Brad Pitt Styles Guide : Brad Pitt’s 1980s and 1990s Style Tips

Brad Pitt, who fronts British Teeanime’s July 2022 cover, is the only A-list Hollywood actor who has fully demonstrated that style has no age limit. Just look at his recent wardrobe: as the star of Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time… He’s encouraged us all in Hollywood to wear Hawaiian shirts, denim jackets, and cowboy boots (even if we don’t have a 1960s Cadillac coupé to go with them). Meanwhile, he’s been dishing out a grunge game (plaid shirts and tattered trousers) on par with the late Kurt Cobain.

But Brad Pitt began accumulating style points a long time ago, notably in the 1990s, the oh-so retro, oh-so iconic era in which he soared to popularity on screen. So we’ve gone back to that pivotal decade (with a few of late-’80s ‘fits thrown in for good measure) and prepared a list of 10 of his best style lessons. We’ll take any excuse for a fashion flashback, especially one this nice…

1. You need a double-breasted suit…

When: 1991

Why: We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: you need a DB suit. Brad Pitt in 1991 is one of the best examples of this. His finishing touch was a floral printed tie, which he paired with a boxy, louche fit and large notch lapels (bonus points).

2. …And a (long) leather coat

When: 1997

Why: We love a good old worn motorcycle jacket just as much as the next guy, but Brad Pitt is arguing for another layer of leather here: a long, single-breasted overcoat. This was serious Matrix styling (before The Matrix ever existed), a little more formal but with a touch of insouciance (see that slightly unbuttoned shirt for proof).

3. Layer your white essentials

When: 1998

Why: Isn’t this the most essential component in any man’s wardrobe? A simple white T-shirt. However, winter is approaching, the temperatures are falling, and our go-to necessity is no longer the most practical item to wear. What is the key to staying warm? Layer it over a white vest like Brad Pitt, then add a jumper and denim jacket on top.

4. Subtle double denim is the way forward

When: 1991

Why: We’ll always love double denim, but for a more subtle version, follow in the footsteps of Brad Pitt and layer it with some simpler items. A white T-shirt underneath, a boxy brown coat on top, suede Western boots, and some round sunglasses would suffice. Top marks for laid-back coolness.

5. Suede is the ingredient for easy elegance

When: 1993

Why: We could go on and on about Brad Pitt’s lengthier locks (how does he pull off every grooming move? ), but we’ll stick to the suede styling. His brown suede waistcoat, worn with a long-sleeved white shirt and grey pleated trousers, completes this combination of modest tailoring with a hint to Western attire. The end result? A big hello to simple elegance.

6. Micro shades for the win

Year: 1999

Why: Name a more recognizable 1990s hue, and Brad Pitt will wait. The premiere of The Matrix in 1999 generated a lot of buzz, thanks in part to Keanu Reeves’ legendary character and in part to his exceedingly unique attire. Those tiny sunglasses became the item of the year, and the resurrection item of the decade, courtesy to guys like Brad Pitt who pulled them off with aplomb. For maximum impact, pair them with a slick black suit and shirt (collar pulled out).

7. The open collar still looks sharp

When: 1997

Why: How do you demonstrate formalwear knowledge without appearing to be overly concerned? Wear a sleek grey suit and a pastel yellow shirt like Brad Pitt did in 1997. Unbutton your shirt and pull the collar out over the lapels of your jacket for a true 90s homage. Sure, it has a lot of style energy, but it still gets the appropriate type of attention today. Especially if the grounding boots are made of leather.

8. The humble vest is in

When: 1988

Why: You may not have the weaponry to compete with Brad Pitt, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t wear a vest. The vest is in, whether you go peak Pitt or emulate how vests were worn under suits in Tom Ford and Giorgio Armani’s Spring/Summer 2021 designs.

9. The bigger the ‘fit, the better

When: 1988

Why: While Justin Bieber is currently advocating the huge, baggy ‘fit, Brad Pitt was the master before him. Consider this ensemble, which consists of an oversized worn-in leather bomber jacket and loose-fitting cotton pants that have been brought in at the waist with a belt for an optimal balloon-esque aesthetic.

10. Invest in a power tie

When: 1992

Why: No, Pitt did not work on Wall Street before becoming a household name; he wore this to the 1992 7th Annual IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards. The finishing touch of a power tie identical to those worn by George Clooney and Patrick Bateman in American Psycho guaranteed his ‘fit a position on this list.