The 50 best-dressed men of 2020

The 50 best-dressed men of 2020

From Skepta to David Beckham, these are the men who are getting it right

Being a Best-Dressed Man in 2020 means more than it did five years ago – a hell of a lot more. Not only do men tend to be better dressed now than ever before, but more and more of them – you, actually – are prone to dressing up in public. Men don’t hide themselves under bushels any more, and while it would be unfair to say we now live in a world of peacocks, men these days dress to be noticed.

Which makes the GQ Best-Dressed list – the only one of its kind anywhere in the world – more important, more relevant and more pertinent than ever before. And while we have been fairly prescriptive in making this list, we have taken the soundings of those experts we hold dear and whose opinion on these matters we find compelling. The GQ list is finite and judgemental and if you’re a boldface man and you’re not on it, then shame on you.

Of course there is always next year, but I would imagine that the competition is going to be even fiercer in 2021. So if you’re not on the list (and if you’re not, then please don’t darken our door until you’ve scrubbed up a bit), then you’ll have to make do with reading what the truly stylish have been up to this year, how they’ve conquered the red carpet, taken ownership of social media and generally taken control of the sartorial landscape.

Enjoy, if you can bear it.

Dylan Jones

Editor-In-Chief

• Matt Baron/Shutterstock1/50
  
  Frank Ocean

  Musician (NEW ENTRY)Frank Ocean’s Met Gala outfit, consisting of a Prada cagoule, white shirt, black tie and black slacks, was shocking because it was so… normal. Boring, even. It cut through the sea of camp outfits (which was the dress code, FYI) and somehow ended up coming off even camper than, say, Katy Perry in a chandelier. A maverick in the true sense of the word.

  Elgar Johnson, Deputy Editor, GQ Style:“Frank Ocean is the epitome of understated cool. He has his own mind and isn’t influenced by anyone but himself. He is a true artist who has mastered the art of selecting key pieces that work with his attitude, so he is always in control.”

• HBO2/50
  
  Kendall Roy

  ‘Media Executive’ (NEW ENTRY)In a world where bots are programmed to instantaneously buy the latest Yeezys so they can be shown off on Instagram and then flipped on StockX, actual rich people, such as Kendall Roy, fictional star of HBO’s barnstorming Succession (played by Jeremy Strong), numbly spend thousands on anonymous cashmere jumpers and gilets from brands that espouse ethical corporate policies. The irony of having a social conscience but also being so prohibitively expensive that only the likes of Kendall Roy can buy them makes you want to scream at the pointless vagaries of capitalism, which is exactly what Succession does. The power gilet might keep your body warm, but the heart will remain cold. Ice cold.

  Stuart McGurk, Associate Editor, GQ: “Kendall Roy is the best-dressed person in Succession partly because you never suspect he should be. One minute he’ll be in a well-tailored but humdrum suit with built-in puffer gilet, but just when you least suspect it, bam, a chocolate-brown satin tuxedo… As his father found, never underestimate Kendall.”

• Claudio Lavenia3/50
  
  Ben Cobb

  Editor (LAST YEAR No38)Who’d have thought dressing like a Seventies hustler, complete with handlebar moustache, would set social media ablaze? But when it’s done with so much sex appeal and swagger how could you ever deny it? Cobb’s turn as a fictional chat-show host to interview Rami Malek was one of the year’s most memorable fashion moments.

  Katie Grand, editor-in-chief, Love: “Cobb is a Seventies porn star sex god and he’s very easy on the eye.”

• Edward Berthelot4/50
  
  Charlie Heaton

  Actor (NEW ENTRY)You can’t really talk about Stranger Things star Charlie Heaton without mentioning his girlfriend and costar, Natalia Dyer. Together this couple somehow manage to out-French the French when it comes to Parisian chic. Whether it’s the art deco glamour of their red-carpet ensembles or all-black beatnik cool, these two are always in fashion (but Charlie leads the way, in our opinion).

  Raven Smith, cultural commentator: “Heaton dresses like Harry Styles if Harry Styles were reading English at Cambridge. He wields pattern ambidextrously, like a samurai with a sword. It’s always arresting but never slips into asbo.”

• Jamie McCarthy5/50
  
  Ashton Sanders

  Actor (NEW ENTRY)We know Ashton Sanders primarily for his breakthrough role in Moonlight – the Oscar-winning film about the struggles of a young gay black man in Miami. Whether it’s the hottest streetwear looks from Fear Of God and Off-White worn with Dr Martens or luxury tailoring from Louis Vuitton and Rick Owens, he wears everything with a signature grace, soul and sensitivity.

