Stylish authors get a bad rap. Unlike their cinematic or musical counterparts, authors are not fortunate enough to have their likenesses plastered on giant posters, television screens, and print ads. Therefore, authors are often left out of the conversation when it comes to the greats of style. Of course there are exceptions to this rule (and you’ll see a few of them below) but by and large, the sartorial merits of authors often go unnoticed. Therefore, in honor of those that have a way with words and wardrobes alike, we give you the best dressed authors of all time.
S.J. Perelman – Humorist, traveler, all around eccentric.
What you can learn from his style – While his style was relatively reserved, Perelman’s glasses prove that a little bit of shape can go a long way.
Required Reading – Westward Ha! (1948)
Ogden Nash – Author, lyricist, master of the punchline poem.
What you can learn from his style – When it comes to sport coats, solids are fine, patterns are better.
Required Reading – I’m a Stranger Here Myself (1938)
John Updike – Storyteller, critic, the traddiest author that ever did live.
What you can learn from his style – Do not fear the turtleneck.
Required Reading – Rabbit Run (1960)
William Burroughs – Essayist, satirist, addict
What you can learn from his style – Three pieces are sometimes better than two.
Required Reading – Naked Lunch (1959)
William Faulkner – Novelist, Renaissance man, Southerner
What you can learn from his style – Wear your damn clothes.
Required Reading – As I Lay Dying (1930)
Tom Wolfe – Reporter, chronicler, New Yorker
What you can learn from his style – It pays to be the most formal guy in the room.
Required Reading – The Bonfire of the Vanities (1987)
Jack Keroauc – Journeyman, scribe, Beat
What you can learn from his style – It’s okay to keep things simple, just make sure they fit.
Required Reading – The Dharma Bums (1958)
Gay Talese – Journalist, essayist, wearer of illustrious hats
What you can learn from his style – Find your signature. Wear it everyday.
Required Reading – Frank Sinatra Has a Cold (1966)
Fran Lebowitz – Orator, wordsmith, best dressed woman in menswear
What you can learn from her style – Ignore the norm.
Required Reading – Social Studies (1981)
“Bad rap” isn’t the colloquialism you’re looking for to say they’re ignored or overlooked.
I respect Wolfe, but I am not a fan of his prose. He bludgeons the reader with exclamation points until they lose all of their value. Reading him aloud is one long scream.
One could also say his white suit is just another overused exclamation point that long ago lost its punch.
This is mostly a sausage fest. Search a bit harder, would you?
So the only woman on this list is listed as “best dressed woman in menswear.” Sigh.
Perhaps you should preface this as the most stylish male authors, since there are many women writer style icons. :)
No Ian Fleming? Too easy maybe?
“…of all time”
or the last 50 years.
Barton Fink.
What do you mean by “scribe” for Jack Keroauc?
It’s all dicks and no chicks. Ok, one chick…wearing menswear. Thanks. Perhaps reconsider the title of this piece.
Langston Hughes and James Baldwin were sharp as hell
Some food for thought in there. John Cheever is missing though (or someone was reluctant to include two Johns).
F.Scott Fitzgerald, John O’ Hara, Heywood Broun, Evelyn Waugh, John Buchan, T.S. Eliot, John P. Marquand, Ian Fleming.
Just a few from my shelves.
Hemingway’s style was extremely influential.
Wow! Too many cry babies, “not enough chicks” :,( Give it a rest already. Make your own list and post them elsewhere.