’s also becoming an increasingly vocal proponent of body positivity, LGBTQ+ rights, and mental health care.
Speaking to The Guardian, stylist Georgina Chapman said: “Kanye is going to be a fantastic style icon – it’s an amazing combination of streetwear and tailoring – but Robert Pattinson is definitely the next big thing. He’s influenced a whole generation of men and women, and continues to inspire people today. His style is youthful, yet classic, unrivalled and unique. He represents what is great about contemporary style.”
Even if you don’t follow fashion, style, or entertainment, you might be familiar with Pattinson’s public face. If you watch the news, you’ll probably know something about his work with the RPA (Robert Pattinson Animal Foundation). This year, he not only appeared in an ad campaign for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), but he also became an ambassador for the organization in the United Kingdom. Naturally, this also raised some ethical concerns for the singer. In the past, he’s been criticized for his involvement with the RPA, as it’s been claimed that the foundation raises money through pet charity events, only to fund its companion animal research program. Furthermore, it’s been alleged that the foundation has helped to finance the experiments of notorious animal rights abuser, Dr. Marc Reichter.
However, it’s important to remember that, while some might think that Pattinson’s fashion statements are outrageous, these are in fact, designed to raise awareness of animal rights issues. Similarly, it’s also worth noting that while he’s influenced a whole generation of men and women, he’s also regularly dressed shirtless, further enhancing his already perfectly sculpted chest. So, while he might not always be “Mr. Prada,” he’s always been “Mr. Blackwell,” raising awareness and attracting attention wherever he goes.
How Is This Possible?
It might seem like a fairly self-explanatory question, but how is it that a man who was born in 1986 is styling himself as the dark knight from the 1960s? Well, it mostly comes down to the fact that he lives in Britain, where he can fully utilize the country’s superb fashion industry. As a result, he’s been able to access a wealth of vintage clothing, which he styles with modern accessories and makeup. Additionally, the fact that he chooses to be more discreet about his private life means that he’s been able to keep more of his personal style options and preferences.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, stylist Alice Temperley said: “I’m not surprised that he’s followed in James Dean’s footsteps, as he’s been dressing fantastically since day one. He always had a unique sense of style, and I guess now more people are starting to recognize that. But he’s also created his own unique style that hasn’t come from a single movie or album. It comes from a combination of many different things, and that’s what makes it so special. It’s like a style melange, which can be a bit spicy but also a bit sweet at the same time. You can’t really put your finger on what it is, but you know it when you see it.”
It’s clear that, while many of his fans still prefer to dress up as Bella Swan, it’s not because they want to copy her off the silver screen. Instead, it’s because they believe that he shares a spiritual connection to the quirky redhead. And it seems that, while many of his fans might want to emulate his fashion choices, they also want to be like him more than anything else.