The Best Style Moments in "Scarface"
Miami in the early '80s. Need we say more?
Image via Complex Original
Nearly 30 years ago, the film Scarface was released and immediately redefined the American Dream for several generations to come. Starting in the gutter and then rising to the top of the world, Tony Montana became a figure that everyone wanted to emulate, even if it meant going out with a bang. The influence of the film still resonates throughout current-day culture, and you can barely listen to a hip-hop album without at least a few references to Scarface.
The movie glorified the excess and possibilities that the cocaine trade offered to anyone willing to get their hands dirty in the early '80s. Cars, women, and exotic animals were all up for grabs, but the most important thing to up-and-coming coke lords were the clothes. As soon as Tony and his partner Manny Ribera start caking, they immediately begin flossing in flashy suits and jewelry. But they're not the only ones who embody the coke steez that prevailed through the outlandishly opulent '80s. From henchmen to trap lords, these are The Best Style Moments in Scarface.
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Tony Montana
In the first shot we see of the film's protagonist, Tony Montana is rocking a fresh floral shirt that would command attention today. It's a far cry from the flashy suits and trap-lord gear that he'll show a preference for later in the film, but even in his humble beginnings Tony showed he had a flair for flashiness.
Manny Ribera in Freedom Town
Manny and Tony get sent to Freedom Town, where they wait out their days in a crowded tent city underneath Miami freeways. It's a temporary refugee camp, but that doesn't mean Manny slacks on his style. The bright red chinos and striped tank are a perfect way to spend the sweltering days until they can get their Green cards.
Tony Montana
This is the sporty gear Tony wears when he's playing basketball, which is more stylish than anything you've ever worn to a basketball game. Before LeBron, before Durant, and before 'Melo, Tony Montana was wearing Givenchy-esque birds of paradise shirts and a headband over dad jeans. This look would jerk in 2013, as it did back in the '80s.
Random basketball player
This guy brought some crazy style with him to the U.S. With the floral shorts over the brown pants and cowboy boots, along with the shirt tied around the waist, this dude clearly raised flags at the border with his uber-advanced steez.
Emilio Rebenga
This dude is the Tony Montana's first victim on U.S. soil, and he arrives at the Freedom Town refugee camp looking like a steezy office worker who's heading to the bar after a tough day. Rebenga's accessory game is on point. He's got the dope leather luggage, the round-framed glasses, and straw hat that's perfect for a tropical climate. Too bad he won't be needing any of these for long.
Random old man protesting
This old dude waving a 2" x 4" around his head has some awesome old man style. With is giant glasses, floral shirt, and high-waisted pants, he's not very intimidating unless you're about to get into a style war with him.
Omar Suarez and Waldo Rojas
These two henchmen who work for Frank are Tony's first glimpse into the stylish flashy world that coke money brings about. Their pastel suits and jewelry are indicative of the wild lifestyle they fund with dealing yayos, and Tony immediately knows that this is the life and look he needs to have.
Hector "The Toad"
They say you can't judge a book by it's cover, but Hector "The Toad" immediately comes off as a bad guy. Never trust a dude who greets you with this sort of smile, nor one who has a collar that nearly reaches past his shoulders.
Tony Montana
This shirt is hands-down incredible. Foreshadowing the tiger that later appears in the film, this Tony the Tiger shirt is what the future bawse dons when handling one of the most violent drug transactions gone wrong in cinematic history.
Angel Fernandez
With his shirt opened up almost to his belly button and his beaded jewelry, Angel looks like he doesn't have a care in the world. Unfortunately, that all changes moments after he's seen chilling outside the hotel room where Tony meets Hector.
Manny Ribera
His tinted glasses and speckled purple shirt attract a blonde passer-by, but it's not enough to seal the deal. Ultimately, that's a good thing, since he finally realizes that Angel's getting chopped up into itty-bitty pieces.
Hector's henchman
Dude is definitely evil, but can't fault him for rocking a really dope shirt with a seagull pattern.
Chi-Chi
Chi-Chi kind of saves the day, but his outfit is definitely lacking. We know it's Miami and all, but the bright orange fedora is never a good look, and neither is the amount of unbuttoned buttons in that entire ensemble.
