7 Of The Most Stylish Men You've (Probably) Never Heard Of

Red carpet events are predictable affairs – and we don’t just mean the tailoring. Browse any major event coverage online and most of the ‘best dressed’ slideshows you click through tend to throw up the same familiar faces: Hollywood actors styled in luxury labels and chart-topping musicians paying their dues to the brand paying their rent.

But what about the men who – although not front-page news – are every bit as fashionable? Here, we introduce seven of the most stylish, and their styling tricks worth tapping:

Alan Ferguson

Alan Ferguson is a music video director whose fame was relatively confined to music circles until late 2014 – when he married Solange Knowles.

After rubbing shoulders with ‘Yoncé at what was arguably the most hipster wedding of all time, Ferguson proved himself a worthy style icon, thanks to his distinctive blend of heritage style and sleek minimalism. A glove-fit two-piece might read traditional, but Ferguson rejigs it slightly – adding in an oatmeal leather trench coat, or in the case of his all-white wedding suit, a pair of gold toecap shoes. Subtle enough to wear, but bold enough to sing.

Anderson .Paak

The understudy of ex-N.W.A member and billionaire headphone peddler Dr. Dre, Anderson .Paak (real name: Brandon Paak Anderson), is a walking, talking example of when the student becomes the master.

Hip-hop’s most exciting rising star is more than just a multi-talented singer-songwriter-instrumentalist. The 30-year-old has a style as distinctive and free-spirited as his original stage name: Breezy Lovejoy (no judging). Part grunge, part hipster, he looks just at home suited up or streetwear-ed out.

Simon Porte Jacquemus

Paris-based designer Jacquemus might be best known for his NSFW fashions, but it’s his knack for reinventing French classics like the Breton stripe that’s earned him his.

As headline-grabbing as his womenswear designs are, though, it’s his personal style that we think deserves some spotlighting. Like his work, this man’s wardrobe is mostly timeless pieces given a remix – jeans and an asymmetric gingham shirt or an unstructured navy suit styled with black Chelsea boots and a red neckerchief. Bon travail.

Eric Rutherford

Eric Rutherford spends most of his time in the buff. But on the odd occasion he does actually get dressed, he’s really quite good at it.

The actor/model/instaceleb has amassed a global following thanks in no small part to his razor sharp wardrobe, most of which involves well-crafted transitional staples. The remainder? Statement pieces that toe the line between trend and novelty, like a bold checked blazer or a bright suit – always masterfully anchored with muted staples.

Matthew Healy

When Matthew ‘Matty’ Healy opens his mouth, it’s not just million-selling No 1 hits that come out. The shaggy-haired frontman of eclectic Brit band The 1975 is more than comfortable engaging in a tête-à-tête on his favourite designers and their latest collections.

As a result, his look is in the vanguard of edgy, vibrant rock ‘n’ roll style, with effortlessly cool, often all-black, outfits comprising Saint Laurent (of course), Dries Van Noten and J.W. Anderson.

Roberto Raro

We can all identify a Pitti peacock, but rarely can we actually name one. Which is why Roberto Raro, in all his suited glory, gives a face to the anonymous gaggle.

As director of several menswear stores in the Middle East, Mr Raro encapsulates the sort of bird that nests in Florence for January; the primary colours, the pinstripes, the razor-sharp tailoring. But despite the excess, Raro still pulls it off with that essential Italian ingredient: sprezzatura.

Vincent Cassel

If Vincent Cassel’s name sounds familiar, it might be because he’s had starring roles in two of the Ocean’s Trilogy films. Or, and perhaps more likely, you still can’t quite get over the fact that it was him, not you, that got to spend four glorious years married to Monica Bellucci.

But Cassel can teach you more than how to woo cinema’s greatest beauties; he knows how to, er, nail smart-casual too. His go-to? A good shirt – a versatile piece he spruces up with a suit in a complementary shade or plays down with a contrasting blazer, relaxed trousers and sneaker-loafers. Parisian insouciance at its best.

Credit: FashionBeans

10 Of The Most Versatile Men's Bag

The key to buying a good bag is knowing exactly what you want it to do in the first place. Need something to get your laptop to meetings in one piece? You’ll need a leather briefcase. Need something to cart your sweat gym gear home? A nylon or cotton barrel bag’s your best bet.

But what if you want your bag to do more? What if – having discovered that neon camo drawstring bag isn’t exactly what you’d call a ‘hit’ at boardroom meetings – you need a bag that works everywhere? Or at least for more than just stowing a pair of swimshorts in?

To save you dropping wads on bags that won’t pull their weight, we rounded up some of the best styles to take you from work to workout and more.

Mi-Pac Classic Backpack

A backpack isn’t just for high school – it’s for life. Especially if you’d rather not spend a chunk of yours hunched over in a chiropractor’s waiting room.

This one, from British brand Mi-Pac, comes in brown and navy, AKA the ultimate smart-casual colour combo. Wear it to the office (yes, it’s got a dedicated laptop compartment), or for a weekend getaway.

