8. White Collar - Stephanie Maslansky
From his fedora to footwear choices, Neal Caffrey the dashing con artist-turned-FBI consultant on the USA Network drama White Collar can probably claim the mantle of best-dressed man on television. He is rarely seen in anything but impeccably tailored suits (John Varvatos and Simon Spurr are favorites) with slim-fit, French-cuff dress shirts. Sharp men's accessories including bold-patterned ties with sterling tie bars, pocket squares and cuff links refine his style. Costume designer Maslansky says:
"His look has evolved to become less retro and more modern. The focus is classic pieces with unexpected pairings like a textured pink shirt with a lavender tie. There's almost a sense of shrunkenness because everything is so precise."
Stephanie uses primarily tropical-weight suitings because they hang best on the body. "The slim suits that he wears require a Saville Row-experienced tailor to get an even slimmer, perfect fit." In the '50s and '60s, the colors were more toward the earth tones. So though that era is the original inspiration, including the Rat Pack (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop), the show incorporates more of a New York sensibility: cool tones, blues and grays, and purples - lilacs and lavenders. Favorite designers used on the show include Paul Smith, Dolce & Gabbana, Simon Spurr, Calvin Klein, Gucci, and John Varvatos and Burberry. There's still nothing quite like a handsome man in a well made suit, is there ladies? (and gents!)