Random bystanders
These two dudes are eyewitnesses to Tony merking Hector, and they're also a study in contrasts. The salty old dog on the left is a perfect example of why we can't wait to be old men and dress the part, while dude on the right is fighting the battle of the bulge...and losing.
Tony Montana and Manny Ribera
When you're meeting the big boss man for the first time, you better come dressed respectfully and appropriately. That means no sweaty T-shirts and headbands, but instead some flashy suits that show you can operate on his level. Tony and Manny meet Frank Lopez for the first time in some fly suiting. Tony's 3-piece suit with the open giant collar shows he can sartorially hang with the big boys, and Manny's perfectly fitted jacket with the orange shirt shows he ain't never scared, either.
Omar Suarez
This is a look that could only be attempted in the '80s. A black shirt under a white jacket is a bold move, and it seems like Omar took his integration into Yankeeland a little too literally with those huge pinstripes.
Frank Lopez's white and baby blue ensemble
Frank Lopez doesn't fuck around. While Omar's attempt to pull off a white jacket is definitely the wrong way to do it, Frank's look is shows exactly how it should be done. If only his future moves were as clean and smooth as this kit. Frank is definitely a man who appreciates fine clothing. He later tells Tony that he plans on getting him a whole new wardrobe so that Tony, Manny, and Chi-Chi look sharp in their new positions in Frank's crew.
Ronnie and Miguel Echevarria
Frank, Tony, Manny, and Omar may be stuntin' at the Babylon Club, but the Echevarria brothers are definitely in the running for best-dressed. Both brothers are wearing red shirts under their light colored jackets, and pull it off with the cavalier attitude that allowed them to set up their distribution business.
Nacho Contreras
You wouldn't know it from looking at him, but Nacho Contreras, aka El Gordo, is one of the richest men in the place. Just because he's dressed like a slob and fat as fuck doesn't mean that he won't squeeze every last dime out of his competition. So as for his style, what's a better accessory than racks of cash?
Tony Montana and Manny Ribera
After a few months of successful work for Frank, Tony and Manny are starting to dress like dudes who run Miami. Manny's sea-green polo is exactly how one should fit, and Tony's oversized coke-lord sunglasses are still influencing dudes like Rick Ross. Of course, the best accessories in this scene are the opulent fruity drinks that each guy is sipping on.
Tony Montana and Manny Ribera
Tony and Manny are turning into one of the steeziest duos in Miami. Tony's giant sunglasses balance out his dark shirt under the beige blazer, and Manny as usual is keeping it casual with an open shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Of course, the most stylish item they bring with them isn't clothing, but it's the tiger stripe interior of the bright yellow Caddy they're cruising in.
Tony Montana
When he goes to reconnect with his mother and sister, Tony puts on a suit that speaks to the success he's found. What he doesn't realize is that his mother will resent the means he's utilized, and his clean white suit speaks volumes about his day job.
Manny Ribera
Manny Ribera might as well be nicknamed The Patterned Shirt Gawd in Miami. This floral shirt is just the right amount of pattern to pop underneath a light blue jacket. This is a warm-weather combo that'll kill the competition in most if not all scenarios.
Alejandro Sosa and Omar Suarez
Alejandro Sosa is the embodiment of elegant tropical breezy steez. Dressed in various shades of coke-white gear, dude has clearly established himself above the flashy world of Miami that's represented by Omar's extra-long double-breasted suit.
Tony Montana
At this point, Tony is a well-established member of Frank's crew. He proves this by wearing a jacket similar to the pinstriped one Omar was wearing when Tony first met Frank for a trip down to Bolivia. But as this is his first foray doing business outside of the town that Frank runs, the machine gun-wielding soldier behind Tony lets him know that he ain't in Kansas anymore.
Alberto aka "The Shadow"
This is one scary looking motherfucker, and his unique manner of dress only highlights his craziness. Who the fuck wears a Nehru jacket in the Bolivian tropics?
Frank Lopez
As Tony cuts deals with Sosa, Frank's reign as head honcho is at its initial demise. But that doesn't mean the dude doesn't stop dressing well. In another white and powder blue combo, Frank still exudes an air of style and power, even if it's all an image at this point.
Tony Montana
Peep the gold and the silk. Tony's definitely on his way to the top, as he pretty much tells Frank how to run his business with Sosa at this point. At this point, just call this dude 2 Chainz.
Manny Ribera
This is the first time in a minute Manny isn't wearing a printed shirt, but that's because, as Tony's No. 2, he's coming into some scrilla himself. He can now join Tony in upping his silk shirt game, and pairs this navy piece under the light grey suit nicely.
Tony Montana
This is probably the most outrageous poolside outfit anyone has ever worn to lay out in the sun. However, Tony and his pinstriped double-breasted suit, along with an honest plea to Elvira Hancock, wins her over and eventually makes her his. So maybe wearing your favorite ridiculous suit to the pool isn't such a bad idea, after all.
Fernando
When this dude put on his glittery striped blazer, red shirt, and white scarf to go out dancing with Gina, he never thought the night would end up the way it did. This guy should wait until he's more than just a thug for Lugo before trying to dance with Tony's kid sister.
Tony Montana and Manny Ribera
Now that they work for themselves, these guys are really coming into their own in terms of style...and selling cocaine.
Mel Bernstein
A chief detective in narcotics doesn't normally dress this fly, but this is Miami in the '80s. Dude is caking and clearly spending it in the right places with a dope popover under a light grey blazer. Definitely a solid summer outfit.
Frank Lopez
Frank's power may have waned severely, but he still dresses very fresh. The micro-dot red shirt with the white jacket and gold chain is something that would look good today. Even if he's on his way out, Frank's style is still very near the top of the game.
Comedian at the Babylon
The coke-friendly club's head comedian's jokes may fall flat, but his white tux is sharp as a tack.
Frank Lopez's assassins
The assassins sent to kill Tony at the Babylon Club have to look inconspicuous, so they're dressed pretty well to blend in with the high-class crowd. That means mixing patterns, opening a few buttons, and lots of jewelry.
Octavio
From the jungles of Caracas, Venezuela, Octavio has an old school style suit on with the suspenders and the high-waisted trousers. But his polka dot tie is a contemporary trend, and the mask he's wearing might make him fit in with Kanye, Justin Bieber, and Leonardo DiCaprio.
Nick "The Pig" and Chi-Chi
Chi-Chi hasn't appeared on-screen for a minute, but his penchant for fedoras clearly hasn't changed. As for Nick "The Pig," his Hawaiian shirt is insanely fresh and would sell out in an instant if it were on racks today.
Tony Montana
Fresh from the club, Tony's suit has gained a little bit of wear and tear, which only gives it some character. His $800 suit may be ruined, but right now it looks pretty badass with all the bloodstains and matching maroon sling.
Manny Ribera
Even though he's taking the role of the bringer of death, Manny keeps it clean in a pink shirt and beige pinstripe suit. The required gold chains and open buttons are in place, and we just hope that none of Frank's blood stained this impeccably crispy look.
Alejandro Sosa
Once again, Sosa dresses like a true trap-lord in all white and beige tones. If you plan on attending a wedding or ruling a cocaine empire from high up in the Andes mountains this summer, take a few style cues from this kingpin.
Tony Montana
Now that Tony's the top dawg in Miami, he dresses accordingly as the money piles up. Dripping in gold, he now rocks a white tuxedo shirt even though he's just chillin' at home conducting business with Sosa over the phone.
Tony Montana
What do you wear to bring a van's worth of duffle bags stuffed with cash to the bank? This, apparently. Tony's preference for red shirts again makes an appearance, as he puts in a visit to the local vault to make a little deposit.
Nick "The Pig"
Nick "The Pig" definitely knows how to dress for his size. A Hawaiian shirt never looks bad on a big dude, and if he were around today he wouldn't look out of place running around downtown NYC or L.A.
Jerry, Tony's banker
Tony and his crew are one set of flashy dressers, but this banker is all business. His conservative suit is perfect for his professional day job, but it doesn't mean he can't cavort with criminals.