  Damien Paul, head of menswear, matchesfashion.com: “I think Ashton has a unique sense of style that feels totally authentic. He brings the natural energy we’ve seen in his performances to how he wears clothes – and it works.”

• Meinke Klein6/50
  
  Josh O’Connor

  Actor (NEW ENTRY)If he isn’t already, Josh O’Connor will soon become a household name due to his role as a young Prince Charles in the third series of Netflix sensation The Crown. This’ll not only give us a chance to revisit Charles’ amazing Seventies style, but also check out Josh O’Connor’s IRL looks as brand ambassador for Loewe.

  Jonathan Anderson, creative director, Loewe: “When I saw the 2017 film God’s Own Country I remember coming out of the cinema feeling incredibly affected. I thought Josh’s performance had a genuine strength that felt very pure and had an organic kind of feeling that I really liked. A few months later when we were thinking about a face for Loewe, Josh was someone who came straight to the front of my mind and we announced him as a brand ambassador in December of the same year.”

• Edward Berthelot7/50
  
  David Gandy

  Model (LAST YEAR No34)Amazingly, there was a time at the beginning of his career – when grungy waif-boys were in fashion – that David Gandy had a hard time getting work. Imagine! Thank goodness the tide turned. Today, in addition to being Britain’s most famous male model, he has a statesman-like presence as an ambassador of British fashion. He also wears a wide-leg trouser better than anyone we know.

  Timothy Everest, tailor: “I have always admired how David has managed to transition from being a professional model to the vanguard of modern menswear and supporter of British style. Apart from his physical attributes – he’s a natural clothes horse – his self-confidence makes for an effortlessly comfortable approach to whatever he wears.”

• Edward Opi / SplashNews.com8/50
  
  LeBron James

  Sportsman (NEW ENTRY)The fact that basketball’s post-game interviews are watched primarily for the fashion is due in no small part to LeBron James, who will wear a shrunken Thom Browne shorts suit to offer up his analysis. Not since Michael Jordan has a player brought so much style, sophistication and fashion daring to the game.

  Tommy Hilfiger, fashion designer: “LeBron James brings his own sense of effortless style to everything he wears, from sophisticated tailoring to modern streetwear.”

• Jacopo Raule9/50
  
  Richard Madden

  Actor (LAST YEAR No4)The man who will star alongside Angelina Jolie in forthcoming Marvel movie The Eternals has had several notable style moments this year. He won GQ’s Hugo Boss Most Stylish Man award and, in Rocketman, there was his turn as Elton John’s lover in a series of mod-style suits, which gave him an incredibly powerful screen presence.

  Jeremy Langmead, brand and content director, Mr Porter: “Richard has managed to nail his red-carpet appearances over the past 12 months with bespoke Giorgio Armani tuxes and some slick velvet evening jackets. For off-duty, his uniform of suede jacket teamed with T-shirt, black jeans and Chelsea boots has a low-key charm that works equally well on the streets of London and LA. He inhabits an outfit rather than merely wears one.”

• Chris Jackson10/50
  
  HRH The Duke Of Sussex

  Royal (RE-ENTRY)While he was born to wear bespoke suits by Gieves & Hawkes, Prince Harry’s casually elegant ensembles of softly tailored jackets and unbuttoned shirts reveal a kind and gentle soul. His style shows that he has that famed warmth so beloved of his mother.

  Nick Foulkes, Luxury Editor, GQ: “The most woke member of the royal family faces an array of sartorial challenges – bedizened on the balcony of Buckingham Palace or in skinny-leg trousers and an untucked shirt in Africa with his many wonderful charities, he is aware of the power of the language of dress.”

• Hitesh Kapur11/50
  
  Sam Fender

  Musician (NEW ENTRY)He looks like a model, has done a bit of acting and writes his own songs, spiky new-wave power-indie anthems that tackle themes of modern masculinity. That mop of messy hair, a simple uniform of a striped T-shirt, slim-cut jeans and a neat Harrington jacket, accessorised with a guitar, completes the look of a British rock hero in the making.

  Dylan Jones, Editor-In-Chief, GQ: “Doing ‘casual’ isn’t that easy these days, as often it’s just an excuse for being lazy. Sam Fender, however, manages to do it with style and ease and, yes, actually a bit of grace.”

• Robin Marchant12/50
  
  Henrik Lundqvist

  Sportsman (NEW ENTRY)Think Swedish style is all clean minimalism and monochromatic skinniness? Wrong. Ice hockey player Henrik Lundqvist, goalie for the New York Rangers, shows that the Scandis can do playboy glamour with aplomb too. Lately, he has been wearing classic midnight-blue double-breasted suits from Swedish brand Stephen F.

