Dustin Hoffman - A True Icon of Ivy Style

From The Graduate and Beyond: Exploring a Timeless Wardrobe Legacy

Hoffman’s style wasn’t about adhering strictly to rules; it was about mixing comfort, practicality, and that subtle, intellectual cool that defined a generation.

Even before I first saw The Graduate, Dustin Hoffman has always struck me as an Ivy style icon. When I think of him, I picture him in tweed jackets, jeans with the perfect break, tennis shoes, and polo shirts.

What’s fascinating is that Hoffman grew up in the era when Ivy style was at its peak. It was the vogue of the time. Often described as “the most New York man who’s not from New York,” Hoffman’s persona embodies the essence of those stereotypical New York characters you might find in a Woody Allen film—but he grew up in Los Angeles. So, while he was immersed in that East Coast Ivy look, there’s also a hint of the West Coast flair in his wardrobe.

Hoffman’s style was also very much a product of his upbringing. He was born into a Jewish family, and though he wasn’t from the Ivy League, he did attend college at the prestigious Los Angeles Conservatory of Music. This gave him an interesting connection to the Ivy aesthetic, which, while deeply rooted in East Coast tradition, is something that transcends geography. Hoffman was particularly fashionable for his time—casual, comfortable, and still sharply put together.

It’s often noted that when he starred in The Graduate, his rise as a sex symbol created some tension with Steve McQueen, who found it strange that a “nerdy” guy like Hoffman was stealing the spotlight. McQueen, with his rugged masculinity, couldn’t understand why everyone adored the reserved Benjamin Braddock.

Little did the King of Cool know that the two would join forces in 1973, acting alongside each other in Papillon, a gritty prison escape drama based on Henri Charrière’s memoir.

Ivy Style in The Graduate

In The Graduate, Hoffman’s portrayal of Benjamin Braddock perfectly encapsulates Ivy style. His character embodies everything Ivy League students wore at the time, yet there’s a layer of irony beneath it. Ivy style in the 1960s was often self-aware, even satirical.

Benjamin Braddock’s fashion choices—like a seersucker jacket—seem to be an almost rebellious counterpoint to the expectations of his father’s generation. In today’s world, it’s hard to imagine dressing just to annoy your father, but at the time, wearing something like a seersucker jacket or a corduroy blazer could be an act of defiance. The contrast between the formal attire of the older generation and the laid-back Ivy look of the younger generation couldn’t be more pronounced.

What really stands out to me in The Graduate is the simplicity of Braddock’s outfits. The seersucker blazer is quintessential Ivy: classic, yet casual, with the soft shoulders and light fabric perfect for the hot California climate. Similarly, his cord jacket with the black polo shirt underneath captures that laid-back academic look. It’s a look you might expect a student to wear to class—a pair of jeans, a polo shirt, and a blazer to make it look like he’s made an effort. This balance of simplicity and thoughtfulness in his wardrobe makes it one of my favourite outfits from the film.

Ivy Style Made Approachable

Hoffman’s portrayal of Ivy style—whether conscious or not—made it more approachable for the masses. There’s a stereotype that Ivy style is all about oxford shirts, three roll two jackets, and repp ties, and while that’s true, there’s so much more to it. Ivy style encompasses a wide range of pieces, including casual garments like polo shirts, chinos, and loafers. It’s about blending elements of East Coast elite Americana with an easygoing sensibility, and Hoffman wore outfits that captured this perfectly.

He showed that Ivy style isn’t confined to campus life; it’s a versatile look that can be worn year-round, no matter your age. While it’s often associated with American college campuses, I see Ivy style as simply classic American clothing—rooted in tradition, but always open to interpretation.

What’s especially interesting is that Ivy style, despite being American, is deeply influenced by British tailoring. Many Americans who dressed in Ivy style were simply trying to emulate British elites, and this blend of British and American influences created a distinct look. Hoffman’s style captures this perfectly, blending casual comfort with sophistication in a way that feels effortlessly cool.

A Classic Look: The Life Magazine Shoot

One photo that always comes to mind when I think of Dustin Hoffman is a brilliant shoot he did with Life Magazine in 1967. Photographed by John Dominus, Hoffman’s outfit perfectly epitomizes Ivy style.

In the shot, he’s wearing a collegiate ring, a Tattershall check Oxford shirt, a striped repp tie, and a Prince of Wales check jacket. If that’s not Ivy style, I don’t know what is. But what makes this look even more striking is his hair. It’s slightly untidy, offering a ruffled, intellectual look that contrasts with the polished attire.

Hoffman’s hair looks like he’s just come from a long night of thinking, writing, or perhaps stressing over a big paper. Maybe I’m looking too deeply into it, but this little detail adds character to the overall ensemble, making him appear not just stylish, but relatable—a stressed, academic intellectual in the middle of his work.

Hoffman’s Influence on Modern Actors

Dustin Hoffman’s influence on Ivy style isn’t just a thing of the past—it continues to resonate with today’s actors. His portrayal of Benjamin Braddock, the reserved intellectual type, paved the way for modern portrayals of nerdy but fashionable characters in films.

When I think of actors like Jesse Eisenberg or Timothée Chalamet, I can’t help but think of Hoffman’s The Graduate character. Take Woody Allen’s Rainy Day in New York, for example. While it’s clearly a homage to Allen’s Manhattan, there’s something about the wardrobe and the intellectual vibe of the characters that echoes Hoffman’s portrayal of Benjamin. The influence of The Graduate is undeniable in shaping how Ivy style is portrayed in film today.

So, there are my thoughts on Dustin Hoffman and why I think he stands as a true icon of Ivy style. He not only captured the essence of Ivy in his iconic role in The Graduate, but he also made it accessible and relatable. His style wasn’t about adhering strictly to rules; it was about mixing comfort, practicality, and that subtle, intellectual cool that defined a generation. Hoffman’s take on Ivy was modern and timeless, making him a great source of inspiration, especially as we move into the colder months.

If you’re looking for inspiration for your own wardrobe or simply want to see how Ivy was worn in its prime, look no further than Hoffman. Just search him on Pinterest or Google Images—his style from the 60s and 70s continues to influence fashion today. Whether it’s his casual blazers, his mix of corduroy and chinos, or his perfectly balanced proportions, Hoffman remains a lasting symbol of understated style that’s perfect for the season. There’s an endless array of outfit ideas to take from his archive, proving once again that his influence on Ivy-style endures.