Miami Vice: the TV Show That Launched the Pastel Craze

Posted on July 21, 2006

Miami Vice was a hit detective show that ran for five seasons from 1985 to 1990. Guy Trebay analyzes the influence that the original Miami Vice TV show had on men's fashion. From pastels, to unconstructed jackets to stubble, to socks without shoes, Don Johnson's ensembles launched a fashion revolution.

Before Miami Vice, which was conceived as a cop show for the MTV generation, adult males were not often in the habit of wearing T-shirts under sports coats or shoes minus socks. Most guys without ties in the 1980's would have been considered slobs or candidates for the unemployment line. Pastel-colored trousers were reserved for caddies, pastel-colored vehicles for pimps. Suits in the late Reagan era were still substantially lined and padded and as rigidly shaped as Barcaloungers, although with sleeves. Loose, crumpled garments were considered work wear for convicts or gigolos. Hardly anybody without a begging cup wore a straw hat.

So what about the new Miami Vice feature film, starring Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell? Well, we have to say that in the trailers we've seen Colin Farrell has a lot more beard than one could safely call "stubble." And his new 70's moustache is horrifying (Guy's right -- it is a porn stache). Then, to top it off, he looks like he was dipped in oil before each shot. We know he's supposed to be going undercover and all, but really -- Don Johnson's Crockett never went undercover without looking really, really hot.

Jamie Foxx is also showing his love for unfortunate facial hair by sporting a ghastly goatee. We like Miami Vice. We like Michael Mann movies. And we like Colin and Jamie (although the word from the set was that the two stars absolutely despise each other and spent as little time together offscreen as possible). But we just don't know about the fashion stylings of the new Miami Vice. Perhaps there's a scene in the middle of the film where they both shave, shower, get manicures some good handshake maintenance, dress up in Armani and then go out and get some bad guys. Here's hoping.

Here's an intro clip from the pilot episode of Miami Vice.


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