The Errant Æsthete

What: Paul Schrader’s “American Gigolo” (1980)
Educational Value: Men’s Fashion/West Coast Studies/Debauchery 101
Synopsis: A Los Angeles hustler lives the high life with a coterie of married women until one of his clients is murdered.

The New York Times Moment recommends one of the classic films out of Hollywood that is considered quintessential viewing for the embellishments that came to define 80s hedonism: sex, sun, convertibles, drugs and shopping expeditions to Rodeo Drive.

Never mind the whodunit plot of “American Gigolo” — the movie’s Sodom-and-Gommorah-in-L.A. script is not its main appeal. It’s everything else from casting to costuming. John Travolta was originally cast for the main role, but he pulled out and Richard Gere, his replacement, instantly became a celebrity thanks to his believable portrayal of a hustler on the run; his on-screen chemistry with co-star Lauren Hutton and his now famous shirtless exercise routine didn’t hurt, either.

There was, however, another star born with this film: Giorgio Armani, who was not very well known in the States back then. When Gere’s peacock-like character, Julian, actually wore clothes, they signaled a strong new direction in men’s fashion. Gone were the 70s’ cheesy bellbottoms and triple-width lapels — Armani created Gere’s wardrobe of thin V-necks, skinny belts, sporty collared shirts and casual linen-y blazers, which are not unlike the ones that designers like Bottega Veneta’s Tomas Maier and Patrik Ervell showed this season. In that sense, American Gigolo is particularly relevant now — if you’re looking for ways to look sharp this summer while battling the heat, it is required viewing indeed.