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Gary Cooper: Enduring Style
Dressed up like a million-dollar trouper/
Tryin' hard to look like Gary Cooper/ Super duper
-"Puttin' on the Ritz," Irving Berlin (revised lyrics, 1946)
In 1946, when Irving Berlin revised the lyrics to his 1928 "Puttin' on the Ritz" to include those memorable lines, Gary Cooper had been a star for over 15 years, and it would have been hard for most men to look as super duper. He conveyed a straightforwardness and an honest, American handsomeness that seemed to both ignore and rise above the contrived glamour and studied posturing that had characterized so many other film heroes of those early years. No matter what costume he put on, he looked like he owned it. The camera loved him, and so did the box office.
But costume is one thing, and clothes are another. In his private life, and in those many early films where he wore contemporary clothes, he had devised and perfected his own debonair style that combined a perfectly tailored European wardrobe with all-American casual sportswear to produce the first, and still finest example of elegant, international, masculine style rooted in an American ideal of the everyman as hero. From the most casual sports clothing to the most formal white tie and tails, Cooper carried himself with uncontrived conviction.
Gary An Enduring Style is the first ever monograph focused on the timeless fashion and allure of this leading man who was a fashion inspiration to his Hollywood peers, clothing designers then and now, and generations of stylish men of every social strata, across the globe. Compiled of unpublished, never-before-seen personal photographs, shot primarily by his wife Rocky, Gary Cooper captures the cars, the mansions and ranches, the guns and gear, and of course the endless outfits for every occasion that this Hollywood icon ensconced himself in throughout the years. Whether hunting with close friend Ernest Hemingway, lounging with Cary Grant, horseback, poolside, or on the beach, on-set or after-hours, in the company of royalty or cowboys, Cooper had the perfect outfit for every occasion, embodying a type of refined masculinity rarely seen and in high demand to this day.
Tryin' hard to look like Gary Cooper/ Super duper
-"Puttin' on the Ritz," Irving Berlin (revised lyrics, 1946)
In 1946, when Irving Berlin revised the lyrics to his 1928 "Puttin' on the Ritz" to include those memorable lines, Gary Cooper had been a star for over 15 years, and it would have been hard for most men to look as super duper. He conveyed a straightforwardness and an honest, American handsomeness that seemed to both ignore and rise above the contrived glamour and studied posturing that had characterized so many other film heroes of those early years. No matter what costume he put on, he looked like he owned it. The camera loved him, and so did the box office.
But costume is one thing, and clothes are another. In his private life, and in those many early films where he wore contemporary clothes, he had devised and perfected his own debonair style that combined a perfectly tailored European wardrobe with all-American casual sportswear to produce the first, and still finest example of elegant, international, masculine style rooted in an American ideal of the everyman as hero. From the most casual sports clothing to the most formal white tie and tails, Cooper carried himself with uncontrived conviction.
Gary An Enduring Style is the first ever monograph focused on the timeless fashion and allure of this leading man who was a fashion inspiration to his Hollywood peers, clothing designers then and now, and generations of stylish men of every social strata, across the globe. Compiled of unpublished, never-before-seen personal photographs, shot primarily by his wife Rocky, Gary Cooper captures the cars, the mansions and ranches, the guns and gear, and of course the endless outfits for every occasion that this Hollywood icon ensconced himself in throughout the years. Whether hunting with close friend Ernest Hemingway, lounging with Cary Grant, horseback, poolside, or on the beach, on-set or after-hours, in the company of royalty or cowboys, Cooper had the perfect outfit for every occasion, embodying a type of refined masculinity rarely seen and in high demand to this day.
- GenresPhotographyNonfiction
200 pages, Hardcover
First published October 25, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 28, 2026
Gary Cooper: Enduring Style is a beautiful tribute to a Hollywood icon whose influence extended far beyond the silver screen. What makes Gary Cooper so fascinating is that his appeal never seemed forced. Whether dressed for a formal occasion, relaxing in sportswear, riding horseback, or simply enjoying everyday life, he possessed a natural confidence that made his style feel authentic and timeless.
I particularly enjoyed the book's exploration of how Cooper developed a distinctive approach to clothing that combined refined European tailoring with the relaxed spirit of American sportswear. Rather than simply following fashion, he seemed to understand how clothing could express character, confidence, and individuality.
The personal photographs make the book even more special. Seeing Cooper away from the cameras, surrounded by friends, family, beautiful landscapes, and the many settings of his extraordinary life, gives readers a more intimate appreciation of the man behind the legendary screen image.
What stays with me most is the idea that true style does not necessarily depend on extravagance. Cooper's enduring appeal came from the way he carried himself with ease, confidence, and an unmistakable sense of authenticity.
Gary Cooper: Enduring Style is therefore much more than a book about clothes. It is a celebration of a remarkable actor, a fascinating era of Hollywood, and a standard of masculine elegance that continues to inspire generations. For anyone interested in classic cinema, fashion, photography, or cultural history, this is a particularly memorable volume.
I particularly enjoyed the book's exploration of how Cooper developed a distinctive approach to clothing that combined refined European tailoring with the relaxed spirit of American sportswear. Rather than simply following fashion, he seemed to understand how clothing could express character, confidence, and individuality.
The personal photographs make the book even more special. Seeing Cooper away from the cameras, surrounded by friends, family, beautiful landscapes, and the many settings of his extraordinary life, gives readers a more intimate appreciation of the man behind the legendary screen image.
What stays with me most is the idea that true style does not necessarily depend on extravagance. Cooper's enduring appeal came from the way he carried himself with ease, confidence, and an unmistakable sense of authenticity.
Gary Cooper: Enduring Style is therefore much more than a book about clothes. It is a celebration of a remarkable actor, a fascinating era of Hollywood, and a standard of masculine elegance that continues to inspire generations. For anyone interested in classic cinema, fashion, photography, or cultural history, this is a particularly memorable volume.
January 12, 2012
My review at my blog:
http://sittinonabackyardfence.com/201...
http://sittinonabackyardfence.com/201...
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews