Best-dressed gangsters on film

With the release of Only God Forgives - Nicolas Winding Refn's ambitious (and bloody) follow-up to 2011's Drive - the transformation of Ryan Gosling from Disney idol to edgy leading man is surely complete.

Gosling plays US ex-pat Julian Thompson, on a quest to avenge the brutal murder of his brother in Thailand - and sports yet another iconic look (we've all seen the waistcoat), joining a long list of similarly stylish movie gangsters. Whilst there are literally dozens to choose from, here are Style Pilot's top 5:

1. Vincent (John Travolta) and Jules (Samuel L. Jackson) – Pulp Fiction

Okay, so this may be technically two characters, but they are an inseparable pair. With Tarantino's stylish wit only matched by those classic black and white suits, it’s difficult to imagine Travolta and Jackson wearing anything else in one of their greatest roles to date.

2. XXXX (Daniel Craig) – Layer Cake

Craig’s seriously menacing presence as Layer Cake’s nameless protagonist surely wouldn't have been possible without the character's signature look: simple bootcut jeans and a maroon-lined black leather jacket. Without Layer Cake, Craig possibly wouldn’t have landed the role of James Bond, arguably movie land’s best-dressed character.

3. Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) – The Godfather Part I–III

Brando might have been the poster man for the first movie, but Pacino was the most charming in all three films. With smart slicked-back hair and classic suits that remained untouched even in his most volatile moments, Pacino was undoubtedly the Godfather of style throughout Coppola’s epic trilogy.

4. Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) – American Gangster

Portraying famous real-world gangster Frank Lucas, Washington combined a typically blistering performance with crisp beige suits in his brilliant takeover of the New York crime scene.

5. Michael Sullivan (Tom Hanks) – Road to Perdition

Sporting smart trench coats and swish fedoras (with a suave moustache to match), Tom Hanks made escaping mob bosses look easy. Classic suit combinations make this the most stylish role of the actor's career.

(Images: All Star)