On May 19th, Chubbie’s Instagram re-posted the WSJ article featuring Ford. For anyone looking to steal Ford’s Cannes look, Chubbies is a great place to start. The long-time purveyor of short-shorts capitalized on buzz following the photo. A good friend of mine who works in the fashion industry sent me the Chubbies post and I immediately recognized the picture. Then it popped up again when Inside Hook posted a shot from the same Cannes reel on July 23. That is when it occurred to me that I should re-examine Ford’s 70s and 80s style.
On July 13th, Ford’s birthday, British GQ posted a different picture from the 1982 Cannes Film Festival featuring the same navy outfit. Twice a coincidence, thrice a trend. Ford’s navy on navy resort fit had become a defining influence in Summer 2020 menswear. By mid July, as lockdowns were loosening up (for better or for worse), Ford’s influence was showing up as men ventured out into public.
Esquire saluted Ford on his birthday as well with a shot from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Esquire Spain posted a slideshow of Ford looking ruggedly handsome in some of his iconic film roles. Esquire Singapore dug up an old photo of Ford drinking espresso (above) in a suit and tie. After the Cannes photos proliferated through the menswear zeitgeist, journalist and enthusiasts were combing the Internet for Ford’s old looks – and so was I.