Michael B Jordan in a Giorgio Armani double breasted tuxedo
Who would have thought that in 2002, a teen actor by the name of Michael Bakari Jordan would take the role of a teenage drug dealing character on The Wire and turn it into the role of a lifetime. 16 years on and surviving brutal film roles like Fantastic Four’s Human Torch (holding a 9% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes), Michael B. Jordan has turned in fantastic performances as boxer Adonis Creed in the Rocky sequel – Creed and the main antagonist Erik Killmonger in 2018’s Black Panther. Today, the talented actor is not just one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors, he’s also one of the industry’s most stylish men, frequently appearing in celebrity best-dressed lists, just what is Michael B. Jordan’s style secret?
Why Michael B Jordan is a Knock-out (in a suit)
Preparing for his role as Adonis Creed, son of boxer Apollo Creed in the Rocky sequel Creed, Jordan prepared for his role as a boxer in Creed by undertaking one year of rigorous physical training and a stringent low-fat diet – coincidentally, the fashion trends for most of the straight male population takes a leaf from its #fitspo – a portmanteau of “fit inspiration”, typically for women. Today, with the deluge of films headlined by the likes of hyper-masculine actors like Hugh Jackman (Wolverine), Henry Cavill (Napolean Dynamite or Superman – take your pick), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), and the titular Creed, men’s style has not kept pace with the evolving menswear needs of everyday gentlemen, especially when everyone is trying to stay in shape.
Other than David Gandy, it’s not common for most men’s style magazines to feature models who are more muscular in bearing – most are undeniably skinny (with skinnier legs to boot). Thus, taking a leaf from Michael B Jordan’s men’s style inspiration, how do Jordan-inspired, beach ready gents get their wardrobes to suit their muscular, V-shaped, body types?
Michael B Jordan appeared in flaming plaid by way of Maison Margiela
Muscular Men’s Style: Exploring Jordan’s sartorial flair
Having rocked a tartan tuxedo from the Ralph Lauren Purple Label and even a flaming orange and red plaid Vivienne Westwood suit, Michael B Jordan is not a stranger to menswear and pushing the envelope for men’s style; it’s something which Jordan admits that his personal stylist Jeff K. Kim tries every now and then. Speaking to Hollywood Reporter, Jordan said, “Either one is a joke because he (Kim) wants to see me react or another one where he sees if I’ll be into it just to kind of push the limits a little bit and take a risk.”
Embracing the V-shape
Unlike David Gandy, most typical high fashion male models tend to be ectomorphs – lean and skinny. Thus, if you’re of the muscular variety like Michael B Jordan, broader shoulders and narrower waistlines, you typically pick the garments which accentuate your shoulders. Peak lapels with blazers tapered at the waist tend to enhance this hyper masculinity.
Get a good tailor
When it comes to muscular men, your tailor should be on speed dial. Often, off-the-rack is created to fit 80% of all body types, with a masculine physique, an off-the-rack option would fit terribly on your frame. Thus, some customisation or alteration is required to suit your body where it matters – the shoulders, the arms and the waist. Make sure your jacket fits in these key areas and that your trousers conform to your wast, derriere (butt) , thighs and taper towards your ankles.
Michael B Jordan in Ermenegildo Zegna at the New York Premiere of Fahrenheit 451
Play with neutral or monochromatic schemes
Actors like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson with hyper-exaggerated physical attributes and of late, Jordan’s super-cut, hyper-muscular build for Creed 2 has led his stylist, Kim, to moderate his physique with a sombre palettes of navy, blue, and brown.
Michael B Jordan in Ermenegildo Zegna Couture of the 10th Annual Governors Awards
Keep it classic – Very few brands do it as well as Ermenegildo Zegna
Most fashion brands don’t typically favour mesomorph builds like Jordan’s (it’s the reason why they use ectomorph skinny models during runway shows), thus, a classic rather than trendy approach is your best bet. A wardrobe with neutral shirts, sweaters, v-neck tees, slim-fit jeans and tapered chinos will complete ensembles of classic tailoring from Ermenegildo Zegna’s couture and ready-to-wear lines.
Combining comfort and an athlete’s performance-driven approach, athletic types like Jordan might even consider Z Zegna Techmerino suit
The Suit for Athletic Types – Z Zegna Techmerino
Launched in the Z Zegna Spring Summer 201 collection, athletic types might want to consider the Techmerino suit with the brand’s high performance Merino wool fabric which, when cut together, delivers a Michael B Jordan worthy sartorial ensemble with all the sportive characteristics of athleisure gear.
The more dressed up sneaker
This season’s Pelle Tessuta is included in the form of the Crociera collection. The dressy sneakers come in the form of a low-top Tiziano featuring the lateral Pelle Tessuta Crociera band on white calfskin along with an extra-light white rubber sole and hand-stitched triple stitch on the heel tab.
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