Available at Mi-Pac

Ralph Lauren Polo Sport Nylon Duffle Bag

Versatile needn’t mean black or brown leather. This dome-shaped duffle, made from durable nylon, makes perfect sense if your style skews more athleisure than actuary. Plus, bonus points for its bang-on-trend quilting.

Available at Ralph Lauren

Harvest Label Brick Urban Sling Pack

Like those cross body bags you’ve seen every grime fan sporting, but want something that reads less ‘roadman’? Check this ‘sling pack’ from Japanese brand Harvest Label – a smart blend of everything’s that good about a messenger, backpack and cross body rolled into one.

With three interior pockets in addition to its three zipped main zipped compartments, it’s got plenty of stashing space.

Available at Urban Outfitters

R.M. Williams RMW City Medium Overnight Bag

With almost a century’s experience in built-to-last footwear, Australian brand R.M. Williams has set its sights on the leather accessories market, launching a collection that combines tough-as-nails construction with a luxury finish.

This overnighter – crafted from pebbled cowhide leather, and featuring a contrast suede lining – is a stand-out. Subtle, sturdy and supremely finished, it’ll take you pretty much everywhere in style.

Available at R.M.Williams

Graf Lantz 1951 Carrier

LA duo Graf Lantz’s extra-large tote lets you carry a lot in its roomy 15″W x 17″H x 6″D interior, including a little piece of history: the bag itself is made from rare 6″ military webbing that dates all the way back to 27 February, 1951.

Available at Graf Lantz

ASOS Barrel Bag

More than just somewhere to chuck your trainers, a low-profile barrel bag – like this one from ASOS – makes a solid, sportier alternative to the classic leather holdall.

Available at ASOS

Want Les Essentiels Kastrup Backpack

Constructed using premium leather and breathable mesh, American brand Want Les Essentiels de la Vie’s backpack can take a beating.

Not that the Kastrup looks rough – in fact its bias-cut front pocket and subtle stitched leather logo give its utilitarian shape a sleek and sophisticated edge that makes it ideal for wearing with smarter looks.

Available at Want Les Essentiels

Cambridge Satchel Company Classic Batchel

Gimmicky portmanteau names aside, the Cambridge Satchel Company’s batchel is an all-time classic.

Handmade in Britain, it’s got all the hallmarks of a bag that’s built to last – from its goes-with-everything deep damson colour to a 100 per cent leather and brass construction.

Available at Cambridge Satchel

Ted Baker Small Clipper Holdall

Not every business trip needs a roller bag. Ted Baker’s Clipper holdall combines travel-friendly capacity with a design that’s every inch the suited professional – from its leather-style handles to a fabric body that takes its cue from the brand’s tailoring collection.

What’s more, its convenient size and comfortable double top handles mean you won’t feel like you’re carting a cadaver around.

Available at Harvey Nichols

Nudie Jeans Mattsson Patched Denim Tote

Swedish jeans authority Nudie knows denim doesn’t just mean trousers. Alongside its ever-expanding roster of skinny, slim and straight-leg fits, you’ll find pieces like this 100 per cent organic denim bag too.

Quite possibly menswear’s toughest tote.

Available at Nudie Jeans

Credit: Cillian O'Connor

A Brief History of Men’s Style - 1960s: Rebellion & Individuality

1960s: Rebellion & Individuality

The 1960s were a decade of unrest and rebellion against the establishment and the conservatism that was celebrated in the 1950s. Clothing reflected this new attitude, especially with the youth who were more concerned with self-expression and individuality than classical dressing by the “rulebook”. The clothing industry caught on to this new wave with the youth, and offered a plethora of styles. Stores carried more variety than ever. It was approaching an “anything goes” period, where often the thing that mattered the most was not what you wore, but what you didn’t wear. 

The was also the first time that fathers began looking to their sons for advice. The first time in history that grown men wanted to look young and care-free. This trend, of course, only took us further away from the rules of elegance that were established in the 1930s.

credit: Dan Trepanier

A Brief History of Men’s Style - 1940s: The Birth of Ready-to-Wear

1940s: The Birth of Ready-to-Wear

With the end of World War II, American men strayed from the high standards and basic principles of fine dress established in the thirties. Part of this was changes in the workforce and the loss of formality in everyday life. With lower demand, the price of custom tailoring rose, which allowed for the mass production of menswear to takeover as the everyday norm. This period saw the introduction of mass produced ready-to-wear clothing in America, by some brands that are still selling us clothing today.

There were positives and negatives to these new methods of mass production. On the one hand, basic clothing was cheaper and more accessible than ever. On the other hand, there was less variety in the styles being offered, and, much worse, these major clothing manufacturers realized (just like the automobile manufacturers) that they could stimulate sales by offering changes in styles every year, or even every season. This began the “trend cycle” in retail, which was created by clothing manufacturers to make more money and propagated by the magazine industry, also to make more money. 

Ultimately this marketing strategy pushed the consumer further and further away from the “ideals of classical dress” established in the 1930s, which were all about choosing long-term pieces that best flatter the body. Instead the goal of clothiers became to confuse and pressure the consumer to continually “re-invent himself” by purchasing “new styles” that are “in fashion”. More sales, regardless of the longevity or aesthetic of the look.

credit: Dan Trepanier