Film and television have long shaped how we think about style. A well-dressed character can introduce new audiences to classic tailoring, revive forgotten trends, or redefine what modern elegance looks like. Today, we take a closer look at some of the best dressed characters on-screen.
Published at: Mar 13, 2026
Kristoffer Lund
The British secret agent with a license to kill and a wardrobe just as lethal. Few characters have sparked as many style driven scavenger hunts as James Bond. From razor sharp suits to thoughtfully composed casual looks, his outfits have been studied, copied, and debated for decades. I could easily dedicate an entire article to Bond alone, but here I will highlight a few personal favorites.
Since his first appearance on screen in 1962, Bond has been portrayed by several actors across very different style eras. Each iteration brought its own interpretation of the character’s wardrobe, some more memorable than others. One thing, however, has remained constant. James Bond wears suits, and he wears them well - even though they do tend to get slimmer with each film.
Roger Moore sporting a turtle neck in Live and Let Die from 1973
Sean Connery in a plaid three-piece suit in Goldfinger from 1964
Daniel Craig wearing a Barbour oilskin jacket in Skyfall - 2012
Roger Moore in a navy DB blazer with light trousers in For Your Eyes Only from 1981
Daniel Craig in a casual beige suit from Massimo Alba in No Time To Die from 2021
Sean Connery in a white dinner jacket in Goldfinger from 1964
The iconic TV series Peaky Blinders created a wave of men getting into 1920s’ heavy tweed suits and flat caps. The series follows the gangster family Shelby, where all the family members has their own personal take on the style. The family’s leader, Tommy, is the character that oozes discipline, confidence and power. His outfits are sharp, with structured suits in muted color palettes.
One of the details I really like is that Tommy Shelby wears detachable collars. As a nod to his working class past, where the detachable collar was considered practical and economic, he keeps wearing this even after raising a tremendous wealth gaining a high societal status.
The series features a lot of familiar faces for short time roles, like Adrien Brody, Tom Hardy, Aidan Gillen and Sam Neill - all bringing a personalized style inspired by their heritage and societal status.
After gaining a lot of popularity in the UK, tailoring houses reported a big increase in sales of three-piece tweed suits, especially with a big increase with the younger customer segment now opening their eyes to heritage materials. A keen eye might appreciate the authenticity and attention to details, as the costume department decided to source out real vintage pieces, like pocket watches, ties and caps.
The TV series Suits follows the renowned New York corporate lawyer Harvey Specter, played by Gabriel Macht, who takes on a trouble-maker apprentice who hasn’t finished law school yet. The show is quick to highlight how important it is for Harvey to dress well, as his first instruction to his apprentice is to go to his tailor and get a new suit.
Harvey Specter’s style is of the real American power suit essence, featuring wide peak lapels, structured shoulders and a wide tie knot. The suits are custom Tom Ford (according to the show itself), quite slim and always in a muted, professional color.
An excellent example to how your lapels can increase or decrease your authority - here illustrated by his apprentice wearing slim lapels as well as a slim tie. There is no question who is in charge here.
The slim fit power suit style might not have aged as well if we look at today’s wish to go back to more comfortable and roomier suits, but it’s hard to argue that Harvey Specter doesn’t project confidence and power in this series. Personally I’m also not a fan of the extra wide tie knot - it takes too much attention and will often look disproportionate.
The TV series Mad Men follows Don Draper (played by Jon Hamm), the charismatic creative director of a fictional Manhattan advertising agency in the 1960s. Draper represents the classic image of the mid century American businessman. At the office, he relies on muted, tailored suits in shades of grey, navy, and brown, paired with crisp white shirts with French cuffs and slim silk ties. The look is simple, disciplined, and incredibly effective.
Outside the office, Draper’s style becomes more relaxed and arguably even more interesting. Knit polos, lightweight sweaters, casual jackets, and tailored trousers appear frequently throughout the series. These off duty outfits are a great source of inspiration for anyone looking to elevate their casual wardrobe without overcomplicating it.
The series costume department did an excellent job making sure each character had their very unique set of fashion sense
The Kingsman series tells a story not entirely unlike Suits, though in a very different line of work. Harry Hart is a senior agent in a private intelligence service where being well dressed, well mannered, and respected is part of the job description. When he takes on the young Eggsy as his protégé, one of the first lessons is how a proper Kingsman should present himself.
The Kingsman series tells a story not entirely unlike Suits, though in a very different line of work. Harry Hart is a senior agent in a private intelligence service where being well dressed, well mannered, and respected is part of the job description. When he takes on the young Eggsy as his protégé, one of the first lessons is how a proper Kingsman should present himself.
Footwear follows strict rules as well. Black Oxfords only, a detail that becomes a memorable line in the film.
“Oxfords, not brogues.”
- Harry Hart
Hart’s clothing never feels decorative or incidental. It is part of the character’s identity. The precision of his tailoring reflects discipline, intelligence, and control, all combined with a quiet sense of authority.
I wanted to include Kendall Roy as an honorable mention because of how the show Succession brought attention to the fact that extremely expensive clothing does not need to look expensive. Kendall’s wardrobe avoids logos and flashy details. Instead it relies on premium fabrics, minimal branding, and muted colors. It’s a modern corporate “quiet luxury”.
His wardrobe stays within a muted color palette: navy, charcoal, black, olive, beige. This is actually a good trick to keep your outfits looking intentional and cohesive.
Unlike the other character mentioned here, Kendall doesn’t live in a suit. He opts for high quality sweaters, cashmere zip knits, minimal sneakers and technical outwear. The garments are simple but extremely well made.
Film and television will likely continue shaping menswear for years to come, and it’s a great way to seek out inspiration. A well-dressed character can introduce new audiences to classic tailoring, revive forgotten styles, or redefine what modern elegance looks like. Whether it is the timeless discipline of Don Draper or the understated luxury of Kendall Roy, these characters remind us that great style often starts with strong character.
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