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FELLAS, IS IT WEIRD TO DRESS LIKE TOM HOLLAND IN
THE ODYSSEY?

Armour and leather sandals? Skip. But a great tunic and an even better belt? I'm listening

BY  MAHALIA CHANG

Most of the time, I don't envy anyone in The Odyssey. I don't want to! After spending nearly three hours watching them being chased around by giants, lost at sea, and, like, murdered, I went home and bed-rotted extra hard in sheer relief. I love indoor plumbing. I love arch-support footwear. I love Deliveroo!

But there was something in the film that made my brain go, Weeelll... and it was Tom Holland playing the baby-faced Telemachus. First, in a rough-spun earthy tunic with an open neck, a thick brown belt around his waist. Later, overseeing that big-ass fight in the banquet hall wearing a heavenly off-white shirt, after he'd shucked off his armour.

Maybe it goes back to the Star Wars of it all - the start of several of my awakenings - but there's something about tunics. They're simple things: boxy, collarless, and usually belted. Nowadays, if you wanted to pick one up, it would have all the modern bells and whistles: button plackets and stand collars and rounded cuff edges. But the joy of the ones in The Odyssey is their rustic vibe. They're not for nights out in Dalston. They're for long vacations in beachside towns where phone service is spotty and the drinks get poured strong. They probably won't make it to the Instagram photo dump, but you can bet they'll feature in every post-swim beer, cobbled-together dinner and firepit deep-and-meaningful.

Listen, I'm not here to tell you to dress like Telemachus in The Fucking Odyssey (Steal His Look! Tunics To Wear While Killing Mommy's Suitors With Dad!). I'm merely suggesting that tunics may be back on the menu. But instead of going ultra-modern, it's not a bad idea to strip it back to basics. Go for a buttonless placket, an earthy tone like brown or olive green, and a boxier shape (no slim cuts, please). Cos does these real good, as do Luca Faloni and Brunello Cucinelli.

Once you've got your tunic of choice, head more modern with your styling to avoid comments like "Oi, lost ya dad?" and "Are you that yoga instructor who embezzled all that money?" on the train. Tuck it into a flowy black trouser, add a chain (or a beaded necklace, if you like the boho thing a bit more), and throw in some chunkier shoes like a Padror or a slim boot. Any sandal here might be too on the nose. If you wear it untucked, don't be afraid of that belt. Telemachus' was wide and tied at the hip, probably because they hadn't invented stuff like buckles yet. Yours can still be wide, but incorporate some newer elements like weaving or studding, which still feel a bit rough and tumble. Anderson's and Molebo do good stuff here.

We know it's tough to entertain wearing anything that prompts the Google Shopping tabs to also suggest Viking cosplay from Etsy. But not tougher than fighting a hoard of 7ft monsters while you're wearing sandals. So, you know, context.

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"One week without regular football on every night and I've started screenshotting photos of Arsène Wenger in Nike-branded double-breasted trench coats. Send help!"
Mahalia Chang, senior style editor

Office-sourced hits from GQ HQ

"Polyester tops for fancy dress parties? Bad. Immaculate linen tunics from the good folk at Luca Faloni? Very good! For those wanting to buy into The Odyssey vibe, as suggested above, here's one that won't make you look like you're headed to a Renaissance Faire."
Mahalia Chang, senior style editor