Jackets are the sartorial equivalent of getting a tattoo. Not only does it make a statement about their owner, but wear them long enough and they become faded and a little stretched.
On film, the coat makes up part of a character's personality. Just a glimpse of a collar or cuff and the viewer immediately knows who they're watching. Here we've looked at 25 of the best to ever grace the big screen.
Have we missed any out? Tell us in the comments below.
Back to the future
The jacket: Other than the power-lacing trainers, Marty's red puffa gilet was the only item we ever wanted to wear after watching Back to the Future.
Worn by: Marty McFly
Grease
The jacket: Slicked-back quiffs aside, Grease's T-Birds looked cool because they wore leather jackets.
Worn by: Danny Zuko
Drive
The jacket: A yellow scorpion stitched onto the back of a coffee-coloured satin bomber jacket doesn't exactly say instant classic, or indeed tasteful, but if anyone can make it look slick it's Ryan Gosling.
Worn by: The Driver
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
The jacket: Apparently the making of this jacket required several processes to get it just right, with the final product being overseen by the film's designers and Harrison Ford. You can even purchase your very own bona fide replica right here.
Worn by: Indiana Jones
The Wild One
The jacket: As the first film to explore biker-related violence, this jacket gained iconic status thanks to a very young Marlon Brando.
Worn by: Johnny Strabler
Rebel Without A Cause
The jacket: There is still some debate over what make of blouson jacket James Dean actually wore when filming Rebel Without a Cause, although the general consensus seems to be that he's wearing a classic Baracuta rather than a modified McGregor Anti-Freeze.
Worn by: Jim Stark
Taxi Driver
The jacket: Originally worn by protesters during the Vietnam war, the field jacket has been widely copied in and outside the army. Perfect attire for De Niro's troubled ex-Marine.
Worn by: Travis Bickle
The Matrix
The jacket: While Neo's floor-grazing jacket was undoutedly a piece of sartorial brilliance, it was Laurence Fishburne's Morpheus who stole the show with his calf-length alligator coat.
Worn by: Morpheus
The Sand Pebbles
The jacket: Peacoats were standard issue for the US Navy as early as 1881, as the double-breasted fastening and high collars were perfect for keeping the cold weather out. So it's no surprise we see Steve McQueen's rebellious naval mate, Jake Holman, donning said garment in The Sand Pebbles.
Worn by: Jake Holman
Fight Club
The jacket: Tyler Durden's laid back approach to dressing is precisely why his red leather blazer is still awesome.
Worn by: Tyler Durden
The Breakfast Club
The jacket: No high school movie would be complete without the jock character. And everyone knows the jock isn't complete unless he's wearing a Letterman jacket.
Worn by: Andrew Clark
Top Gun
The jacket: Tom Cruise's jacket in Top Gun was based on the original military flight jacket.
Worn by:Maverick
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
The jacket: The original jacket worn by Matthew Broderick has become a cult classic with the very one from the film recently selling for £18,000 ($30,000). If you're thinking about getting a replica here are the important things you need to know: it's tan, gray, and black pattern with metal rivets, black fabric cuffs and collar and zipper closure pockets.
Worn by: Ferris Bueller
Casablanca
The jacket: Few wear a trench coat as superbly as the suave Humphrey Bogart. Originally issued during the Boer war, Burberry's trench coat became associated with the underworld, thanks to Bogart's noir thriller roles.
Worn by: Rick Blaine
Casino Royale
The jacket: Bond doesn't always have to wear a suit. Case in point: Daniel Craig in a leather jacket.
Worn by: James Bond
Wolverine
The jacket: As Wolverine has metal claws in his hands his clothes needed to be hard wearing, which is why his leather jacket includes a thick lining.
Worn by: Wolverine
Trainspotting
The jacket: Ewan McGregor's bomber jacket epitomised the youth culture he depicts in Trainspotting. While his sartorial charm most definitely falls into the category of 'heroin chic' that doesn't make him look any less brilliant.
Worn by: Renton
Get Carter
The jacket: Issued for service men in the trenches during World War I, the trenchcoat has long since established itself as a classic. Michael Caine's Aquascutum version, which he wore in Get Carter was sold for £7,500 at Bonham's in 2011.
Worn by: Jack Carter
It Should Happen To You
The jacket: Endorsed by royalty, the mac (a favourite of the Duke of York in 1825) was the perfect addition to Jack Lemmon's dishevelled look.
Worn by: Pete Sheppard
Von Ryan's Express
The jacket: Also known as the A2 jacket, this was worn by Frank Sinatra to give his character a tough edge.
Worn by: Colonel Von Ryan
Quadrophenia
The jacket: Way before the Gallagher brothers made the parka an ubiquitous part of Britpop, there was classic mod flick Quadrophenia.
Worn by: Jimmy
Submarine
The jacket: Since Richard Ayoade's coming-of-age film came along, there's a new king of duffle coats. Enter Oliver Tate, played by Craig Roberts, who's mastery of said coat outshines any bear wearing a red hat.
Worn by: Oliver Tate
Skyfall
The jacket: Once again, here's Bond not in a suit. In this year's Skyfall (no spoilers), Bond dons Barbour's classic waxed jackets. On another note, it's the much loved jacket of the Hackney hipster. Although, don't expect to see Bond in Dalston any time soon.
Worn by: James Bond
The Aviator
The jacket: The leather aviator jacket worn by Leonardo DiCaprio is ideal for his character's pilot status.
Worn by: Howard Hughes
The Dark Knight
The jacket: Q: What does Batman wear when he's not fighting baddies in Gotham? A: a leather bomber jacket.
Worn by: Bruce Wayne
Latest
Related Reviews and Shortlists
