Movie Monday: Ryan Gosling’s Jacket in DRIVE.

Movie Monday is a new feature on Good Clobber. Street level fashion is so often influenced by the world of film and television that it’s very much worth commenting on here. So, every Monday I’m going to cover a little bit of fashion or clothing from the silver screen (and sometimes the small screen too).

DRIVE is due to be released in the UK on Friday 23rd September (that’s this week!) from Icon Film Distribution and it’s getting a lot of hype. Notable UK film magazine Little White Lies dedicated a issue to DRIVE and I know a few people who have already seen the film; reactions for which have been very good.

The trailer is immensely cool (check it out at the bottom) and it looks as if the film oozes style. The main point of attraction for this blog is Ryan Reynold’s jacket.

Burnished and gleaming, the jacket looks to be silver or gold in many of the press images but I think it’s actually white satin. It’s got a classic sports-jacket shape with elasticated cuffs and waist.

It’s not too far off a Harrington Jacket, but looks to be quilted. The central zip leads up to a dark collar that folds back on itself. The sleeves meet the body of the jacket in what’s called a ‘bi-swing back’ or ‘action back’ where a rear insert panel of material is folded to allow more movement in the shoulder area. How appropriate for a character in an action film who, I imagine, will be vigorously turning a steering wheel under high pressure.

Director Nicholas Winding Refn commented in an interview with IFC.com that the jacket is a bespoke creation, chosen by Gosling and designed to stand out:

“I wanted [Gosling] to wear a white satin jacket that would illuminate him at night. Good actors find their own costumes, so Ryan found a type of jacket that he really liked. And then we had that type of jacket made in satin. And then on top of that we incorporated the scorpion logo on the back.”

There’s a great review of the film from the attire-interested film blog Clothes on Film that you should read here, in which a really intriguing observation is made: “A man of few words, Gosling speaks through movement: his walk is gliding, his profile aquiline, and his dress sense is pimped up. In short, he pretty much is a car.”

I asked a friend, who has seen the film, to give me a couple of words on what they thought. The excited response is testament to how worth-while DRIVE is:

“After the opening credits you’ll have decided that it’s already one of the coolest films that you’ve seen for a long time. Slow-motion shots, lingering fades and 80’s throwback music provide the backdrop for extreme violence, which together give the film an electricity that will leave your nerves tingling and your heart beat pounding. It’s by no means perfect, but by the end you’re not really sure if you care.”

Check out the trailer below.

There are actually two other jackets worn in the film by Gosling; a classic Levi’s denim jacket and another sports jacket, this time in grey. They look equally brilliant. Our praise goes to the people behind the costumes for DRIVE; they really know what they’re doing.

Thanks to Icon and the below for the images.

Dallas Observer, Film Jackets (and Just Jared), Socialite Life, BuzzFeed, Beyond Hollywood and HeyUGuys and Clothes on Film.

BBC Radio 4 this morning told me that it was going to rain everywhere in the UK today. That may well have been an exaggeration, but it certainly rained cats and dogs in the south.

During this muggy and damp period of early summer, rain macs are a good idea: Easy to carry in the sunshine, stopping the soggy in the rain.

Ben Sherman Classics, the higher, more bespoke end of the British brand have recently produced these smashing pair of rain macs, perfect for inclement weather.

Cut to a slim fit, detail for these macs include tattersall check lining, Corozo nut buttons, belted cuffs and a storm closure at the neck.

Very nice, but they are a little pricey. If you’re feeling flush these boys will set you back £175 each.

I don’t think you can get these from the Ben Sherman shops, so you’ll have to go to somewhere more boutique. Here’s a list of stockists for you.

Thanks to Ben Sherman Classics.

Last week Ben Sherman were kind enough to show me around their Carnaby Street shop to preview the Spring collection for this year. They’ve got some really nice, bright clothing for the forthcoming warmer months, so let’s take a look at what’s in store…

In this collection Ben Sherman are looking back and embracing their heritage as well as achieving something new. The press release informs me that the coated fabrics, compact twills and purposeful details in the line are designed with memories of camping trips and outdoor pursuits in mind. However, the classic, smart and sharp themes that Sherman is famous for haven’t been forgotten - there’s still plenty of clean cuts included in the designs.

Alongside the modern, mountaineering stuff, there’s still plenty for the Mod scene. Many of the shirts have lovely button-down collars (a hallmark of Ben Sherman), a whole range of polo shirts with collar and cuff trimming, several different Harrington Jackets, with nice interior check and many of the coats and jackets feature a subtle RAF roundel on the inside pocket.

Lots of nice polos with trimming. They also have a dark polo with alternative trimming; sleeves one colour, collar another.

There’s loads of nice shoes in the collection. Check out the colourful desert boots. You’d need to be brave to pull off the orange, aquamarine and yellow, but done right, it could look great. Also, some of the low cut shoes have a nice wooden / plastic sole as opposed to a crepe sole, which means better grip on wet pavements.

As well as the new spring clobber, there’s still a lot of accessories offer too. A few Union Jack pieces here. Check out our feature on the Union Jack in Fashion for more Ben Sherman goodies.

Downstairs in the shop there’s a lot of nice paisley patterned shirts and ties, along with a great range of suits.

Head down to the shop in Carnaby Street if you want to see all this in real life - here.

Or, if you’re in the UK, you can currently find Ben Sherman’s collection online at ASOS unit their site is rebuilt. If you’re outside the UK, check out their site.

Thanks to Ben Sherman for the images.