Peaky Blinders Fashion

Since it first aired in 2013, the Peaky Blinders look has become the decade’s ultimate fashion trend for men. A three-piece suit, white grandad collar shirt, tweed overcoat, brown leather boots and, most importantly of all, a flat cap, has become one of the defining pop culture-inspired aesthetics of recent times.

Though Peaky Blinders is now in its final season, its presence will live on after Tommy Shelby hangs up the baker boy hat for good. That’s because it’ll continue to exist via the baker boy hats bought on the back of the wildly popular series’ success. It’s no exaggeration to say that the British show is an influence in wardrobes up and down the country and across the world.

John Lewis saw sales of flat caps rise 83% when Peaky Blinders first hit our screens – a trend titled (surprisingly) the “Peaky Blinders effect. They’ve risen a further 25% annually ever since. You can see this effect manifested in the real world, too. Head to any pub in any town in the UK and there’ll be at least one man with a tweed flat cap placed on his head.

Featuring cufflinks, tie-pins and textures, I think every Englishman wants to wear a suit. Despite the many rumours that tailoring is on the decline, the Shelby gang and their copycats prove otherwise. And, in the fairly expansive timeline of Peaky Blinders, several eras of suiting have been covered: the big and boxy Twenties, the cinched Thirties and the broader, boxier Forties. With a few changes here and there, there’s every reason why it could work in 2022, too.

So, without further ado, here are the FIVE key elements to achieving a subtle Peaky Blinderslook.

  1. The Jacket

When it comes to your outerwear, your coat should be long, lapelled and heavy enough to withstand the depths of a Birmingham winter or at least the walk from the station to your office.

Peaky Blinders deliberately used longer coats to get that High Noon feeling, when the gangs are walking towards each other. Think Gunslingers going against each other, as their coats flap in the wind.

Getting the right fit and texture means spending money, but a great overcoat is more than worth the investment. It’s a truly timeless style that will last you for years, will elevate your outfit, and combine with a range of different styles, too. When it comes to material and design, Prince of Wales check, herringbone tweed and other heritage patterns and fabrics are good options, but you’ll do just as well with plain dark shades of charcoal, navy, racing green and black.

2.    The Suits

You need a good three-piece suit for the Peaky Blinders look. I’d suggest that you get the trousers narrowed and shortened. If you can opt for a bespoke suit then that’s great, but there are plenty of off-the-rack options that will do the job too – although I advise taking your clothes to a tailor to ensure they fit perfectly. Tweed, checks and textured grey, blue and brown suits are the order of the day.

Of course, if you want to go for the whole shebang, opt for a waistcoat too – but that comes with its own risks. If you don’t want to get mistaken for a waiter/Gareth Southgate, I suggest keeping your blazer on and steering clear navy and black.

3.    The Shirt

One of the most instantly recognisable aspects of the Peaky Blinders style is the gang’s rotating rail of stylish penny collar shirts. Featuring a smaller, rounder collar than your usual button-up, a penny collar acts as a solid middle-ground between the granddad collar and traditional collar shirt.

But a granddad collar won’t do the job. Style yours in crisp white and fully-buttoned. Or swap in something darker in soft flannel with a few buttons undone for a more casual winter weekend style. Of all the elements of the Peaky Blinders look, the grandad shirt is perhaps the most versatile.

4.    The Boots

An essential element in any even vaguely Blinders-esque look is a pair of solid, stylish and well-worn leather boots in dark brown or black leather. A good pair of lace up boots that go above your ankle.

A great pairing with the higher crop of your trousers, give yours a few laps around the park for the full effect. You might have a bit of a hard time wearing them in, but it’ll all be worth it.

5.    The Hat

They may seem intimidatingly bulky, but you needn’t worry about pulling off a baker boy cap. They’re really easy to wear. Pick the right six-piece section cap and I think you’d have a great outfit. Amazon have a good selection.

When it comes to authenticity and quality, Lock & Co Hatters is the place to go. The St. James Street institution has been crafting hats since the mid-1600s, so they know a thing or two. Alternatively, you could opt for a flat cap instead, which are a more understated expression of the look.

Also – and I really shouldn’t have to say this – don’t wear it backwards.