Daniel Day-Lewis is no stranger to fashion. He's been blessed with a bunch of stylish roles – most obviously Reynolds Woodcock, the immaculate dress designer whose clothing compels you throughout the entirety of Phantom Thread. But before this, he also featured in the likes of Lincoln, There Will Be Blood and The Age Of Innocence – all of which confirmed his affinity with simple, well-crafted clothing.
With a highly commended history of stylish roles on screen, it's no surprise that Lewis' off duty wardrobe is also pretty brilliant. We're particularly keen on his 1990s looks: those ten years offer a perfect example of a powerful, relaxed wardrobe, which was often a little oversized (in keeping with the tone of the decade) and always finished with elegant accessories.
So today, as the actor celebrates his 63rd birthday, we've rummaged through his pre-millennial wardrobe and sourced five of his standout style moments. They're all pretty simple but very effective, so if you're in search of an update, these looks are a top place to look…
Year: 1990
Tip to take: An overcoat isn't just something you throw on for colder days. You could actually call it the most important layer of your look and Daniel Day-Lewis always understood this. To complete an elegant ensemble of black jeans, white shirt, buckle belt and printed scarf, he chose a black double-breasted design finished with long shawl lapels and worn a bit oversized. Works brilliantly for us.
Year: 1993
Tip to take: With Spring starting to settle in, now is the perfect time to filter some lighter shades into our daily looks (even if we are only wearing them indoors). A solid point of influence? This super casual outfit worn by Lewis in 1993. Straight-cut trousers and a boxy, relaxed jacket (both made from cotton by the looks of it it) was a simple but strong shout and never has a man done more work to sell the power of a grey T-shirt.
Year: 1994
Tip to take: Here's why we're big fans of Lewis' wardrobe: once he finds pieces he likes, he wears them time after time. Case in point: his brilliant long black blazer from the first look, which he once again wore to the Golden Globe Awards in 1994. The under layers remain simple, but with more unusual textures mixed in: big shoutout to those velvet trousers and that velvet bow, a nice upgrade from a traditional tie and very 2020 Gucci.
Year: 1992
Tip to take: Finishing accessories count. Day-Lewis' favourite in the 1990s was a silk scarf, which he often used to add a subtle pop of print into a minimal ensemble. On this occasion, he opted for a purple polka dot design which, over his mauve-hued suit (nicely embossed with a stripe, which we're also enjoying) proved his total style sophistication. It's a must-have accessory; we suggest having a look at Drake's for something similar.
Year: 1995
Tip to take: You can always count on a pair of classic leather boots to see you through any occasion, be it a formal event or a Friday night dancing date (in your garden, of course; that's how we do it in lockdown). Lewis' two key rules for the style are simple: make sure they're black (channel The Beatles for this one) and have a nice little heel for an extra bit of exuberance.
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