I choose Renton. There are certain characters in movies whose style has stood the test of time, becoming iconic: Alabama Worley in True Romance, Mrs Robinson in The Graduate, Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face, Margot Tenenbaum in The Royal Tenenbaums. All mega chic women that my own everyday style has nothing to do with. No, I see more of myself in the grimy, thieving, heroin addict Mark Renton. I think I started wearing suits with trainers when I had to smarten up for meetings because that’s how Renton scrubs up for court – mostly giving in, except for trainers.
Nostalgia aside, Renton’s take on layering, for example, is genius. The autumn-winter 16 bomber jacket trend? How Renton. The long-sleeved sweatshirt? That’s Renton. His clothes are designed to make a run for it in, to go out all night and then skip home in, to be easy to get in and out of and that don’t require an overcoat, a heel, or even buttoning up. Clothes that, individually, no one wants to borrow, but together, create a look everyone wants to imitate.
What is it about '90s style that lingers? The T-shirts, the zip-ups, the low-slung jeans, the tiny hoop earrings – they must be more than a teenage hangover. Despite the fact that rave culture is dead as dead, these items continue to be photographed on musicians, models, actors and creatives in every relevant style and youth culture magazine.
Trainspotting didn’t capture the heart of British youth because of the intravenous injections of heroin – that was something only a small number could relate to. The masses and I love Trainspotting because of the music, the one-liners and absolutely because of the style, a style that in almost every way is the antithesis of fashion. Renton is dressed in the apparel of a skaghead, a junkie, but also a rebel, an anti-establishmentarian, a non-conformist. Those were the words from which the punk look was born. They’re also the words that started a French collective called Vetements.
And so, to Renton, my anti-fashion hero, and the looks he brought to my life...
Battered Hi-Top Converse
The least likely, most durable shoe in history, Chuck Taylor All Star Converse have an average lifespan of 15 years. Good for: everything including hikes, storms, and diving into the worst toilet in Scotland.
Photo: Figment/Noel Gay/Channel 4/REX/Shutterstock
Adidas Three-Stripe Zip-Ups
Part of the reason I love Renton's style is because he always looks like he's wearing the same thing, but he isn't. The adidas three-stripe zip-up has never wandered far from fashion, most recently seen on grime artist Stormzy. Worn here while Renton is going cold turkey at the pub with his parents, it's the perfect "I'm well not into this" item.
Photo: Figment/Noel Gay/Channel 4/REX/Shutterstock
A Stupid T-shirt
If there’s one garment that sums up this film, it’s this ill-fitting canary yellow T-shirt with a sprawling beach woman on it. I have several similar crass T-shirts that make obvious, over-the-top statements about – I don't even know what.
Photo: Figment/Noel Gay/Channel 4/REX/Shutterstock
Long-Sleeved Sweatshirts
The top-half look of 2016, you could buy a hundred variations of long-sleeved sweatshirts at brands like Aries, Vetements, Ashish, Justin Bieber merch, Urban Outfitters. I have at least 17 of these bad boys in my wardrobe.
Photo: Figment/Noel Gay/Channel 4/REX/Shutterstock
Layers
Even Vogue.com used this picture of Renton to demonstrate the trend for tying things around your waist. Ideal if you're on the run, playing with draping, or a bit hot.
Photo: Figment/Noel Gay/Channel 4/REX/Shutterstock
Athleisure
Oh look, another long-sleeved sweatshirt and three-stripes of adidas and so we build an idea of how mine and Renton's wardrobes work: lots of the same. Before athleisure, there was Renton. Come summer, I'll be in a green and white sweatshirt, little white shorts, socks and Converse. Perfection.
Photo: Figment/Noel Gay/Channel 4/REX/Shutterstock
Camouflage
Just a perfect day, drink sangria in the park – wearing camouflage. On parkas, jumpers, beloved sweatshirts, combat trousers and caps, camouflage is the only print I've ever felt at home in.
Photo: Figment/Noel Gay/Channel 4/REX/Shutterstock
A Little Bomber Jacket
From the frontmen of every indie band, to Ryan Gosling in Drive, to young Renton here, these little bombers are the jackets of lead characters. I can't bring myself to throw away my Fred Perry bomber with the signature red check lining – and this photo is why.
Photo: Figment/Noel Gay/Channel 4/REX/ShutterstockLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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