Do you recall where you were when you first fell for Leonardo DiCaprio? Which performance perfectly cemented your adoration for the Best Actor contender’s sizable talent and, yes, his overwhelmingly good looks? I do. I was 13, watching Baz Luhrmann’s modern revamp of Romeo + Juliet when I felt my defenses slacken in the onscreen presence of the actor playing Shakespeare’s dashing, floppy-haired, star-crossed lover. Even though it seemed too predictable for me to catch feelings for the lanky heartthrob, I have to admit, it was not only his performance that sealed the deal but the way he wore those Hawaiian shirts with total unbuttoned aplomb. Because yes, without a doubt, DiCaprio’s ability to steal a scene is in part thanks to the power of his on-screen style.
In The Basketball Diaries a gangly Leo made the convincing case for the combination of sinuous denim paired with distressed varsity sweatshirts, the frayed edges rolling up just so. As Titanic’s Jack, the shape-shifter was an utter gentleman from the bottom deck in his expertly tailored suiting. And of course, his masterful performance in The Revenant not only earned him the Academy nod, but also helped the sales of teddy bear coats everywhere this winter. While we cross our fingers in hopes of seeing him take home top honors Sunday night, we’ll be channeling his winning style in Leo-approved looks that deserve their own Oscar.
How to walk the Oscars red carpet: