This winter belongs to Charles Melton. Because, during a season in which most people oscillate between frozen, broken and boozed into oblivion, the May December star is shining on through. His breakout movie opposite Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore is making critics all breathless and giddy. Variety just inducted him into its hallowed circle of “10 Actors to Watch For”. And the internet, forever ensnared by the power of a strong jawline and Disney prince hair, has crowned him its incumbent boyfriend and bringer of thirst memes. Makes sense, then, that his suits have one factory setting: date mode.
At a London screening of May December, Melton went for tailoring, and did it in head-to-toe black. So far, so red carpet. But what makes this feel a little different is the easiness of it. In just one big campaign trail, the 32-year-old has already nailed the elusiveness “Oh, this? I just had it lying around” effortlessness that menswear is eternally chasing. It's loose, it's louche, it's guaranteed to amp up most things in your wardrobe.
And yet there's still a bit of a polish. Melton's found a suit that gives off some semblance of effort—the suit for when the “good morning” WhatsApps are becoming routine; the suit for when things are beginning to get over the line. It's a suit for a dinner that needs a restaurant booking four weeks in advance. It doesn't need a tie, or a shirt, or cufflinks, because that's too much and you don't want to seem too keen. Melton's suit gets it just right.
Plus, it's another win for the tireless vest-suit combo. What was once seen as something mildly steamy is now just standard practice; any and every guy can dress down their tailoring and look as good as Charles Melton. So try it. You might be the internet's next big boyfriend, too.
This story originally appeared on British GQ with the title “Charles Melton's suits are always in third date mode”
