Published on October 18, 2019
How To Pull Off John Wick’s Killer Style
“How many buttons?”
“…Two.”
“Trousers?”
“…Tapered.”
“How about the lining?”
“…Tactical.”
Thanks to stellar cinematography, A+ acting, and general badassery, John Wick became an action classic the second it hit cinemas. Whether you enjoy the movie itself is up to you, we’re not devoted cinephiles, but what we are devoted to is another element found in the movie and its sequels — his killer style.
*CAUTION — minor spoilers ahead (it’s been five years since the first movie, but just in case…)
The Creation of John Wick’s Style
Now three films into the franchise, John Wick is as famous for his taste in tailoring as he is for his love of dogs and his proficiency in killing with books and pencils (and more generally, any weapon you can think of). That said, as far as suited-up gunslinging heroes go, there’s another who’s even more top of mind and just as iconic.
If you’ve watched a Bond movie in the last however many years, you’ll know that James Bond cleans up well. Suiting up like Bondisn’t easy for most people lacking an MI6 expense account, but that’s not the case for John Wick.
His Costume Designer
Hollywood’s hardest to kill and best-dressed hitman has Italian costume designer Luca Mosca looking after his style. Especially during an era when most big-screen fights take place between characters wearing spandex and capes, Mosca’s suits are a breath of fresh air.
Legion of fans are understandably eager to copy the look. You may not have the personal tailor or the Tinseltown budget, but there’s nothing stopping you from swiping John Wick’s assassin-chic style.
The Full Breakdown of a John Wick Suit
Other than being black, what really makes a John Wick suit a John Wick suit? According to Mosca, “Keanu’s look is simplicity. It is a lack of entertainment, a lack of embellishment, a lack of pattern and color.”
A John Wick suit keeps things uncomplicated. Because life’s complicated enough when you’re a retired assassin on a retaliatory rampage, why deal with the added stress of an overly-intricate sartorial routine? Wick knows what he likes and sticks with it.
You might have noted the quote at the top of this page referencing the scene where Wick was ordering a suit with his tailor in Rome. Despite his request, his suit is not an authentic Italian style suit, but some elements certainly are. What we’re saying is, don’t use this as a basis for what Italian suits look like. This is for John Wick, he’s special. Though if you’re curious, read up on the differences between Italian vs. British. Vs American suiting.
The Suit Jacket
John Wick favors a single-breasted jacket with notch lapels, flap pockets, and a two-button front. He makes wardrobe choices wisely, with the utmost attention given to the physical demands of his profession rather than stylistic vibrato. Look closely and you’ll notice a double vent in the rear and higher armholes. These details afford him the increased range of motion his line of work requires. John Wick’s suit jacket is rarely buttoned closed for the same reason. One never knows when one might need to whip out a firearm or ride a horse through the streets of New York City.
The Suit Pants
On the bottom, the John Wick suit continues the theme of simplicity. His pants feature a flat front style over pleated, no cuffs and a higher rise to allow for movement. The leg is tapered but not overly slim, with very little break. You’ll never catch Wick getting tripped up by excess fabric or suffocating in a fit that’s too skinny (put a pin in the topic of fit for a moment).
The Dress Shirt
Wick cycles through several go-to dress shirt options. In most cases, you’ll see him sporting an extremely well-fitted dress shirt in white, black, or dark gray. In a rare departure from the “simplicity” theme, Wick has a predilection for French cuffs and cufflinks. We suppose we must allow for the possibility that the cufflinks could be yet another weapon in Wick’s hands.
On the occasions when he’s in the mood for something a bit more refined like a visit to the Continental Hotel, Wick will layer in a matching black vestor swaps it out to masterly pull-off a black turtleneck.
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John Wick’s Accessories
Neither Wick nor Mosca is the kind of person who overlooks details. Here are the accessories used to complete the look for John Wick’s suit.
The Basics
Wick’s pin-sharp tailoring is finished off with all-black accessories: black socks, black calfskin dress shoes, a black leather belt, and a black (or dark gray) tie. Fittingly, John Wick chooses these basic accessories much like someone should when they’re dressing for a funeral.
The Watch
Wick’s wristwatch is a little bolder. His timepiece is a Carl F. Bucherer Manero AutoDate, a watch that serves Mosca’s vision and is as Mosca tells it, “…incredibly elegant and clean at the same time — exactly my aim with John Wick’s suit.”
You should note that Wick wears it facing the inside of his wrist, a strategic and tactical move that shields it from both the glare of the sun and prying eyes.
The Extras
Wick can sometimes be seen sporting a tie bar, which makes sense given its unmatched ability to keep the tie in place when you’re gallivanting around with a gun. And as we pointed out earlier, John Wick digs cufflinks – a lot. This is the one time we see John Wick utilizing a fashion accessory in a way that is typically seen as “faux-paux” in the real world since cufflinks are typically associated with black tie and tuxedos.
John Wick’s Fit
Every well-dressed man knows fit is key. It’s all the more important when you’re constantly fighting your way through impeccably choreographed chaos.
Out of all the ways we’ve shamelessly promoted Black Lapel custom suits, this time might be easiest. In the film, John Wick has his suits made for him by a tailor played by Mosca himself. In reality, Keanu Reeve’s suits were also custom made made to account for the fact that he does many of his own stunts.
The suits themselves are custom fitting to maximize movement and flexibility, both in real life and on-screen, meaning they must be tailored precisely to the man moving around in them. Rumor has it almost 200 suits were made for a single costume in Chapter 3 – both as backups and to show the progression of wear and tear during various fight scenes.
You’re not moving like a top-tier assassin, so don’t worry about your made-to-measure suits wearing through, they are built to last and are your ticket to getting Keanu’s perfect fit.
The Suit Fabric
John Wick is a badass hitman with impressive combat skills and a knack for getting himself into, and out of, situations where he has to use them. He needs a suit that can keep up with his “active lifestyle.” For Wick, that means bulletproof fabric (it’s a real thing) and a certain level of stretch woven into the material.
We’d like to think Wick would appreciate our performance caliber Traveler Suit, built for the guy who is on the move. The specially-woven wool fabric makes the Traveler Suit more wrinkle-resistant and stain-resistant – in case you spill blood (or coffee) on it. It has a special weave that has been engineered to allow for natural stretch for increased comfort while you’re out avenging your dog (or during your commute).
The Styling Details
You have individual elements. Now how do you put them together to seal the deal?
Less Is More
First, think of a minimalist wardrobe. John Wick the movie is over the top, but John Wick the man is not. The sharply-dressed sharpshooter prefers a look that is reduced down to the essentials – clean lines, slim fits, simple color schemes, and few extraneous details. It’s the kind of look that can take you anywhere in style, whether you’re bound for work or drinks at the Continental or the catacombs of Rome.
Keep It Simple
Second, focus on the palette. Wick’s grim shades of black, white and gray aren’t just stylish, they’re a window into his inner world. He’s a man in mourning, an angel of death, someone with little access to hope or joy or light in his life. While grim, it’s an accurate representation and a clear example of how style is a direct expression of who we are.
In choosing this monochrome wardrobe, Mosca creates a kind of visual shorthand for the audience. He explains, “When we first meet him in John Wick it picks up at a point in life where he is grieving [the death of his wife], he is empty, he is full of rage. And all of these negative feelings are transmuted into the costume. There’s no joy, there’s no room for color. There’s no happiness, no serene blues, and greens. There’s no passionate reds and rusts. No. This is a costume that has no color, no passion. It’s a lack of everything.”
Wick’s look tells a story that is uniquely his. Mosca set out to define the character with a few pieces that are definitively and indisputably ‘Wickian’ – he is not an American James Bond or Kingsman clone, he’s his own man. In a franchise that relies so heavily on imagery, the wardrobe plays an essential role in storytelling.
You don’t have to be a movie star to borrow this move. Create a look for yourself that is recognizably yours by choosing a few key pieces that best exemplify your style and building around them. Then spice things up with the occasional bold accessory. You may even want to experiment with designing a minimalist wardrobe to keep your style moves ultra-streamlined. Wick doesn’t go for a lot of variety in his clothes, but he has a uniform that works for him and is now iconic.
The Attitude
John Wick is a lesson in suiting 101 which is taking things back to basics and making the most of them. You don’t need to blow your budget or go over-the-top when the age-old saying less is more works so effortlessly.
This stylistic attitude plays into a much broader theme of Wick, and beyond the character, of Keanu himself. The character and poise of John Wick are strikingly similar to Keanu (or how we see him publicly), and his humble, down-to-earth demeanor can be shown directly by his wardrobe.
Neither character nor actor is flashy or vain. Keanu is one of the most likable men in Hollywood, not just because he’s the kind of guy who takes meme stardom in stride, gives up his seat on a crowded subway, and waits in line in the rain to get into his own wrap party.
Because In The End…
You can be the best-dressed man in the room, but if nobody likes being around you, what good does it serve? Dressing well is one thing, being your best self is another; ‘style’ is not defined only by your clothing, but how you carry yourself. Keanu knows who he is and doesn’t let anything shake him. He’s good-natured, courteous, modest, laid-back, determined, eager to take on new challenges, full of life and, as an understated New Yorker headline proclaimed, too good for this world.
Be like Keanu.
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David Urbaniak says:August 23, 2021 at 4:14 pm
French cuff shirts and cufflinks are not just for formal wear. They are an incredible additional detail to the business attire of an executive and, when worn correctly, a statement of impeccable style and taste.
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FAQs
What kind of suit does John Wick wear? ›
His go-to choice? A tailored, three-piece dark suit. His go-to features are body-armor liners, two-button fronts, and tapered trousers. Wick keeps his suits simple but he always appears bold and ready-for-action and he looked especially dangerous in Rome – where he wore an all-black suit with red cufflinks.
Why does John Wick always wear a suit? ›Once he has put on his suit and tie, John is headed into battle, and he expressly intends for people to know it. To his enemies, John Wick's suit and tie are a signal that he is fully in assassin mode and are a "professional courtesy," as John might say, to prepare for his attack.
Why does John Wick always wear a black suit? ›In John Wick, the all-black suit is a recurring motif, a visual shorthand that tells us when John is at his most lethal. It first appears as he begins his reentry into the criminal underworld, and when he eventually dispatches his chief target, he returns to the comfort – and normality – of his pyjamas.
Does John Wick always wear a suit? ›John Wick typically wears a suit and tie in the John Wick franchise, due to both being a core part of his identity.
How much would John Wick's suit cost? ›What's the Price for the Suit? The custom tailored suit costs $20,000.
How much is John Wicks suit worth? ›$5000. If 5K is still out of your price-range but you are concerned about taking a slug to the chest, there's also the two-piece BulletBlocker suit, from a company of the same name. Also IIIA-rated, the BulletBlocker is $1200. We recommend starting with BulletBlocker's much more versatile Bulletproof Sportscoat: $1000.
Does John Wick have a weakness? ›Anger and Revenge: John's determination in going after his target is both his greatest strength and his weakness as he often refuses to stop pursuing them, even when it would be in his interest to do so, or even wait for a better opportunity to strike.
What was John Wick originally called? ›John Wick was supposed to be named Scorn, but Keanu loved the name John Wick so much the directors agreed to change it.
Why is John Wick a 15? ›Parents need to know that John Wick is a brutally violent, frequently bloody thriller starring Keanu Reeves as an assassin. There's a very high body count: Characters are shot, maimed, stabbed, beaten, threatened, killed with firearms at close range, blown to bits in an explosion, strangled with bare hands, and more.
Is John Wick American or Russian? ›Fictional character biography. John was born Jardani Jovanovich (Russian: Джордани Йованович, Belarusian: Ярдані Яванавіч) in Padhorje, Byelorussian SSR, Soviet Union on September 12, 1964. He was orphaned at a young age before being taken in by an old friend of his father, who would eventually become John's mentor.
What race is John Wick? ›
During their exchange, it's revealed that John Wick's real name is Jardani Jovonovich. He was an orphan from Belarus, the last of his tribe of Ruska Roma (Russian gypsies). The Director's people took him in and, John claims, they still owe him a tribal debt as the last of his people.
What does the tattoo on John Wick's back mean? ›The tattoo across his back that reads "Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat", translated from Latin into, "fortune favors the bold", is reminiscent of the motto for the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines.
What age limit is John Wick? ›John Wick is rated R by the MPAA for strong and bloody violence throughout, language and brief drug use.
Why are they afraid of John Wick? ›Intimidation: Due to his efficiency as an assassin and the determination with which he pursues his goals, John is widely known and feared within the assassin community. People who know his reputation are extremely cautious about provoking his wrath.
Where does John Wick get his suit from? ›In the film, John Wick has his suits made for him by a tailor played by Mosca himself. In reality, Keanu Reeve's suits were also custom made made to account for the fact that he does many of his own stunts.
Is there a full bullet proof suit? ›Built with nanotechnology
The entire custom suit acts like a shield, with nanotubes in the fabric hardening to block force from penetrating through. The Garrison Bespoke bulletproof statement suits were made to fulfill three important expectations: First, to be modern and stylish. Second, to be light and comfortable.
Perhaps one of the better-known bulletproof materials, Kevlar is a synthetic fiber that's heat resistant and incredibly strong. It's also lightweight, making it a popular choice for wearable bulletproof items. Kevlar is used in both military and civilian applications.
Is bulletproof fabric real? ›In the real world nothing is absolutely bulletproof. The Kevlar made bulletproof vests are actually bullet resistant and graded to a specific level of protection according to the international standards for ballistic resistance, one of the most used is NIJ 0101.04.
Is Keanu Reeves a billionaire? ›What is Keanu Reeves' net worth in 2023? Reeves has an estimated net worth of $380 million.
How much money did Keanu Reeves make from John Wick? ›And since the film has seen two more installments, 'John Wick 2′ (2017) and 'John Wick 3′ (2019). The rest of the films follow the consequences of the first. Keanu made $1 or $2 million for the first John Wick.
Who is John Wicks tailor? ›
Behind the scenes
The Italian tailor (Angelo) is played by Luca Mosca.
- 10/10 Light Yagami Is Smart Enough To Discover Wick's Name (Death Note)
- 9/10 Kenshin Is Capable Of Blocking Bullets With His Blade (Rurouni Kenshin)
- 8/10 Reborn Can Pull Off Impossible Shots At Faster Than Human Speeds (Reborn!)
He can quickly outmaneuver, outmatch or simply outlast his opponents, even being capable of taking on multiple enemies at once. John is able to adapt to his opponent's fighting styles, studying them during the fight and adapting to negate their strengths as seen when he faced Zero and his students.
Who is the highest in John Wick? ›John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum introduced the man at the top of it all. The Elder is the highest-ranking individual in The High Table. He lives out in the desert, miles away from civilization.
Is John Wick Russian or Italian? ›Background. John Wick (Keanu Reeves) was born Jardani Jovonovich in Belarus. He was an orphan, and was taken in by the Tarasov Russian Mafia where he was raised as an assassin.
What was John's impossible task? ›His superior, Viggo Tarasov, promised to allow John to quit if he first completed an "impossible task": killing all of Tarasov's enemies in a single night.
What is a famous John Wick quote? ›"Whoever Comes, Whoever It Is, I'll Kill Them! I'll Kill Them All!" This was John Wick at his most vulnerable. He said this quote at the end of John Wick 2, after being labeled "excommunicado" for killing Santino D'Antonio on The Continental grounds.
How many F bombs are in John Wick? ›45 F bombs spoken in English. Most of the profanity is spoken by the villains of the movie. John Wick says some profane items.
What does Excommunicado mean? ›1. to cut off from communion with a church or exclude from the sacraments of a church by ecclesiastical sentence. 2. to exclude or expel from membership or participation in any group, association, etc. an advertiser excommunicated from a newspaper.
What rule did John Wick break? ›John Wick earned that would-be death sentence because he broke The Continental's biggest rule: Do not conduct “business” – as in, don't kill anybody – on the premises. Ms.
What language did John Wick speak? ›
Conversation. A thing glossed over in John Wick films is John speaks every language. He fights someone Chinese, Japanese, French, Italian, Russian, etc and can quip at them in their language.
Who is John Wick's wife? ›Appearances. Helen Wick was the wife of the ex-hitman, John Wick. Helen's death serves as the catalyst to John's return to the world of assassinations, and she appears in several flashbacks and photographs. She is the posthumous overarching protagonist of the John Wick film series.