  Timothy Everest: “Henrik Lundqvist is a sportsman who has a supreme confidence in everything he wears. He is able to blur the boundaries between formal and casualwear. It’s a celebration of the new approach to style, which is relaxed yet also elegant.”

• 13/50
  
  Carl Tallents

  Fashion Executive (NEW ENTRY)Headquartered in London, with branches in Liverpool, Birmingham, Glasgow and, most recently, the capital, Flannels is one of British luxury’s most important players. Tallents, head of brand, who has a style that is laid-back, cool and perfectly in tune with 2019, is the man in charge of it all.

  Caroline Rush, CEO, British Fashion Council: “Carl is noticeable in a crowd; his signature is the essential hat. It sets off his relaxed style, a mixture of casual trousers and tailored jacket, understated in terms of labels but distinct nonetheless.”

• RB/Bauer-Griffin14/50
  
  Taika Waititi

  Film Director (NEW ENTRY)An offbeat persona with an offbeat swag to boot. His signature move? Pineapples emblazoned loud and proud on shirts buttoned up all the way to the top, usually accessorised by a huge, beaming grin. Sure, he can do red-carpet elegance, but it’s the aforementioned pineapple-print shirts that really set him apart.

  Jonathan Heaf, Chief Content Officer, GQ: “Pronounce the New Zealand film director’s name five times (correctly!) and he appears in front of you dressed like the enigmatic, award-winning cinema wizard he was always destined to become. As the man responsible for making Thor cool, Waititi’s style is that of an intergalactic sailor/tiki barman half-cut on rum Mai Tai cocktails and bad poetry… You know, in a good way.”

• Victor Boyko15/50
  
  Riz Ahmed

  Actor (LAST YEAR No39)As one of Britain’s few Asian actors with bona fide leading-man status, Riz Ahmed has shown that when it comes to style he hasn’t forgotten where he comes from. He can ball with the best of them on the red carpet in labels such as Dunhill, but his off-duty sportswear flex shows that, first and foremost, he’ll always be a Londoner who found success against the odds.

  Mark Weston, creative director, Dunhill: “Style and character are always elements you should embrace or contrast. Riz’s style shows a confident mix of sport utility and modern elegance that embodies his passions, from conscious rap to championing cultural roots and identity. It’s this duality of style and character that shows intuition and integrity.”

• Michael Stewart16/50
  
  Ryan Reynolds

  Actor (RE-ENTRY)Fashion doesn’t have to be about making a big statement. In fact, not making a statement is, in itself, a big statement. Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds’ approach of wearing a uniform consisting of all-American basics – Reigning Champ sweatshirt, Rag & Bone trousers and zip-up bomber – demonstrates the power of simplicity.

  Brunello Cucinelli, fashion designer: “I’m fascinated by the energy of Ryan Reynolds. He’s an icon of male style, elegance and beauty, capable, like few others, of always wearing a suit revisited in a sartorial and contemporary key.”

• PG/Bauer-Griffin17/50
  
  Ryan Gosling

  Actor (LAST YEAR No16)To say that Ryan Gosling is stylish is to state the obvious. But why exactly? Sure, there’s something of Sixties Hollywood about him and a certain laid-back charm, but if we knew for sure, well, we’d be married to Eva Mendes instead.

  Ingo Wilts, chief creative officer, Boss: “Ryan Gosling reminds me of a modern-day Paul Newman: classic, elegant and understated. He looks equally pulled together in tailoring or in his off-duty looks. I also like how his style is nostalgically American.”

• Can Nguyen/Shutterstock18/50
  
  Jack Guinness

  Model (LAST YEAR No24)The best beard in the business… The coolest man in London… We’ve said all this and more about Jack Guinness. He looked timelessly elegant in a grey double-breasted chalk-stripe suit hosting the 2020 GQ Grooming Awards.

  Simon Longland, general merchandising manager, Harrods: “Jack Guinness epitomises modern style as he plays with bold tailoring and statement pieces. He isn’t afraid to experiment with his unique approach to fashion; withholding his refined, tailored style he expresses elegance and individuality with confidence.”

• Lorne Thomson19/50
  
  Travis Scott

  Musician (LAST YEAR No5)The crown of “hottest rapper in the game” is the most contested title in popular culture. The impact of his documentary, Look Mom I Can Fly, means that Travis Scott is deservedly in the running. His look – a combination of streetwear (Supreme sunglasses), hip-hop flash (lots of diamonds) and grunge (that plaid shirt) – dominates fashion in the same way his music does. It’s lit!

