
There’s more to learn from these stylish gents than just how to write well.
Image source: Getty.
You can tell a lot about a man by the clothes he wears. These literary gentlemen may be better known for their wordsmithery, but their iconic choice of clothes inspires an effortless sartorial style that we can’t help but admire here at Samuel Windsor.
Ernest Hemingway

Hemingway is considered to be one of the greatest American authors.
Image source: National Archives and Records Administration [Public Domain].
Being a keen hunter and fisherman, Hemingway wore traditional Aran knit sweaters as part of his everyday apparel. Partnered with his typical craggy beard this made for an iconic signature look.
F Scott Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald’s outfit of choice was a classic three-piece tweed suit.
Image source: The World’s Work [Public domain].
Rarely seen in anything other than a classic three-piece tweed suit, Fitzgerald complemented this perfectly with a pocket-handkerchief and tie. There’s a versatility to his chosen suave attire that has certainly stood the test of time.
John Updike

John Updike is considered to be one of the greatest authors of his time.
Image source: Wikimedia [Public Domain].
A smart tweed jacket combined with Aran knit sweater, button-down shirt, and khaki chinos were a classic combination when it came to Updike’s daily outfit of choice. Updike made good use of conventional separates which gave for a classic sartorial style.
Samuel Beckett

Samuel Beckett’s preferred shirt of choice was a turtleneck.
Image source: Roger Pic [Public domain].
Samuel Beckett’s choice of attire was a mix of classic separates; Aran knit sweater, turtleneck shirt, suede boots, trench coat, smart shirts and ties. This quintessential combination has stood the test of time and is a must for the contemporary man of today.
Tom Wolfe

Tom Wolfe’s iconic outfit of choice.
Image: White House Photo by Susan Sterner. [Public domain].
When it came to his wardrobe, Wolfe made as much of a statement as he did with his writing. For most of his life he chose to wear a tailored white suit; this debonair attire accentuated Wolfe’s sartorial style, and became a remarkably symbolic outfit for someone who was known to be a non-follower of fashion.
TS Eliot

Eliot was rarely seen in anything other than a three-piece suit.
Image source: Wikimedia [Public Domain].
His wardrobe of choice entirely comprised of a stylish three-piece suit and tie – he was very rarely seen wearing anything else. Eliot knew it was important to always look your best, a task which is effortless to achieve with a smart suit.
William S Burroughs

Burroughs made a name for himself through experimental writing techniques.
Image source: Wikimedia [Public Domain].
Though he tended to eschew the more popular fashion trends, Burroughs found that the timelessness of a traditionally tailored suit leant a sartorial elegance that was worthy of his literary achievements. His usual outfit of choice was that of a three-piece suit, fedora hat, and a trench coat when the weather demanded it.
Are there any stylish authors that you think we’ve missed off our list? Let us know on our Facebook page or in the comments below.