Chi-Chi and Manny
At the opening of Gina's beauty salon, Chi-Chi finally forgoes his fedora and looks great in powder blue trousers, grey blazer, and pink tie. Manny is wearing a super bright micro-dot red shirt that pops under his cream blazer and beige trousers.
Nick "The Pig"
Another trip to the bank, another Hawaiian shirt for Nick "The Pig." This bright yellow piece is a banger, and pairs perfectly over simple grey trousers and cozy Saucony shoes.
Jerry, Tony's Banker
The banker is flabbergasted at this cash influx, but the suit he's wearing that's typical of bankers in the '80s is still stiff as a board. The conservative tie, muted colors, and all-buttoned-up-everything is in direct contrast to the suits in Tony's world.
Chi-Chi
Thankfully, Chi-Chi decides against wearing his signature fedora on Tony's wedding day. Instead, the pink accents and cream jacket make him look like a dude who's finally approaching Tony and Manny's level of steez.
Tony Montana
It's ostensibly the happiest day of Tony's life, and also one of the freshest. With a full boutonniere on the lapel of his white, three piece tuxedo, Tony's look is as clean as the yayo he's peddling.
Painter
We're still waiting to see if full jumpsuits will make it as a trend, but this painter would definitely appreciate the attempts of Adam Kimmel x Supreme and Pigalle. The clean white look is topped off with some cozy adidas as he unveils his most recent masterpiece: a giant portrait of Tony and Elvira.
Tony Montana
In case you doubt that black and gold will always be a dope look, just peep Tony behind his desk operating an empire in the combo. Equal parts menacing and grandiose, crews like NWA and the A$AP Mob were right in taking inspiration from Tony.
Manny Ribera
Going back to his sartorial roots, Manny rocks a fresh purple print shirt over cream colored pants. It's a break from the vibrant suiting that he's been wearing on the rise to the top, but coming full circle to a personal style preference that you had before is never forbidden.
Jerry, Tony's Banker
In the opulence of Tony's crib, Jerry's look appears even more conservative. The plain grey of his suit is a classic look with the tobacco grey oxford shoes, and he's clearly a man who cares about the way he looks. Just peep how polished he keeps his kicks!
Manny Ribera
We won't comment on the fact that Manny is watching Tony as he takes a bath, but we will say that that is one dope polo shirt. The simple gold jewelry and white pants only set it off, and if you're gonna have to chill with your homie while he takes a bath and yells at his wife, you might as well look good in a casual polo while doing so.
Seidelbaum
Seidelbaum's an old school cop, which explains why he's still rocking a shirt from the '70s. The giant collar and shininess of it are pretty gross, and it doesn't help that he's sweating his ass off from counting bills with Tony and Chi-Chi all night.
Seidelbaum's fellow undercover cop
This dude is rocking a super fresh shirt that would be an awesome find in any thrift store. The palm tree graphic with the two birds is something you just don't see anymore, and the black detailing on the light blue shirt makes this a dope piece. Unfortunately, that mustache ruins everything.
Sheffield
Tony's lawyer is the greatest lawyer in Miami, and has the classic rumpled look of an overworked legal man. But this look only makes it more obvious that he must be awesome at his job, since he gets Tony out of some serious jams.
Tony Montana
Fresh out of the slammer after posting a $5 million bond, Tony looks like he's about to head to the club in a clean striped white shirt, a few gold pieces, and a gun holster.
Alejandro Sosa
Tony heads down to Bolivia to meet up with Alejandro Sosa, who comes through clean in a white seersucker jacket and dark grey shirt underneath. Say what you want about this man's ethics, but you can't deny that he dresses like a true hawse.
Tony Montana
In a six button double-breasted charcoal suit with black shirt and pocket square, Tony shows up in Bolivia dressed to do business. It's a switch-up from his flashier get-ups, but switching your style up every so often keeps your contemporaries on their toes.
Pedro Quinn
The chairman of the Andres Sugar Corporation is one stylish businessman. Unlike his more casual peers, his tie and shirt are airtight, but he shows his debonnaire side by letting his pocket square dangle freely out of his pocket.