  Kim Jones, menswear artistic director, Dior: “Travis Scott has been and remains the perfect fit for new Dior men’s. Bold, creative, utterly individual and dedicated to the honesty of his vision, his is a style others should covet.”

• Julian Finney20/50
  
  Roger Federer

  Sportsman (LAST YEAR No30)What is it about tennis that produces such elegantly refined men? Whatever that special alchemy, we’re grateful for the eternally classy Roger Federer, who can now join the illustrious ranks of Fred Perry, René Lacoste and Stan Smith et al as one of the sport’s true gentlemen – and style icons.

  Simon Longland: “Roger Federer embodies effortless and classic style both on and off the court. Known for partnering with respected brands such as Dior, Gucci and Prada, Federer exudes timeless style, which is only amplified by his unparalleled air of charisma.”

• LUDOVIC MARIN21/50
  
  Emmanuel Macron

  Politician (NEW ENTRY)His presidency might be beset by the gilets jaunes but Emmanuel Macron shows us that a deep, rich Euro-blue is the colour of the establishment on the continent. His gym-honed body combined with the crisply cut suit demonstrates power dressing is done best when done simply.

  Peter York, style commentator: “It’s a sharp Euro-transatlantic uniform of sleek suit in navy – a bit lighter; a bit Yves Klein; plain tie; a rather ‘Anglo’ spread-collar Charvet shirt. It’s a crisp, vigorous, healthy young banker look to fit the suit.”

• Pascal Le Segretain22/50
  
  Cody Fern

  Actor and Filmmaker (NEW ENTRY)Cody Fern, who played one of Gianni Versace’s boyfriends in The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, has the kind of gorgeous, gender-bending beauty and style that inspires poetry-level obsession. He goes hard on the red carpet in heeled Maison Margiela Tabi boots and see-through lace tops also by Margiela.

  Nicola Formichetti, fashion director: “His way of dressing has pushed the traditional boundaries of what men wear on the red carpet. He is helping create something new and hopefully encouraging others to explore fashion and create something unique.”

• Dimitrios Kambouris23/50
  
  Anderson Paak

  Musician (NEW ENTRY)Singer, rapper and songwriter, Anderson Paak blends funk, soul, gospel and hip-hop in a way that’s both timeless and fresh. He recently stepped out in Los Angeles in a head-to-toe lime-green outfit that was part early-noughties André 3000 and part Nineties rave. His ensemble at the Met Gala – pink trousers and a loudly patterned green jacket accessorised by a joyful smile – shows us that while he’s fearless, he’s laid-back too.

  Alexander Fury, menswear critic, the Financial Times: “There’s a boldness to his sartorial choices. It’s the opposite of not caring, but at the same time it isn’t too studied. The art of caring just enough is a very fine tightrope that he balances with aplomb and without falling into ridiculousness. Plus, he always seems to be having a good time.”

• Matthew Sperzel24/50
  
  Luke Day

  Stylist (LAST YEAR No18)Figure out who you are. Choose a look. Something strong. Something unique. And then wear the hell out of it. Luke Day is 2019’s most fearless proponent of doing your own thing. In an age when anyone with an internet connection can buy over-ready style, Day’s “double-down” approach is perhaps the only way to truly be yourself.

  Tim Blanks, editor-at-large, the Business Of Fashion: “The bastard love child of Al Parker and Dolly Parton is a dazzling reminder that fearless personal style will always be a bright light on even the gloomiest of days.”

• 25/50
  
  Andrew Scott

  Actor (NEW ENTRY)The hot priest from the hottest TV show of 2019, Fleabag, Andrew Scott also looks rather good when the collar’s off. He’s one of those annoying men who look just as nice in a white V-neck T-shirt as he does in casual tailoring. He does a pretty good turn on the red carpet too. Recent comments about his problems with the term “openly gay” show that Scott is as thoughtful as he is stylish and hot. Damn him.

  Oliver Spencer, fashion designer: “Most of the time his style is effortlessly casual, but he scrubs up handsomely when required. He makes it look so easy.”

• Pascal Le Segretain26/50
  
  Mark Ronson

  Musician (RE-ENTRY)The king of the “sad banger” has a sense of style that could break hearts – in a good way. His tall, slim frame was made for tailoring with a lounge lizard swagger. Small wonder that he often looks his best in Edward Sexton (who also dressed Sir Mick Jagger and The Beatles). By day, he channels Fifties style in knitted polo shirts and zip-up jackets.

  Sir Paul Smith, fashion designer: “He always looks well dressed. Whether in a flowery short-sleeve shirt or tailoring, he’s always dressed appropriately – something I admire and appreciate.”

• Arthur Mola/Invision/AP/Shutterstock27/50
  
  Lucas Hedges

  Actor (NEW ENTRY)Lucas Hedges is famous for tackling challenging roles in hard-hitting movies such as Manchester By The Sea and Ben Is Back. An appearance alongside Shia LaBeouf for the Honey Boy premiere in a camel-coloured double-breasted suit and chartreuse-yellow shirt shows a natural ease on the red carpet. His chore jackets, grey trousers and sneakers seem unusually elegant for a man just 22 years of age. We look forward to seeing more.

  Damien Paul: “Lucas has that quirky but cool energy about him, which seems to echo in his style. He feels a little ‘undone’, a touch louche, and you get the impression that he’s just thrown something on. But he always pulls it off.”

• ALowe28/50
  
  John Legend

  Musician (LAST YEAR No8)The modern jazz crooner, who’d have thought that such a thing could exist – and thrive – in 2019? John Legend makes it possible due in no small part to his style. On stage, we’re talking tailored eveningwear with a bit of subtle shimmer in the fabric – it is show business, after all. By day, it’s tailored separates in interesting but tasteful colours or a smart zip-up jacket and polo shirt. For once: do try this at home.

  Sir Paul Smith, fashion designer: “It’s delightful for me that John Legend often turns to Paul Smith tailoring when deciding what to wear on stage. He always looks sharp and enjoys colour, but not in a ridiculous way.”

• Dia Dipasupil29/50
  
  Dev Hynes

  Musician (NEW ENTRY)Like the late, great menswear designer Alexander McQueen, with whom he feels a deep affinity, Dev Hynes has an Essex heritage. Whether it’s streetwear, vintage or designer, people who know Hynes are always impressed by his deep fashion knowledge. Composing the soundtrack to Virgil Abloh’s AW19 Louis Vuitton show was simply a by-product of the mutual admiration and friendship between the two men.

  Luke Leitch, fashion critic, Vogue Runway: “Dev Hynes makes intoxicating audio, but his visuals are vividly interesting. From Louis Vuitton to Adidas to vintage he mixes his looks with category-breaking élan.”

• Eric Ray Davidson30/50
  
  Armie Hammer

  Actor (NEW ENTRY)Armie Hammer is matinée-idol handsome and has that classic jawline to match. He looks his best in a well-cut suit free of any tricky styling stunts, paired either with a rollneck or shirt and tie. Off-duty looks are similarly simple: suede bomber jacket, slim but not too slim jeans, polo shirt and plain T-shirt. These are looks that any man can pull off easily and that’s the attraction of them.

  Ingo Wilts: “Armie makes good style look easy. He has nailed how to wear a suit and simplicity is at the heart of his look – clean lines, tonal palette and minimal accessories are a winning formula.”

• Melodie Jeng31/50
  
  Sang Woo Kim

  Model (NEW ENTRY)Is he human or a beautiful android sent to tell us that South Korea is where it’s going to be at for the next 50 years? Sang Woo Kim’s look has that stark, futuristic minimalism associated with Korean style – all the better to set off those cheekbones.

  Alexander Fury: “Sang Woo Kim is happy to be relatively unremarkable, although he always makes it remarkable. There’s a knowledge of how to maximise the impact of minimal input, although maybe that’s just an intellectual way of saying that the guy looks good.”

• Franco Origlia32/50
  
  Daniel Craig

  Actor (LAST YEAR No36)Whenever a new Bond film rolls around, getting suited and booted makes sense once again. In the recent round of promotions for No Time To Die, Daniel Craig’s style has evolved from the lean’n’mean Tom Ford suits to something softer and more sensual via Brunello Cucinelli, which is very much in tune with the new, undone tailoring mood of 2019.

  Brunello Cucinelli: “I have profound admiration for Daniel Craig. He never fails to bring allure and a healthy dose of irony to his roles and his style. He highlights the versatility and contemporary spirit of the suit by making it a staple of his wardrobe.”

• Eamonn M. McCormack33/50
  
  Bill Skarsgard

  Actor (NEW ENTRY)After a blood-curdling turn as Pennywise in the remake of It, Bill Skarsgard is proof that the bad guy gets the best outfits. With a face that was seemingly precision-tooled to play sexy psychopaths, he cuts an evil dash in dark, ominous tailoring. One look at him in Rick Owens and Tom Ford is enough to make you run for the garlic.

  Luke Leitch: “Whether he’s dressed as a murderous clown or chilling in Rick Owens, Tom Ford or Prada this scion of Swedish acting aristocracy has serious style presence.”

