Cruise ‘n’ Clothes

THE MOVIE: “Days of Thunder”

THE SET-UP: Speedster Cole Trickle (Tom Cruise, pictured) plays a rookie car racer who, with the help of the crusty car mechanic, Harry Hogge (Robert Duvall), goes through the NASCAR circuit, winning, losing and loving a sultry MD, Claire Lewicki (Nicole Kidman).

THE LOOK: Our hero slides into this film on the back of a motorcycle, headed for a driving tryout at the Daytona track. He’s wearing a James Dean attitude and a long black duster, black jeans and custom-made cowboy boots--a look trendies have already picked up. But for most of the story his outer wear consists of a ‘50s denim jacket with suede collar. As for the unorthodox neon stripes on his racing suits, the movie’s costume designer, Susan Becker, says the producers and the direct got that bright idea first. Most team colors aren’t neon, but Simpson Race Products, which styled the movie race wear, is now receiving phone calls about doing so, Becker says. The brights make it easier to find Cruise in the picture.

For good ol’ boy Duvall’s wardrobe, Becker turned to costume houses and the Goodwill, and eventually found a belted leather storm jacket from the ‘40s at American Rag Classics on Melrose. Kidman’s outstanding white linen suit is from Armani men’s wear, tailored for her. She even wears it in the race pit. Becker explains, “You’re not allowed to wear skirts in the pits, for safety reasons as well as to minimize distractions. And clothes can’t be too bare, either.”

THE LABELS: Cruise’s cowboy boots in black leather with red, yellow and white highlights, silver tips and bootstraps adorned with silver conchas are from Falconhead in Brentwood. His long but lightweight black coat is from the personal closet of film director, Tony Scott, and his denim jacket is by Lee. As for big-name designers, Armani gets the most mileage out of this film. Not only Kidman’s white suit but Randy Quaid’s business suits carry his label. (Quaid plays Cruise’s racing sponsor). Cruise wears a black generic Armani jacket in one scene. Other name brands include Alexander Julian, who supplied Quaid’s pale blue and white cotton dress shirts. Becker ordered Cruise’s custom-made belt at Leathers and Treasures on Melrose.

THE WRAP-UP: If “Days of Thunder” sparks a fashion revolution, Cruise’s denim jacket and jeans topped by an ankle-length coat are most likely to win the day. While race teams are already picking up on the neon look, it’s a tough call as to whether street racers will follow.