Issue #52 | The Harrison Ford Moodboard

A Hollywood legend's timeless style

Feb 14, 2025

Harrison Ford, at 82 years old, is suddenly everywhere. After the fifth Indiana Jones installment in 2023, he’s currently starring in the second seasons of 1923 and Shrinking, and he plays the U.S. president and a Red Hulk in the upcoming Captain America movie. He just launched a campaign with Glenmorangie whisky, and he’s on the cover of the latest WSJ. Magazine, looking as unimpressed as ever.

wsjmag

A post shared by @wsjmag

What’s striking about the WSJ. cover isn’t so much that after sixty years of making movies he’s still a cover star, but his outfit: Ford’s wearing some kind of patterned board short, untied sneakers, and a black T-shirt that says “Hope.” Google “Harrison Ford” and “style” and scroll through the photos: the WSJ. cover is the only image you’ll find of Ford wearing anything less than a classic American fit. Harrison Ford is not a rule-breaker. He doesn’t experiment. He doesn’t fuss or fret about his clothing or appearance. He sticks with what works, what has always worked, and what will always work.

Despite Ford being a notorious curmudgeon, even still, I’ve always loved him. I grew up with him—with Han Solo, Indiana Jones, Rick Deckard, Jack Ryan, and Richard Kimble. He also, I think, looks remarkably like my dad, especially as they have aged. They were born in the same year and they’re both pilots, although I would argue that my dad is the better aviator, with zero crashes to Ford’s three.

See the resemblance? (That’s Ford in Scotland and my dad in Ireland.)

Ford has recently received some credit for his sense of style. Last year a photo went around the Internet of the actor dressed in navy shorts and a navy sweater at Cannes in 1982. It’s a straightforward outfit, but there’s something appealing about it. It’s as though men had forgotten how to wear short shorts, and here was Indy to remind us. When asked about the outfit by GQ, Ford said, “I think I’m going to be ill.” But he shouldn’t be. It’s a nice look, a little counter-intuitive with the long sleeve top, a classy summer outfit, a bit sexy-even. It’s classic Ford.

If there’s a term to describe Ford’s style, it’s All-American. Ford relies on American classics, which don’t need much in the way of tweaking or experimentation. In each of these photos he looks at once dapper, confident, and comfortable. He’s a father who hasn’t fallen victim to “Dad Style,” a successful man who doesn’t need to flaunt it. He’s stylish without being a Style Guy.

Ford’s rules of style are pretty straightforward. They include:

A navy blazer is always a good choice. Anytime, anywhere, dressed up, dressed down.
Clothes should fit. Not be fitted. They should fit you.
You can never go wrong with a sturdy pair of jeans
Wear a watch. A good one. Nothing flashy.
Sunglasses are an easy way to add a bit of cool to an outfit
Tuck in your shirt
Undo the top button

Or button it all the way up (if it’s a navy polo that matches your navy blazer)

Or leave it wide open when the day is done and it’s time for a dram of whisky

A notable thing about Ford’s style is that it hasn’t really changed in his fifty years in the spotlight. There may be a few tweaks with each era, but the overall vibe is more or less the same from the 1970s through the 2020s. It’s evidence that there really is such a thing as timeless style, that there are rules to good style, and that it helps to know them if you want to look good through your years.

The great, grumpy Harrison Ford is a useful guide.