Perhaps the most visually memorable director around, Wes Anderson films are as much about color, style, and flair as they are about eccentric characters (usually Bill Murray) delivering stilted dialogue and staring off into sun-dappled distances; with every frame a beautiful little composition that could be hung on a hipster's exposed brick wall.
Naturally, for a man with such talent for aesthetic, the outfits in Anderson's films are often as striking as the surroundings they inhabit, with old-school, avant-garde menswear an unwavering staple in every feature.
With Anderson's next film, The Isle of Dogs, recently confirmed to be arriving in the not-too-distant future, we thought we'd run a fine-tooth comb through his best-dressed leading men.
The Narrator (Bob Balaban), Moonrise Kingdom
Key piece: Red parka
The nameless voice behind Anderson's charming coming-of-age adventure, our narrator is a staunch believer in fashionable workwear, occupying a look that is one part New England outdoorsman and another part OG Brooklyn Barista.
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Richie Tenenbaum (Luke Wilson), The Royal Tenenbaums
Key piece: Fila sportswear
A good decade-and-a-half before Gosha Rubichinsky turned faltering sportswear brands into streetwear's hottest collaborations, Luke Wilson's portrayal of the preternaturally talented and emotionally fragile Richie Tenenbaum was doing wonders for Fila's public image, rocking the label's retro striped polos and sweatbands throughout the film—even under camel suits.
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Alistair Hennessey (Jeff Goldblum), The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
Key piece: 'Millennial Pink' scarf
With a name as lavish as his all-white wardrobe, Jeff Goldlum embodies the role of a ship-lounging agitator who relishes each and every opportunity to make Bill Murray bristle.
He was way ahead of the curve when it came the whole millennial pink thing, too.
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Mr. Fox (George Clooney), The Fantastic Mr. Fox
Key piece: Double-breasted corduroy blazer
Yes, he is a fox, but how many foxes do you know that can pull-off seasonal tailoring in thick corduroy?
Exactly.
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M. Gustave (Ralph Fiennes), The Grand Budapest Hotel
Key piece: Purple velvet dinner jacket
The manic heartbeat to Anderson's most-entertaining film, Ralph Fiennes would have been a deserved Oscar winner as M.Gustave, The Grand Budapest Hotel's captivating head concierge.
But he didn't win an Oscar, so he'll just have to console himself with looking unreasonably sharp in a wide-lapeled blazer in luxe purple velvet.
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Peter Whitman (Adrian Brody), The Darjeeling Limited
Key piece: custom Louis Vuitton suitcase
While Brody's pan-Indian attire of a light gray suit, white shirt, and tan belt is enough to make our list on its own merit, where Peter Whitman's style really excels is with the custom, monogrammed Louis Vuitton luggage that he carries throughout.
Practical? Absolutely not, but that almost adds to the allure.
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Klaus Daimler (Willem Dafoe), The Life Aquatic with Steve Zizzou
Key piece: The orange beanie
If you thought that Bill Murray as the titular Steve of The Life Aquatic was the film's premiere orange beanie wearer, then you thought wrong; it's all about Willem Dafoe and his German sportswear-inspired ensemble of blue windbreaker, aviators, Adidas high-tops, and higher cheekbones.
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Raleigh St. Clair (Bill Murray), The Royal Tenenbaums
Key piece: Dat turtleneck
Here he is, Bill Murray, the Big Kahuna, Papi Murray—the one you've been waiting for. We could have chosen his turn as Mr. Blume; we could have gone for Steve Zizzou, but no, when it comes to picking the most stylish role of Anderson's favorite muse it has to be Raleigh St. Clair, the odd-ball neurologist with a penchant for autumnal colors, turtleneck, and morally questionable test subjects.
Although he does suit that orange beanie, too.
This story originally appeared on Esquire.co.uk.
* Minor edits have been made by the Esquiremag.ph editors.