General Edward Strasser
The commander of the First Army Corps keeps it breezy in a crisp white shirt that's open at the neck and a light grey suit. He must welcome this meeting of Bolivia's leading powers at Sosa's crib as a welcome break from the military world that he normally operates in.
Ariel Bleyer
Ariel Bleyer is with the Ministry of the Interior, and is probably one of the best-dressed men in the Bolivian government. The soft herringbone blazer over a pale green shirt and maroon pants make for a bold combo, but the cajones it takes to rise up in the Bolivian government in the '80s made for bold style risk-takers.
Charles Goodson
Charles Goodson dresses like the Washington man that he is. A no-nonsense light grey suit is finished with a patriotic red, white, and navy tie.
Bolivian journalist
The Bolivian journalist that Sosa and his colleagues want dead shows up on television wearing a decent three-piece suit with a paisley patterned tie. It's not the greatest suit in the film, but the dude is competing with drug kingpins, so we'll cut him some slack.
Tony Montana
Back in the U.S., Tony can barely keep it together. But his wardrobe is still on the rise. Dude keeps it crispy in this tuxedo with the diagonal stripes on the shirt. It's definitely the sharpest thing about him at this point in his life, though.
Manny Ribera
Manny also keeps it classy in this high-end restaurant. In fact, this might be one of the few times when Manny comes close to out-dressing Tony. In a classic tuxedo with studded buttons, Manny could've hooked up with any woman in the restaurant if he wasn't secretly involved with Gina.
Tony Montana
Al Pacino takes it back to his New York City roots in a dark peacoat over white shirt and tie. As he and his crew track down the Bolivian journalist, he undergoes a full transformation from a flashy Miami hawse and soon looks like any other New Yorker in the early '80s.
Alberto "The Shadow"
As they wait for the Bolivian journalist to show up, Alberto is part of the crew on the stake-out in Tony's car. The white turtleneck under the trench coat is a move we didn't expect from "The Shadow," but he is a mysterious man full of unexpected style surprises.
Nick "The Pig"
This is the first time we see Nick not wearing a Hawaiian shirt. He's graduated to a khaki military style popover shirt that may be a sign of him maturing and gaining responsibility in the world of Tony's coke empire. If not professionally, at least he's expanding sartorially.
Alejandro Sosa
Now, we're not film majors or anything, but Sosa showing up swaddled in a red bathrobe is a pretty heavy-handed way of symbolizing him as the devil. When he hears about Alberto getting merked in NYC instead of the journalist, it's pretty obvious that the one time he doesn't show up in all-white means he's about to get all Satanic and shit.
Manny Ribera
By the time Tony figures out what's going on between his sister and his best friend, Manny's already robed up in this cream pinstripe piece that sets off his post-coital glow. Of course, this only infuriates Tony more, to the point where he bodies his best friend in his own doorway.
Nick "The Pig"
Turns out, Nick "The Pig" is a true unsung hero of style in the film. Throwing on a beige barracuda jacket over the khaki popover is a very advanced move, and the big man pulls it off with aplomb. Kudos to him for taking cues from a true boss, Alejandro Sosa.
Tony Montana
Take not: if you plan on going to war with a Bolivian druglord, make sure you clean up a little before making your declaration. Even though Tony's black on black pinstripe suit is definitely a power look, the coke that's all over his lapels wouldn't instill confidence in any but the most loyal soldiers.
Tony Montana's guard
He's just a low-level guard, but this dude is still able to make himself look good. With a checkered blazer and simple shirt and tie, this guy manages to stand out amongst the other non-stylish guards. Just goes to show that you don't need that kingpin money to dress well.
Alejandro Sosa's henchman
This dude doesn't know it, but he's about to be blown up by Tony Montana's little friend. But at least he'll go out wearing a dope silk shirt.
Alejandro Sosa's henchman
This guy gets the first hit on Tony, but his sick floral shirt then immediately gets torn up by Tony's much bigger and better gun.
The Skull
One of Sosa's assassins, known as The Skull, dresses like the ultimate badass. With a waxed green jacket that's easy to clean blood off of, black leather gloves, and wearing his sunglasses at night, this dude manages to body Nick "The Pig" and also Tony Montana in one night.