Style Icon – Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise – a compelling movie star of the 1980s having played iconic parts in iconic movies such as Top Gun, Cocktail, Rain Man, Mission Impossible and many others.

I think we may all agree that during his prime, Tom Cruise was very attractive… In 1990, 1991 and 1997 People magazine rated Cruise among the 50 most beautiful people in the world, and in 1995 Empire magazine ranked him among the 100 sexiest stars in film history. Also a trendsetter, Tom Cruise is renowned for wearing his signature aviator-style sunglasses, which he famously wore as Maverick in the 1986 film Top Gun.

I have been inspired to cover Tom Cruise’s earlier styles of the ‘80s in his two famous roles as Maverick in Top Gun and Brian Flanagan in Cocktail after seeing Tom Cruise star in the recently released film Oblivion… I recognised similarities in the behaviour and particularly the styling of his character Jack Harper to some of his earlier characters which I felt the need to share with the Tom Cruise fans out there. I also want to show how the Maverick and Brian Flanagan characters have contributed to Tom Cruise’s signature trends; the bold shirts and aviator sunglasses.

Brian Flanagan – Cocktail (1988):

So very true to the fashion of the era that this film was made in – large bold printed shirts – worn with a lot of chest on show and a loose, casual fit.
Copy this trend with this Penfield Palm Tree short-sleeved shirt, Diesel Denmonza short-sleeved shirt and Paul Smith Jeans Classic short-sleeved shirt, which can all be found on Mainline Menswear. The prints are almost identical to the original shirts worn in Cocktail by Tom Cruise himself, and are perfect for the spring/summer season we are now moving into… Simply wear with a pair of oatmeal beige cotton twill chinos or shorts and espadrilles or sandals for an easy, casual feel.

Maverick – Top Gun (1986):

Tom Cruise’s debut of the aviator sunglasses trend was in this film as a young naval aviator and soon became his signature look.

Introducing unique accessories and pieces really enables you to develop your own personal signature style, like Tom Cruise did with the aviators following the release of Top Gun. Mainline Menswear stocks many styles of aviator sunglasses from brands such as Ray-Ban, Prada, D&G, Carrera and Hugo Boss Orange.

I don’t know about you, but when I think of aviator sunglasses Ray Ban instantly pops into my mind and these are also favoured by Mr Cruise, but as already mentioned, Mainline Menswear stocks various different designer brands of aviator sunglasses (as well as other styles!) for you to choose from. Take a look at my picks of the aviators above, or even better – visit the site to view our entire sunglasses collection.

Granted, the aviator style doesn’t suit all face shapes – they won’t even sit on my boyfriend’s long, thin face – but if you are lucky enough to resemble Tom Cruise’s face you are also lucky in the fact that they are timeless classic pieces that accessorize any outfit.

Jack Harper – Oblivion (2013):

It is almost like a game of ‘spot the difference’ with the following two images, don’t you agree?! Driving a motorised bike – check, a young, attractive female sat on the back clinging onto his waist – check, and the all-important aviator shades on – check!

Unfortunately, we do not stock futuristic leather space suits here on Mainline Menswear… Think we will stick to selling sunglasses and shirts!