• Dia Dipasupil34/50
  
  Jeff Goldblum

  Actor (LAST YEAR No2)Does Jeff Goldblum actually exist? Or is he just a fantasy of late middle age dreamt up by magazine editors? A lil’ bit groovy, but not too groovy. Smooth, but not Swiss Toni smooth. And just how does he get away with wearing the same lairy Prada bowling shirts that the rapper Pusha T wears? At the age of 66? Whatever it is, we want in.

  Jonathan Heaf: “What, you think we’ve moved on? Why would we? Less of a clothes horse than a style cat, the Goldbluminator does to fashion what Elon Musk does to tech: innovates, accelerates, discombobulates. Jeff in his black leather Saint Laurent safari jacket and Mr Whippy-white jeans will forever be a huge mood.”

• Claudio Lavenia35/50
  
  A$AP Rocky

  Musician (LAST YEAR No17)It was in Harlem in the Eighties that European logo-mania met hip-hop flamboyance and changed fashion forever via Dapper Dan and Puff Daddy. Now, A$AP Rocky has picked up the thread. With the recent launch of a permanent space, themed around his hometown, in the menswear department of Selfridges selling products from his AWGE line, A$AP Rocky has taken that Harlem flavour worldwide.

  Bosse Myhr, director of menswear, Selfridges: “We have had a close relationship with Rocky since we opened his month-long Bodega residency in 2017 and we were thrilled to welcome him and the wider AWGE collective to open a permanent space in our Designer Street Room. Rocky has an innate sense of style, which has helped him to create an instantly recognisable aesthetic.”

• Say Cheese!36/50
  
  Matt Smith

  Actor (LAST YEAR No11)The quintessential English gentleman in a perfectly tailored suit. Polite. Graceful. Somewhat restrained. Will those characteristics ever stop being things to which we all aspire? Not from where we’re standing. The Crown’s first Prince Philip, Matt Smith, shows us that the classics done well still have so much to offer in 2019 and beyond.

  Jeremy Langmead: “Matt has a frame and demeanour that gives all the slick tailoring he chooses to wear an elevated and contemporary feel. In a Thom Sweeney suit, for example, he exudes a youthful yet old Hollywood (or old Windsor) elegance. When he’s not working, he has nailed the trend for printed camp-collared shirts. Not always easy to pull off with such aplomb.”

• Robin L Marshall37/50
  
  Lakeith Stanfield

  Actor (NEW ENTRY)Donald Glover’s costar in the TV show Atlanta has a laid-back style to match. Expect loose, free-flowing fits and easy layers, all worn with that trademark nonchalance. His offbeat sense of humour saw him go all in with the face make-up and cowboy boots at the Joker premiere.

  Stuart Vevers, creative director, Coach: “I love Lakeith’s style. He’s cool and a free spirit who plays by his own rules. I like how he mixes and matches things; he’s grounded but with offbeat charm.”

• Kevin Mazur38/50
  
  Harry Styles

  Musician (LAST YEAR No9)Who would have guessed that the teeny-bopper from One Direction would blossom into a fully fledged fashion icon? Us neither. Not only was he cohost of this year’s Met Gala, but he also owned it in a gender-bending black Gucci jumpsuit with a sheer lace top half-decorated with frills.

  Daniel Fletcher, fashion designer: “Harry’s sense of style is so unique. He’s fearless and I love that about him. His ability to blur gender boundaries and embrace his femininity without looking like he’s thought twice about it is absolutely unparalleled.”

• Kevin Winter39/50
  
  Donald Glover

  Actor (LAST YEAR No1)An expert in wearing Seventies style without it looking forced or, worse, “retro”. We should also take a moment to consider Glover’s beard: it used to be neat, but at the premiere of the remake of The Lion King, it had a wild, unruly look, with flecks of grey showing, like the mane of a proud lion. Well, he did voice Simba, after all. Sometimes, it pays to go method.

  Charlie Casely-Hayford, fashion designer: “He’s one of the few actors consistently willing to take risks with print and colour that moves beyond the obvious.”

• Mike Marsland40/50
  
  Rami Malek

  Actor (LAST YEAR No29)By day, Rami Malek does that off-duty movie star trick in which he looks normal until you take a second glance. Bomber jackets, neat shirts and grey flannel trousers are simple, low-key, but totally perfect. By night he suits up in statement tailoring: a white Berluti suit and black silk shirt for the Bohemian Rhapsody premiere. His standout fashion moment of 2019? Being interviewed in a bright red suit by Ben Cobb for a fictional chat show for Love magazine.

