7 Film Villains Who Dress With Style


Film villains have come a long way from the days they mostly wore all black.

Today’s cinema criminals are some of the most lavish characters on the screen, often more so than even the protagonists they are trying to take down. Perhaps a reflection of their own narcissism, there’s no debating that these seven film villains had it going on.

Justin Hammer (Iron Man 2)


Tony Stark’s nemesis Justin Hammer was often depicted in the comics as a kind of Hugh Hefner-type bathrobe-wearing businessman. Thankfully by the time it came for Sam Rockwell to portray him in Iron Man 2, Hammer got a severe wardrobe upgrade.

While he may have wanted to make Iron Man look like an antique, Hammer’s look was far from outdated. The pajamas were traded in for three-piece suit combos that included simple patterned ties, solid vests, and white shirts. In one scene, the look was given an even extra dose of fresh when Hammer pairs his grey suit with stark white gloves.

Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmatians)


In every version of the classic 101 Dalmatians franchise, Cruella De Vil’s fashion taste is flawless (except for the source of her furs, of course). Glenn Close’s portrayal of the cruel devil in the 1996 and 2000 live movie adaptations were particularly on point.

Part-Queen of Hearts part-Lady Gaga, the De Vil of the films traipse across the screen in lavish black dresses, out-there hair dos, and of course plenty of puppy fur.

Le Chiffre (Casino Royale)


If you’re a super villain that randomly cries blood and has to carry around an inhaler, you at least better have a killer look going for you. For all his shortcomings, terrorist financier Le Chiffre from 2006’s Casino Royale had that going for him, particularly in one famous scene.

With the producers no doubt trying capitalize on the online poker boom (which, along with online casino gaming in general, is still thriving today.), Le Chiffre had to face off against James Bond in a game of high-stakes Texas Hold ‘Em. As he did throughout most of the movie, Mr. Chiffre wore a getup that included an all black suit (complete with super wide lapels) that must have been foreshadowing mourning for his forthcoming demise.

Calvin Candie (Django Unchained)


Charming but cruel, Calvin Candie ruled his plantation with a callous heart but also a little bit of southern style. As owner of Candyland, DiCaprio’s character wore dapper duds that usually involved patterned ties, fancy bowlers, and smart suits adorned with carnations.

While you probably haven’t seen his wardrobe emulated around town, Candie’s V-shaped facial hair has made a slow comeback in beard-enthusiast circles.

Elle Driver (Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2)


The fate of Daryl Hannah’s character in the Kill Bill series was left unknown, but what is known that whenever she had screen time she always had looks that could kill (often literally).

‘California Mountain Snake’ had an iconic eye patch that would effortlessly match whatever outfit she was wearing at the time, including a red cross for her nurse disguise. Even in her final showdown with Black Mamba, Driver is rocking an all-black business chic look, the last look she’d be able to see on herself before having her remaining eye ripped out.

Tony Montana (Scarface)

Tony Montana
If it was an 80s film set in Miami, it’s almost guaranteed to have featured some off-the-charts-style. Scarface is no exception, and the look of the film’s protagonist/anti-hero Tony Montana has been so transcendent that it still adorns the walls of college dorm rooms everywhere.

The first time we meet Al Pacino’s character he is sporting a tropical button-up that you can probably still find on the streets of Miami today. As Montana’s standing in the drug trade increased, so too did his fashion taste. The patterned shirt and wife beater evolved into swanky three-piece suits, oversized sunglasses that wouldn’t look out of place today, and of course the pinstripe suit combo he was wearing when he introduced his little friend to Sosa’s crew.

Tyler Durden (Fight Club)

fight club brad pitt
Ironically, a film about revolting against mass media and consumption has given one of the most stylish movie villains in recent memory: the infamous Tyler Durden.

For years after the film’s release in 1999, men (and their women) pined to have the “Brad Pitt in Fight Club body.” Besides the cut physique, what also deserved to be imitated was Tyler Durden’s wardrobe. The red leather jacket on top of the patterned button up have become iconic, as have his red-lens sunglasses (at least in the early 2000s).

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *