2012 has been a hell of a year. We’ve seen a man break the sound barrier with his body, we saw a Korean rapper named PSY beat out Justin Bieber in YouTube views, and an irreverent seven-year-old named Honey Boo Boo captured the hearts of most of us.
We also saw Kanye West make front page news for wearing a kilt during a benefit concert, which brings us to our next batch of “Best Of” content for 2012: The Best Dressed Men of 2012.
We know that all of you may not agree with the list, we also know that there may be some discrepancies with the order, but we’re pretty sure that if you take some time to look up all the guys on our list, you will undoubtedly agree that not only was their swag on a trillion this year, but they definitely have a right to be here. Check it out and tell us what you think!
12. Theophilus London
Theophilus London has mastered the art of being a tall and skinny man with an amazing sense of fashion. The 6’3″ musician put out a collaborative shoe with Del Toro this year, a collection of clothing with Stussy, and a hat with 40oz NYC, all under his LVRS imprint. Even though Kanye may have done it first, Theo also managed to pull off the “kilt” a few times without it looking like a clear Kanye “bite.” He is currently modeling for Balmain and has become fast friends with Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, who featured Theo in his “Little Black Jacket” book. He has been featured in magazines ranging from Vogue to GQ, and is a staple during New York Fashion Week. With credentials like that, there is no way that Theophilus wouldn’t make it to our list.
11. Diplo
Thomas Wesley Pentz, also known as Diplo, got stoned and mixed really old records for half an hour, but he was probably well dressed while doing it. The DJ, who has worked with everyone from MIA to Usher, definitely has style. Usually you see DJs in t-shirts, but Diplo is more commonly seen in a button down shirt or even a suit while on the 1s and 2s. Diplo is one of the few guys who looks equally as cool in a t-shit, varsity jacket and sneakers as he does in a suit. Diplo may be a t-shirt and jeans kind of guy in the studio, but when it’s time for those cameras to flash on the red carpet, he is always suited and booted.
10. Dwyane Wade
D. Wade has an amazing style. When off the court he is always impeccably dressed. At times he has a bit of a hip-hop edge, but it’s always clean cut and his suits are always well tailored. He finished last year in the pages of GQ and this year, he made it to their Most Stylish list. We had to admit that the guys were on to something, because Dwyane is always expertly dressed, and although he may have a stylist to thank for this, it’s his swag and style that have kept him on the best dressed radar for so long.
9. Mark Ronson
Mark Ronson is one of those guys that you don’t see very often but when he is out, he’s making a statement. His look is part ’50s doo wop, part moody flair – but it always works. His fashion sensibilities got him a collection with Gucci at one point and if you think there has ever been a time when Mark was caught slipping this year, we challenge you to find a picture. He is one of the few men who we saw pull off a full head-to-pink suit and we loved it. His look always seems to be completed with a pair of black Ray-Bans and for the 2012 Olympics, Coca Cola had Mark help launch their global marketing campaign. Mark also helped carry the Olympic torch at the Olympic Torch Relay Finale Concert, and we’re pretty sure that he will carry the “torch” into 2013 as one of the year’s best dressed.
8. David Beckham
David Beckham looks good in just about anything, but the reason he made the list is because outside of being a soccer player, LA Lakers enthusiast and father, the man is also married to a designer and with the help of H&M, has become one himself. His suits always fit him just right and he seems to know the balance between just the right amount of facial scruff and too much. Beckham is definitely in perfect shape, which helps him look smashing in a suit, but when casually dressed, he always looks great without really trying.
7. Henrik Lundqvist
Hockey is often considered a game played by hooligans. But one of those “hooligans” managed to make it to our list. This year at the 9th Annual Style Awards, Henrik was named the Most Stylish Athlete and for good reason. The NY Rangers goalie, who sits front row at numerous shows during Fashion Week, is always freshly dressed himself – almost always in a fully tailored suit or cardigan and bowtie combination. The Swedish import knows a thing or two about being sartorially inclined and there are many men who could learn a thing or two about how a suit should look by paying attention to Mr. Lundqvist.
6. Amar’e Stoudemire
Having a uniform on court may be one thing, but knowing how to get dressed off the court is something in and of itself. While most basketball players are still dressing like they have never even heard of GQ, Amar’e made it into the magazine. He is one of the only basketball players to collaborate on a clothing line with a respected designer. And there are even fewer who have gotten the fashion co-sign by the Queen of Fashion herself, Anna Wintour (above).
5. A$AP Rocky
If you follow hip-hop or even pop culture at all, then there should be no arguments as to why we have this Pretty Mutha F*cka A$AP Rocky on our list. Rocky has made it known from Day 1 that he loves everything about fashion. He was front row at the Alexander Wang Spring 2013 Fashion Show and was even featured in one of Wang’s campaign videos. He is often seen in Rick Owens as if it’s his uniform, and without an album out, the man was in Vogue Homme Japan. He helped to put Black Scale and Hood By Air on the map and did most of it all in 2012. We also know that some of our female readers would not be happy if we did not mention his impeccable set of teeth (when they are not covered in gold).
4. Nick Wooster
Some of you may not be familiar with Nickelson Wooster, but if you have ever thought you looked fresh in a blazer, pant, tie, and shoe combination – chances are Nick was fresher that day. When it comes to putting together outfit combinations, prepare to worship at the altar of the Woost god by just typing his name into Google. There are hundreds of images of him simply walking down the street in pieces like camouflage blazers, bowties and yellow shoes that he seems to make work so effortlessly that it would put your wardrobe to shame. The man is almost never in anything more casual than a polo shirt and yes, it has helped him by being the Fashion Director at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. But remember this – fancy clothes and money don’t buy you style and Nick has a hell of a lot of style.
3. Ryan Gosling
Ryan Gosling doesn’t look bad in anything. We said it. The man could be in a v-neck t-shirt covered in dirt, or in a tuxedo on the red carpet, and there will be the same amount of people (mostly women) swooning over him. Sure, we attribute most of that to his face and abs, but it’s that face and abs that allow him to looks as effortlessly good as he does. If you disagree, ask your girlfriend how she feels about Ryan and then try figuring out why The Notebook is one of her favorite movies.
2. Scott “Lord” Disick
We don’t think we could respect ourselves as a hip-pop website if we didn’t give Scott – excuse use – Lord Disick his props. The man may come across as rude and obnoxious when he’s on Keeping Up with the Kardashians, but there has never been a time when he was on camera and wasn’t dressed like a million bucks. From the first time we ever saw Scott, he was always in a freshly tailored suit accessorized so perfectly that he could easily be on his way to a photo shoot. During his off days, Scott still has on a polo shirt and a pair of driving loafers. The level of prep savvy that the man has oozes through his pores, but we won’t call it that, let’s just call it swag.
1. Kanye West
What can we say that hasn’t already been said about Mr. West? Sure, he’s cocky and yes, he speaks without a filter, but when he steps into a room – you know. And chances are you’ll take notice of what he has on. If you spent any money on Givenchy t-shirts or Balenciaga sneakers this year, it was because of him (whether you want to admit it or not), and the sneakers that he released with Nike caused mass pandemonium when they were released. During the 12.12.12. benefit concert, his “kilt” got more attention than his performance. So much attention in fact, that there was even a spoof Twitter page started about it. And even though the man wore what some would consider a glorified skirt, he got away with it – and do you know why? Because he’s Kanye West – that’s why!
