Shall we trace the lineage here?

Count Dracula

Dracula Stamp Cufflinks

Dracula is an 1897 Gothic horror novel by Irish author Bram Stoker. Famous for introducing the character of the vampire Count Dracula, the novel tells the story of Dracula’s attempt to relocate from Transylvania to England, and the battle between Dracula and a small group of men and women led by Professor Abraham Van Helsing.

Dracula has been assigned to many literary genres including vampire literature, horror fiction, the gothic noveland invasion literature. The novel touches on themes such as the role of women in Victorian culture, sexual conventions, immigration, colonialism, and post-colonialism. Although Stoker did not invent the vampire, he defined its modern form, and the novel has spawned numerous theatrical, film and television interpretations.

Louis de Pointe du Lac (Brad Pitt)

Tateossian Ice Cube Red Cufflinks

Interview with the Vampire is a debut gothic horror and vampire novel by American author Anne Rice, published in 1976. Based on a short story Rice wrote in 1968 or 1969 which she expanded into a novel four years later, Interview with the Vampire centers on vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac who tells the story of his life to a reporter. It was followed by several sequels, collectively known as The Vampire Chronicles. A film adaptation was released in 1994, starring Brad Pitt, Kirsten Dunst, Antonio Banderas, Christian Slater and Tom Cruise.

Lestat de Lioncourt (Tom Cruise)

Even though he was the “mean” vampire, Lestat still had a good thing going. He had that swanky confidence about him, like “I don’t care who you are, I’ll still suck your blood,” kinda thing going. And yes, it’s stylish.

 

Style Icon: Cool Hand Luke

Cool Hand Luke is a 1967 American prison drama film directed by Stuart Rosenberg and starring Paul Newman. The screenplay was adapted by Donn Pearce and Frank Pierson from Pearce’s 1965 novel of the same name. The film features George Kennedy (in an Oscar-winning performance), Strother Martin, J.D. Cannon and Morgan Woodward.

Splitting Log, Hand Painted Coin Cufflinks

Newman stars in the title role as Luke, a prisoner in a Florida prison camp who refuses to submit to the system. In 2005, the United States Library of Congress deemed Cool Hand Luke to be “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” and selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry.

Shotgun and Shell Cufflinks

Railroad Crossing Cufflinks

One of the scenes from Cool Hand Luke made history. It’s known as “the egg eating contest” scene, where he ingests 50 eggs, to the surprise of his fellow inmates. 

Guitar Stamp Cufflinks

Famous Line: “Sometimes nothing can be a really cool hand”

Lucas Jackson, natural born world shaker, someone with more guts than brains, a man who refuses to conform to the rules he has been given. Sent to a prison camp for a misdemeanor Luke soon gains respect and becomes an idol. He has some fun in jail doing things for the hell of it, after his mother dies the Bosses put him in the box afraid he might want to attend the funeral. When he gets out he runs and gets caught and runs and gets caught, the bosses try to break him but he just won’t break.

Hand Painted Florida State Quarter Cufflinks

Cool Hand Luke

Style Icon: Rhett Butler

Vintage Cigar Stamp Cufflinks

Or shall we say Clark Gable as Rhett Butler? Clark Gable was an important figure in his own right, but by playing the role of Rhett Butler from Margaret Mitchell’s novel, “Gone with the Wind,” his status became that of an electric style icon.

Georgia State Quarter, Hand Painted Coin Cufflinks

“In the beginning of the novel, we first meet Rhett at the Twelve Oaks Plantation barbecue, the home of John Wilkes and his son Ashley and daughters Honey and India Wilkes. The novel describes Rhett as “a visitor from Charleston”; a black sheep, who was expelled from West Point and is not received by any family with reputation in the whole of Charleston, and perhaps all of South Carolina. Rhett’s enthrallment with Scarlett O’Hara begins when he overhears her declaration of love for Ashley in the library while the rest of the “proper” girls take a nap. He recognizes that she is willful and spirited and that they are alike in many ways, including their disgust for the impending, and later ongoing, war with the Yankees.”

But how has the character of Rhett Butler effected fashion? His suave looks, mixed with form fitting, perfectly tailored suits, and complete with slicked back hair (that is always in place and properly trimmed!) has changed the way we view a classic gentleman. He evokes a sense of Southern Charm that evokes a sense of nostalgia for us fashion lovers.

Tateossian RT Brown Black Leather Cufflinks

WHAT WE LOVE? The knotted ties, the overcoats, puffy sleeves, manicured eyebrows (but not like Jersey Shore kind of thing…), and attention to detail. Even in all that Georgia heat, even when we know he’s all sweaty underneath, his style is one of a cool and collected gentleman. Dressing like Rhett will surely get you into to any restaurant and club in North America. Extra points for a cigar and shirt vest.

Royal Flush Poker Card Cufflinks

Dylan Thomas had an incredibly interesting life–As a Welsh citizen, he began writing poems at an early age. “While living in London, Thomas met Caitlin Macnamara whom he married in 1937. Their relationship was defined by alcoholism and was mutually destructive. In the early part of his marriage, Thomas and his family lived hand-to-mouth, settling in the Welsh fishing village of Laugharne.

Although Thomas was appreciated as a popular poet in his lifetime, he found earning a living as a writer difficult, which resulted in Thomas augmenting his income with readings and broadcasts. His radio recordings for the BBC during the latter half of the 1940s brought him a level of celebrity. In the 1950s Thomas travelled to America, where his readings brought him a level of fame, though his erratic behaviour and drinking worsened.

The film The Edge of Love was based on his tumultous relationship with his wife Caitlin (played by Sienna Miller) and his lover (played by Keira Knightly):

His time in America cemented Thomas’ legend, where he recorded to vinyl works such as A Child’s Christmas in Wales. During his fourth trip to New York in 1953 Thomas became gravely ill and fell into a coma from which he did not recover. Thomas died on 9 November 1953 and his body was returned to Wales where he was buried at the village churchyard in Laugharne.

Burnt Brown Paisley 100% Silk Pocket Square

Dylan Thomas

Welsh Red Dragon Hand Painted Coin Cufflinks

Dylan Thomas’s Work:

From His Official Website: “His work took many forms, including scripts for radio broadcasts, radio plays, short stories, films and an unfinished novel, although he is best known for poetry. Dylan’s most popular poems include ‘Do not go gentle into that good night’ and ‘And Death Shall have No Dominion‘.  He also included poetry in his famous play for voices, ‘Under Milk Wood’.

“Though they sink through the sea they shall rise again;
Though lovers be lost love shall not
And death shall have no dominion”
And death shall have no dominion

Blue Faceted Cats Eye Cufflinks

Nightingale Silk Tie

“My birthday began with the water –
Birds and the birds of the winged trees flying my name
Above the farms and the white horses
And I rose
In rainy autumn
And walked abroad in a shower of all my days”

‘Poem in October’ from Dylan Thomas’ Collected Poems  (London: Phoenix, 2003)

Dylan Thomas

Although writing exclusively in the English language, Thomas has been acknowledged as one of the most important Welsh poets of the 20th century. Noted for his original, rhythmic and ingenious use of words and imagery, Thomas’ position as one of the great modern poets has been much discussed, though this has not tarnished his popularity amongst the general public, who found his work accessible.

Forrest Gump is a 1994 American epic comedy-drama romance film based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom. The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise and Sally Field.

Waving American Flag Silver Cufflinks

The story depicts several decades in the life of Forrest Gump, a naïve and slow-witted yet athletically prodigious native of Alabama who witnesses, and in some cases influences, some of the defining events of the latter half of the 20th century; more specifically, the period between Forrest’s birth in 1945 to 1982.

Deco Bloom Cufflinks, $65

Let’s face it. Not only did Forrest Gump’s life effect ours, but so did his fashion. His clean cut, crisp looks captured the hearts of Americans everywhere and we still use his throwback looks today. Maybe it’s time to take a hint from Mr. Gump and re-modernize his fashion?

 Modernize the look

Take this simple collared shirt from H & M in a grey color and pair it with jeans (like in the photo). You’ll be more an urban, fashion-conscious Forrest.

Shirt from H & M $29.95

Modernize the look:

We especially love the blazer in the scene where Gump’s waiting for the bus. This new modern winter spin on the jacket can be found from Urban Outfitters. And of course, you have to get yourself a pair of running shoes from Nike, so you too can “run like the wind blows.”

GENERAL ASSEMBLY FIELD BLAZER $182.00 from Urban Outfitters

Modernize the look:

It’s true that Forrest went through many stages in his life and one of them was a stint in Vietnam. But even while trekking through the jungle, Gump has inspired us with his rugged, manly look. Pair these Army Helicopter Cufflinks with rugged work boots this season, like these from Doc Marten’s called the Men’s Pier Boot for under $149.

Army Green Huey Helicopter Cufflinks