  Kris Van Assche, creative director, Berluti: “Rami Malek is one of the most humble, elegant and kind people I have met in the industry. Dressing him for the world premiere of Bohemian Rhapsody has been one of my VIP highlights at the house of Berluti.”

• Matthew Sperzel41/50
  
  Alton Mason

  Model (NEW ENTRY)His backflips, dance moves and sexy strut are already the stuff of catwalk legend. He moves with a verve, grace and irresistible charisma that brings to mind a young Naomi Campbell. No one on the planet looks as good with their shirt off underneath louche tailoring. Oh, and he practises kung fu in a school in Shanghai. A new superstar has arrived.

  Phillip Picardi, editor-in-chief, Out: “Alton Mason’s compelling, sexy twists on black tie (the opulent layering of fine necklaces and rings), often without a shirt, make him a commanding, cool presence in any room.”

• Venla Shalin42/50
  
  Tyler, The Creator

  Musician (LAST YEAR No25)For a man whose lyrical content often reaches into the darkest depths of the human psyche, Tyler, The Creator’s personal style and designs from his Golf Wang label are remarkably pleasant. Nice, even. This year’s Lacoste x Golf Le Fleur collaboration featured pastel-coloured sportswear that would appeal to an actual rich person from the Hamptons and cutting-edge hypebeast alike. Any out-there craziness usually involves his hair: a blond wig in the “Earfquake” video from his No1 album, Igor, or dyed leopard-print hair for the Grammys. Everything else is laid-back golf- and tennis-inspired casualwear, but slightly twisted and kitsch. Perfect for the postmodern streetwear moment we’re in right now.

  Elgar Johnson: “Tyler, The Creator is exactly that: a creator of his own style. He challenges fashion in the best way and he has built a cult status in the same way as the brilliant André 3000 before him.”

• Taylor Hill43/50
  
  Troye Sivan

  Musician (NEW ENTRY)Troye Sivan is seemingly on a one-man mission to bring unadulterated glamour back into pop music. Shimmering tailoring worn with sheer blouses and sleek sportswear, lips painted crimson red and an artfully messy mop of platinum-blond hair are just some of the hallmarks of his increasingly confident style. His precision-tooled pop sound belies a witty lyricist who writes explicitly about the gay experience: Grindr, losing one’s virginity as a “bottom” and postcoital languor. Sadly in 2019 homophobia remains rife. Troye Sivan’s loud and proud stance means he’s the pop star we need right now.

  Phillip Picardi: “I love that Troye uses personal style to showcase his personal evolution. He is one of our greatest fashion showmen. From his decadent tour costumes to the elegant, masterful make-up he wears, he is a refreshing alternative to male style icons.”

• Han Myung-Gu44/50
  
  Kai

  Musician (NEW ENTRY)Thanks to millions of YouTube views and the sheer intensity of his fan base, Kai, the lead singer and dancer of K-pop phenomenon Exo, ranks as one of the world’s biggest and most influential pop stars. He represents all that’s exciting about contemporary Korean style: oversized fits, next-level layering and off-key accessories styled with a futuristic sensibility. It’s experimental and courageous, but elegant and sophisticated too. This summer, at the Gucci Resort 2020 show in the South Of France, Kai subverted a crimson-checked wool suit with a fringed crystal mask. Afterwards, A$AP Rocky was seen deep in conversation with him. Perhaps the Harlem rapper and the K-pop heart-throb were swapping fashion tips…

  Luke Day, Editor, GQ Style, and Fashion Director, GQ: “I was so enamoured with Kai when I worked with him; his personal style is so inspiring and unique. He’s a real trailblazer and makes brave, bold choices that I really resonate with.”

• Franziska Krug45/50
  
  Keanu Reeves

  Actor (NEW ENTRY)This year, Keanu Reeves went from grunge heart-throb and uber dude to living, breathing fashion deity. His Instagram-melting moment as the face of Saint Laurent’s AW19 campaign showed Reeves as our girlfriends and boyfriends have always wanted to see him: tough and contemplative, tender and vulnerable, all in stark black and white courtesy of photographer David Sims. When he looks into the camera, it’s as though he’s staring into your soul and whispering, “Dude, it’s going to be OK.” Get ready for a fresh bout of Keanu-mania when the new Matrix sequel comes out in two years’ time.

  Katie Grand: “Keanu is a god. I once saw him sitting on the floor of the bar of the Greenwich Hotel and he was definitely godlike. He was wearing a black T-shirt and black jeans. God.”

