How to wear all white and look like Steve McQueen
From the perfect white t-shirts to a wardrobe full of bright, light trousers...
Usually, when we discuss the ‘shades’ of Steve McQueen, we’re talking about his iconic Persol sunglasses. But there was more to the famed actor’s signature style than a pair of frames. From three-piece suits to denim jeans (or ‘Steve McQueens’, as they’re rightfully known as, in rhyming slang), the King of Cool blazed a trail for hard-wearing, no-frills fashion.
And, whether he was wearing swim shorts or racing suits, showing off the cuffs of his sweatshirts or the soles of his sneakers, he did so mostly in one simple shade: white. Why McQueen felt such an affinity for the light, bright tone, we’ll never know, especially as it’s a tricky look to pull off. But if you’re looking to change up your threads and evoke this one-tone ensemble, especially with sunnier days ahead, who better to school us than the man himself?
Begin by mastering the notoriously tricky white trousers
Few men can pull off bright white trousers. And yet McQueen — a man famously slathered in motor oil half the time — managed to maintain several pristine pairs. How? Easy. He had different white trousers for multiple occasions.
First up were his jeans, something slim cut and durable, like Loro Piana’s hard-wearing, fresh-looking option. Next, his chinos, which you can try and evoke with Orlebar Brown. The British brand’s spin on the style, with its nickel-effect adjustable side fasteners and tailor-fit stretch, is the ideal off-duty item in which to skim through your own copy of Motor Racing at the weekend. And, finally, for a touch of formality (we’ve all got movie premieres to attend now and then), you won’t find a trimmer, slimmer pair than Mr Marvis’s Wimbledons.
Use a plain white t-shirt to form the foundation of any look
Like James Dean and Marlon Brando, McQueen mastered the insouciant cool of the plain white t-shirt. In fact, the actor went one step further, by managing to make logo tees, from motor manufacturers, look inexplicably elegant. You likely don’t race at Sebring during your downtime, so we’d suggest steering clear of shirts such as McQueen’s Triumph design, as seen above.
Instead, stick to the basics. Sunspel’s 100% Supima cotton option is lightweight and lustrous to the touch. Just as high quality is this other unembellished design, courtesy of Uniform Standard, whose slightly roomier fit is perfect for long, sunny afternoons with your arms outstretched to a pair of handlebars. And, from L’Estrange, The Tailored Tee features a back pleat and split sides for ease of movement.
Take your sweatshirt-styling cues from the laid-back actor
Being a loungewear essential, it’s no surprise that many of McQueen’s favourite at-ease looks featured a sweatshirt. And, as with the rest of the actor’s white-skewed wardrobe, he preferred these practical pieces in a lighter hue.
Though aimed for the masses, wearing a sweatshirt doesn’t mean sacrificing on luxury, as Purdey’s supple ribbed cotton creation will attest to. And, even if such an item has connotations related to relaxed, off-duty style, that also doesn’t mean that craftsmanship should be compromised; Sunspel has dispelled any notion of this with its loopback sweatshirt that features a fleece-like feel, deep-rib hem and cuffs with contrast stitching. For those spring days when the weather takes a turn for the worse, look to this fisherman-style jumper, by Aubin, whose cable stitch is knitted from British wool.
Lace up a pair of staple sneakers
McQueen’s choice of footwear continues to influence fashion to this day. His Sanders & Sanders chukka boots, in particular, have been ripped-off and replicated by myriad brands, many of whom attempt to lace up some of that signature leading-man charm. But it’s the actor’s sneakers, in all their pristine glory, we’re most taken by.
Simple, stripped back and with a practical low-top construction, McQueen’s kicks were no-nonsense sneakers. And, thanks to this restraint, they’ve become timeless. It’s an effective approach worked to similar success with Aurélien’s Cambridge sneakers. Uniform Standard has added a touch of texture with suede detailing, meanwhile Axel Arigato’s Clean 90 creations have a chunky sole, and gold lettering for a subtle hit of colour.
Looking for more style icon inspiration? From Mr. Blonde to Rick Dalton, these are the best-dressed Quentin Tarantino characters…
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