Films can become defined by so much more than a plot or an actor. A good musical score can set a film apart and make it instantly recognisable, as can certain imagery.

Fashion also plays a huge part in the film, whether it is as a period piece or setting a new trend. Sometimes, a lead character’s clothing can be as iconic as anything else the film throws up.

A man’s look can always be set by the perfect jacket and often the styles can be set by the film. So, let’s take a deeper look at seven jackets which became almost as famous as the person who wore them.

Rebel Without a Cause

The 1955 flick Rebel Without a Cause is perhaps most famous for being actor James Dean’s only title role; he died before the film could be released which made it a cult hit across the world.

The tale of a delinquent in post-war America, the film’s most striking aspect is the surly character of Jim Stark.

He scowls his way through epitomising cool and wearing a bright red Harrington jacket, immediately affecting a whole generation of American teens. Even today, the Harrington jacket carries a certain retro appeal that was first instilled in our culture thanks to Rebel Without a Cause.

Ghulam

1998 Bollywood hit Ghulam is a remake of an earlier film, Kabzaa, and stars Aamir Khan as ‘Siddhu’, a Mumbai boxing champion and small-time thief who throws a boxing match for the first time in his life.

On the film’s cover, he sports a brown, sleeveless jacket which instantly cements the image of a bad boy. Coupled with one fingerless glove and chain around his neck, Aamir’s tapori has a thoroughly authentic look which resonated with audiences

Casablanca

Set during World War 2 and starring Humphrey Bogart in perhaps his most famous role, Casablanca is the tale of an American expatriate who comes across a woman he once loved, played by Ingrid Bergman. He’s then torn between her and helping her husband who is a Czech Resistance leader, escape from the Casablanca to continue his fight against the Nazis.

As he puts Bergman on a plane towards the end of the film, he utters the immortal lines ‘Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.’ Those words have become almost as famous as the Burberry trench coat he wears during much of the film, paired with a striking trilby to give Bogart his signature look. 

Terminator 2 

Arnold Schwarzenegger was an instantly recognisable action-hero in the eighties and nineties, just as comfortable playing the villain when asked. His most famous role was that of the Terminator, a cyborg sent back from the future to kill John Connor.

In Terminator 2: Judgement Day, he returned and found himself protecting Connor. The films have gone on to spawn several sequels as well as other media based on the films that are helping to tap into an entirely new fanbase.

There are lots of movie-themed titles on Foxy Games including two dedicated to James Cameron’s creation, Terminator I’ll Be Back and T2, both featuring famous iconography from the film including the famous jacket from the second film. The jacket has become a classic look for some men and is still popular to this day.

Top Gun

The rebellious nature of leather jackets continues with the patched flight jacket worn by Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the eighties classic Top Gun. Taking a motorcycle ride with Kelly McGuiness,

Tom Cruise epitomised cool for a generation of moviegoers. Top Gun has also spawned a remake but nothing will ever live up to the original.

Joker

A more recent entry, the purple blazer was worn by Joaquin Phoenix in the 2019 film Joker and has become an iconic part of cinema history. From Cesar Romero to Jack Nicholson,

Heath Ledger to Jared Leto, many actors have been defined by their efforts as Joker and all have worn his traditional blazer jacket. Phoenix’s Joker has a slightly edgier look, something inspired by the early eighties setting of the film, according to Highsnobiety. Whilst the jacket might not be making steps into the fashion industry, there’s little doubt it is as iconic as the character himself.

 Taxi Driver

Robert De Niro, playing taxi driver Travis Bickle, managed to set many trends during this 1976 classic.

His M65 infantry jacket became instantly recognisable all over the world, standard issue for U.S. soldiers in the Vietnam War, which is why it was Travis Bickle’s go-to jacket in Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver.

Along with the sharp mohawk and square gold-rimmed aviators, the character is still recognisable today, 43-year since the film’s release.