Ben Affleck is truly a man of mystery. In fact, I wrote about the subject last month. Looking at paparazzi photos of him this summer, the actor always seems to be on his way to somewhere important, often pulling a giant duffel bag or a suitcase on wheels. He frequents the same office buildings impeccably dressed in expensive suits. And considering the actor, director, and producer turns 52 today, what better time than now to take a look at his sartorial quirks?
A few questions arise. First, we want to know what Affleck does. Where is he going to get dressed up in such dressy clothes? An important Hollywood meeting? And why is he always carrying an XL carry-on suitcase and an XXL iced coffee? It’s safe to say he’s a man of consistency. And so is his clothing. His outfits often revolve around his trademark uniform of navy suits, collared button-up shirts, and leather oxford shoes. (And, of course, his trademark aviator sunglasses.)
Photo: Backgrid
Affleck has always been a fan of suits. Even during his early Hollywood rise in the ’90s and 2000s, he was always seen on the red carpet in a tailored tuxedo. My favorite was when he won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 1998, where he wore a classic black suit with a bow tie. At other star-studded premieres, he accessorized with the timeless tie. When it comes to red carpet attire, he’s always been a well-dressed gentleman. But these days, this extends to his off-duty style, which is more casual with plenty of graphic tees and moto jackets.
The reason why Affleck is now expanding his non-work wardrobe is all down to context. With rumors of his divorce from Jennifer Lopez swirling over the summer, Affleck may be entering a new era, focusing on himself, his career, and his outfits. Or maybe it’s all rumors and the star is just realizing the power of a good suit off the red carpet. Whatever it is, I remain obsessed with his continued obsession with wearing a suit at 9am on a Tuesday like a Wall Street stockbroker. Which do you think Affleck prefers? A Zegna-inspired Italian suit, or a quintessential American with a penchant for Tom Ford? Given his love of Dunkin’ Donuts, I’d bet on the latter.
