Paul Newman: The look of ‘Cool Hand Luke’
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In memory of Paul Newman, I am re-posting a style tribute to him that dates back to November of last year. I have always advocated that men look to suave film actors and their characters to adopt a style. It’s the best way to crib a look. -- M.C.
Hot damn. Was there ever a man as sexy and surly as Paul Newman in ‘Cool Hand Luke’? No sir. The movie -- set in a Florida prison and chockfull of more Christ imagery than my Aunt Betty’s sitting room -- turns 40 this year.
The costumes? Well, it’s mostly prison garb and cigarettes and sweat. But for any dude out there who’s tempted to toughen his image, the road is straight and short.
First off, you need that blue button-down shirt --preferably government issue -- Newman wears throughout. I like this chambray workshirt by Ralph Lauren (right) that looks incredibly soft but masculine. It’s $85 on Polo.com. Meanwhile, L.L. Bean offers its own vintage chambray at $34.50 in a dark indigo that will probably fade perfectly if you wear it and wash it plenty.
Next up, a pair of jeans is essential. Not those low slung, skinny denim pants that make a man look he might cry over a bloody nose. I found a pair of jeans called the Cool Hand Luke style from Earnest Sewn, $224, that are beaten up but not overly distressed.
This jacket from Marc by Marc Jacobs that I spotted on sale at Bluefly.com for $299 seems like the type of outerwear Luke might have worn. I dig that it’s corduroy with a built-in hoodie and looks like a jacket that could weather an escape.
Newman sports a silver bottle opener on a chain, but I don’t recommend that look. It just screams ‘DUI, anyone?’ and so instead, opt for a bitchin’ pair of shades. I am in love with Ray-Ban’s larger, silver aviator-style sunglasses, $129.99. The gold is too prep-meets-highway-patrol, but the silver frames are badass in a subtle way.
Like a sucker punch.
In a prison yard.
-- Monica Corcoran
Photo credits: ‘Cool Hand Luke’ photos from Warner Home Video