Is there a female John Wick? ›'Atomic Blonde' Is the Female 'John Wick' You Didn't Know You Needed.
What city is John Wick based in? ›New York City, also abbreviated as NY is a large, metropolitan city located on the southern tip of New York State in the northeastern United States. It is the most populous city in the country and is the primary setting for a majority of the John Wick franchise, appearing so far in all four films.
Who owns John Wick? ›John Wick is a film series created by Derek Kolstad and owned by Summit Entertainment, a subsidiary of Lionsgate.
What does 11111 mean in John Wick? ›At the end, Winston orders #11111. It is the same number as President John F. Kennedy's executive order (executive order 11111).
What does the dog symbolize in John Wick? ›The puppy, named Daisy, was a gift from Wick's wife. The significance of the puppy is that she was a gift from Wick's late wife, who died of leukemia. The dog was left behind so that Wick wouldn't be alone once she passed.
Is John Wick a Marine? ›Military Career
John Wick served in the United States Marine Corps, as evidenced by his tattoos. It was in the Marine Corps, he met Marcus. Though it appears that he was part of the military, it hasn't been confirmed.
Gentleman's Journal speak to costume designer and tailor Luca Mosca, who reveals the secrets behind the world famous John Wick suit... The John Wick suit is undoubtedly one of the most sleekly sophisticated pieces of tailoring ever to grace the big screen.
What kind of AR 15 does John Wick use? ›Taran Tactical TR-1 Ultralight
The Taran Tactical TR-1 is a competition shooting AR-15 chambered in 5.56x45mm. The particular configuration used in John Wick 2 included several modifications, including BCM Mod 0 stock, a compensator, a Trijicon Accupoint scope, and Magpul PMAGs with +5 extensions.
Where is John Wick suit from? ›
The John wick suits for every movie were designed by Luca mosca and he is a well known name in the styling department. For example he has dressed Gary oldman for the 2013 thriller paranoia and also Dwayne Johnson for the action film the skyscraper.
How much is a custom Brioni suit? ›In general, you're looking at paying a minimum of about $6,000 for a custom Brioni suit. If you want materials that are unique or incredibly expensive, custom pockets or other out-of-the-ordinary features, you really could spend about as much as you want.
What is John Wick's middle name? ›Jonathan "John" Wick, born Jardani Jovonovich (Джарданы Джовонович) and also known as Baba Yaga (Баба-Яга, "The Boogeyman") is the titular main protagonist of the John Wick film series.
What did John Wick's wife? ›Background. Helen was a famous photographer who met her future husband John Wick at a restaurant. Wick, was working for Viggo Tarasov and his criminal organization as a hitman at the time.
Why do Navy SEALs use Glock 19? ›It's smaller than most duty-sized handguns, like the M9, M17, and M1911. The Glock 19 is a good in-between size that allows it to serve as both a duty handgun and a concealable firearm. The CIA and Marines specifically wanted a concealable pistol with the Glock 19.
Why does John Wick tilt his rifle? ›Why does John Wick tilt his gun? John Wick uses CAR, or Center Axis Relock. It's a method of Close Quarters Combat (CQC) shooting that claims to bolster weapon retention and speed of target transition in extreme close quarters.
What handgun do Navy SEALs use? ›For now, the M9 continues to be the primary sidearm for U.S. uniformed personnel worldwide and the P226 continues to be the primary handgun of the SEALs.
Is John Wicks coat bulletproof? ›John Wick's bulletproof suit is made from a Kevlar-like material that is incredibly strong and durable. The suit can withstand bullets, knives, and other sharp objects without being damaged.
What makes a suit look expensive? ›A cheap suit is made of Polyester or Rayon and shines in the sunlight. It has a blend of cotton, recycled wool, and synthetic blends. However, an expensive suit is made of 100% virgin wool, well-made details, fine luster, and super wool quality.
How long does a custom suit last? ›The average lifespan of a good bespoke suit should last for 5 – 10 years. This also depends on the frequency of wear. The number above is based on a weekly wear. We also recommend that you should wear a specific Suit once a week and have a rotation of 5 Suits within that week.