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Between the early '80s and mid '90s, Richard Gere was Hollywood's go-to leading man when roles called for relatability and a certain type of everyman sex appeal. In the wake of his Armani-wearing turn in American Gigolo, Gere's hair got whiter and his fits got bigger. While other actors opted for acid-wash jeans and bulbous sneakers, Gere became one of the poster boys for Bistro Vibes, sticking to a tried and true formula of oversized blazers and slim, dark denim, whether attending a fashion show with his girlfriend-then-wife Cindy Crawford, or out on the town on a regular old Tuesday. Decades later, Gere's commitment to casual tailoring only looks more relevant. Today, brash, logo-emblazoned hoodies dominate the timeline, and Gere's epic run of fits offer a lasting testament to the lost art of dressing up—all the inspiration you need to snap out of your fleece-lined funk. To help jump-start the process, we distilled the essence of his look into five key components. But first, find a relaxed sport coat you like and wear the hell out of it. Take it from Gere: it's way more versatile than you think.
Let Your Tee Shine
Gere wore a variation of this outfit a lot in the '80s and '90s—loose-fitting blazer, half-tucked button-down, slyly-exposed white tee—but it looked fresh every time. Against a backdrop of darker layers, the white T-shirt reads like a deliberate swerve, not a choice forced by lack of clean laundry. Another tip: When a pair of plain Jane blue jeans doesn't feel quite right, washed black is an A-list alternative. (And sunglasses always up the cool factor.)
Boot Up Your Suit
Another tremendous Gere fit, another tour de force of supremely-relaxed tailoring. This time around, the actor opted for a knit polo, ditched the undershirt entirely (extra points for the undone buttons), and anchors it all with a pair of sleek black boots. Looking to wring new life from those erstwhile nine-to-five standbys gathering dust in the back of your closet? This is how it's done.
Watch Your Wrist
Gere's getup here is plenty elegant as is (that nifty patterned thingamajig knotted around his neck is called *checks notes* a tie), but his timepiece steals the show. People notice the details. Make 'em count.
Start Dressin’ for the Airport
Slides and sweats through TSA? Decidedly not the vibe for ’90s airport style. A leather jacket is the kind of piece that can clock hundreds of thousands of frequent flyer miles (yes, even when—especially when—it’s oversized and double breasted). And the off-duty dad cap is something you probably already have in your closet.
And Then Make it All Your Own
As Gere well knows, the difference between looking stuffy and suave can be as simple as a couple of undone buttons and a flyaway collar. There's no real rule stipulating that your shirt should remain tucked firmly beneath your jacket lapels. Personal style is just that—personal. To make a formal look feel less stultifying, inject a little bit of you into it. (Maybe leave your belt as is, though.)
