The highest-paid film star of his time, Steve McQueen had a rebellious nature that complemented his onscreen American antihero persona and earned him the nickname “The King of Cool.” Off-screen, the actor was passionate about motorbike and car racing, and had a natural yet distinctive all-American boy-meets-renegade style that, together with his no-nonsense man’s man personality, made him a style icon both in his time and in ours.

Style-wise, Steve McQueen excelled at taking classic American sportswear and giving it a rugged, masculine edge. Hallmarks of the actor’s style included aviators, slim-cut tailored suits, sport coats, zip-up windbreakers, khakis, button-downs in pale colors, V-neck sweaters, and shawl-collared cardigans, as well as polo shirts. Of course, as a racing enthusiast, the iconic star was also a fan of clothing he could get down and dirty in, such as racing jackets, simple cotton T-shirts, leather jackets, gloves, boots, and denim, denim and more denim.

Interestingly, although Steve McQueen was most in his element when dressed down in jeans, he cleaned up so well that Rolex named their sophisticated Explorer watch after him, officially calling it the McQueen Rolex. Additionally, the Tag Heuer Monaco watch the actor donned in 1971’s Le Mans made such a splash that the company re-released it in the 1990s. This style icon was also the first man to grace the cover of the fashion magazine Harper’s Bazaar.

Dress The McQueen Way

Assuming you already own a pair of blue jeans and a perfect-fitting white T-shirt, one of the quintessential items you’ll need to emulate Steve McQueen’s style is a leather jacket, as the actor was often seen out and about in one, especially while riding his motorbike. This Andrew Marc Silvano leather jacket is, therefore, an absolute must for those coveting Steve McQueen’s ultra-cool style. Like the garments Steve McQueen favored, this jacket will help you create easy, comfortable and stylish looks and is suitable for light riding. Even if you’re not planning to get on a motorcycle anytime soon, the jacket’s sleek style won’t be out of place in a busy urban environment and will give you seriously masculine sex appeal a la Steve McQueen when paired with simple basics.