Robert Redford’s top 10 most influential Hollywood style moments as icon dies at 89

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Robert Redford was one of the most stylish actors to ever hit Hollywood.

He had a naturally stylish look that never seemed to age. Vogue described him as sharply and fashionably dressed, while GQ recognized him as a major influence in the world of fashion.

His looks on the silver screen ranged from Western grungy to slick 1930s tailored luster. 

I remember watching him in the 60s – he just *owned* the suit! He really became a star with ‘Barefoot in the Park’ in 1967, alongside Jane Fonda. He played Paul Bratter, a young lawyer just starting out, and he was absolutely captivating.

The 1969 film *Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid* helped bring back a Western style, popularizing items like denim shirts and cowboy hats.

Following Robert Redford’s portrayal of a rugged frontiersman in the 1972 film *Jeremiah Johnson*, a trend emerged where men began sporting long beards and wearing suede shirts.

His wide, colorful ties became cool after he starred in 1973’s fun film The Sting.

The 1973 film *The Way We Were* brought cable sweaters back into style. This was largely due to the character Hubbell Gardiner, played with effortless charm and wealth, who always looked good, even in something as simple as a bedsheet.

One of Redford’s most iconic films was the 1974 version of The Great Gatsby, which popularized tailored suits and made them a major fashion trend.

One of my favorite things about Robert Redford was how effortlessly cool he looked, especially in the 1970s. His film *Three Days of the Condor* from 1975 really let that natural style shine through – think relaxed and comfortable, but still incredibly put-together. And honestly, he looked amazing alongside Faye Dunaway; their on-screen chemistry and style just *worked*.

The 1985 film *Out of Africa* also influenced fashion, with the actor’s simple yet adventurous look of beige shirts and khaki pants becoming a popular style.

I remember when *Indecent Proposal* came out in 1993 – it really brought the idea of a ‘sugar daddy’ back into the spotlight. Robert Redford played this incredibly polished, wealthy older man, and his offer of money to Demi Moore’s character… well, it just perfectly embodied that whole dynamic. It’s a movie that definitely stuck with me, and I think it’s a big reason why that term is so well-known today.

While filming ‘Spy Game’ with Brad Pitt in 2001, he went back to his preferred style from the 1970s: a relaxed but stylish look featuring leather jackets, sweaters, and corduroy pants.

Redford died at the age of 89.

The acclaimed actor and Oscar-winning director, known for films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President’s Men, died Tuesday morning.

Robert Redford died peacefully at his home in Sundance, Utah, on September 16, 2025, according to his representative, Cindi Berger. He was surrounded by loved ones in the place he cherished most.

‘He will be missed greatly. The family requests privacy.’

Robert Redford became famous for his striking appearance in the 1960s, and his career peaked in the 1970s with memorable performances in films like *The Sting*, *The Way We Were*, and *The Candidate*.

He became famous for playing the Sundance Kid in the 1969 Western alongside Paul Newman, who played Butch Cassidy. They formed a well-known and beloved duo both on screen and off.

Beyond his acting career, Redford was a talented director. He won the Academy Award for Best Director in 1980 for the film *Ordinary People*, which also earned the award for Best Picture.

He was also instrumental in starting the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, named after the character he played in *Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid*. The festival is dedicated to showcasing the work of new and up-and-coming filmmakers.

The festival helped launch the careers of famous directors like Quentin Tarantino and Darren Aronofsky.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Redford continued to act in films like Indecent Proposal, The Last Castle, and Spy Game.

The celebrated actor, a two-time Golden Globe winner, last appeared on screen in the 2019 Marvel hit, Avengers: Endgame.

In 2023, he briefly appeared as Bob Woodward – the same character he played in All The President’s Men – in the HBO series White House Plumbers, though his appearance wasn’t officially credited.

Redford married Lola Van Wagenen in 1958 and the couple had four children before later divorcing.

Robert Redford experienced the loss of both of his sons. His eldest, Scott, died in infancy, and his younger son, James, passed away from cancer in 2020 at the age of 58.

He is remembered by his wife, Sibylle Szaggars, whom he married in 2009, and his daughters, Shauna and Amy.

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2025-09-16 17:52