• Stephane Cardinale – Corbis46/50
  
  Skepta

  Musician (LAST YEAR No10)Is there such a thing as a London look? And, if so, who reps London the hardest? A contender would surely be Tottenham’s Skepta. From the red carpet to the rave, he looks equally at ease in a black Nike tracksuit as he does a tailored Burberry overcoat. Because that’s how London dresses: high and low; establishment and street. He’s also an enthusiastic hype man for cutting-edge designers, including Korean brand Ambush, Virgil Abloh’s Off-White and Nasir Mazhar. A recent video for the track “Greaze Mode” sees him in a lilac-suited blaxploitation flex. That’s why when Skepta says “fashion week”, we say “shutdown”. An everyman for the mandem.

  Gary Armstrong, Senior Fashion Editor, GQ Style: “Skepta isn’t just the coolest man in British music, he’s also fast becoming the coolest man in fashion. A collaboration with Nike and a collection of his own making with Mains means his style star is on the rise.”

• Ricky Vigil M47/50
  
  David Beckham

  National Treasure (LAST YEAR No7)You can chart your life by Beckham haircuts and outfits. Where were you when he had his blond highlights and Jean Paul Gaultier sarong? How shocked or delighted were you with the homoeroticism of his early noughties GQ covers? The risqué flash of youth has passed and today he’s a hot DILF par excellence. In 2019 he dresses like a modern matinée idol: sleekly tailored ensembles for the red carpet, Wimbledon and royal weddings and heritage workwear for everything else. Aged 44, Beckham has a statesman-like presence and authority as an ambassador for the British Fashion Council, as well as his numerous business and philanthropic ventures. Yet he remains one of us: the boy from Leytonstone obsessed with football, fashion and music.

  Kim Jones: “My favourite David Beckham fashion moment was at the royal wedding when he wore the first suit I’d ever designed for Dior. David has managed to bring fashion into sport and supports design through the British Fashion Council.”

• 48/50
  
  Lil Nas X

  Musician (NEW ENTRY)Country music. Cowboys. The Wild West… White people, right? Maybe a bit racist and homophobic? Wrong. It’s more diverse than you think. At least, if this year’s smash hit “Old Town Road” by the 20-year-old gay rapper Lil Nas X is anything to go by. How wonderful to see this young man explode out of nowhere to become a fashion icon almost overnight. One look at him on the cover of Time magazine in his bright red double-breasted suit (as Prince would have worn it) and matching cowboy hat and rollneck is enough to make you say, “We always stand in a buffalo stance.”

  Stuart Vevers:“What I love about Lil Nas X is how courageous and personal his style is. His bold take on the Wild West is really another way of him telling his story and I really admire that.”

• Tristan Fewings49/50
  
  Brad Pitt

  Actor (NEW ENTRY)In a world dominated by streaming, are the days of Hollywood as we currently know it numbered? If so, will Brad Pitt be remembered as one of its last true icons? Once Upon A Time In… Hollywood, itself a kind of lament to a bygone age of movie magic, shows us how an American icon should dress: T-shirt and jeans, cowboy boots, aviator sunglasses, baseball caps and Hawaiian shirts. It’s at once rugged and masculine, but also friendly and approachable, all slung on with that characteristic nonchalance and ease. Therein lies the magic and charm of Brad Pitt, both on the red carpet and off it: the golden boy from a golden era, the likes of which we may never see again.

  Teo van den Broeke, Style And Grooming Director, GQ: “In his red-carpet appearances and his recent turn as down-and-out stuntman Cliff Booth in Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In… Hollywood, Brad Pitt proves it’s possible to look immaculately stylish and improbably cool at once. And, at 55, he’s also proven you can do it at any age.”

• Barcroft Media50/50
  
  Timothée Chalamet

  Actor (LAST YEAR No3)Plenty of actors decide to take risks on the red carpet, and for that we applaud them, but so often it backfires. Not so with Timothée Chalamet, who wears the trickiest of designer ensembles but manages to look as cool and comfortable as if he were wearing regular black tie. A lot of this is to do with his androgynous, skinny physique and startlingly pretty face. This kind of stylistic wizardry was once the preserve of David Bowie and, before him, perhaps, Fred Astaire. He even makes Henry V’s medieval pudding bowl haircut look good in the new Netflix film The King. Paparazzi shots of Lily-Rose Depp practically devouring him on a yacht in Italy shows us that it pays to dress like red-carpet royalty. Long live this year’s GQ Best-Dressed Man.

  Jo Ellison, editor, Financial Times How To Spend It:“Chalamet is fearless on the red carpet. He doesn’t flinch from wearing tricky fashion choices, he has the gift of sartorial insouciance and is never overwhelmed by his clothes.”

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