How to Dress Like Colin Farrell in Sugar: The Art of Effortless Tailoring
Posted: Sep 15 2026
How to Dress Like Colin Farrell in Sugar: The Art of Effortless Tailoring
Classic Hollywood style, impeccable suits and a wardrobe that proves you don't need to dress loudly to make an impression.
There's something about Colin Farrell's wardrobe in Apple TV's Sugar that makes you want to reconsider every suit hanging in your closet.
Playing private detective John Sugar, Farrell spends much of the series navigating Los Angeles in beautifully tailored suits, crisp white shirts and understated ties. His wardrobe is remarkably simple, yet he consistently looks like the best-dressed man in the room.
The inspiration comes from classic Hollywood detectives, but the execution is thoroughly modern. Think 1950s film noir, minus the oversized trench coats and exaggerated proportions.
So what exactly makes his suits look so good? And more importantly, how can you recreate the look without becoming a private detective?
1. Start with the Perfect Dark Suit
The foundation of John Sugar's wardrobe is a collection of dark, impeccably fitted suits.
Black, charcoal grey and midnight blue dominate his wardrobe. These are classic colours that work in almost any setting, from a business meeting to an evening out.
But the real secret isn't the colour. It's the cut.
Sugar's jackets have clean shoulders, a gently defined waist and enough room to move comfortably. They're neither excessively slim nor particularly loose.
The trousers follow the same principle: a clean silhouette with enough room through the thighs and a natural drape.
Source: https://www.apple.com/ca/tv-pr/originals/sugar/episodes-images
How to get the look:
Choose a two-piece suit in charcoal or midnight blue, ideally in a medium-weight wool. Ask your tailor for a structured but natural shoulder, a moderately shaped waist and trousers that fall cleanly over your shoes.
Avoid anything excessively tight. A suit should follow the shape of your body, not cling to it.
2. Pay Attention to the Fabric
Source: https://www.apple.com/ca/tv-pr/originals/sugar/episodes-imagesOne of the most interesting details of Sugar's wardrobe is the choice of fabric.
Costume designer Christie Wittenborn incorporated mohair into the suits, partly for its distinctive texture and subtle sheen, but also because of its resilience. With Farrell performing numerous action sequences, the fabrics needed to retain their shape while allowing him to move freely.
Mohair is particularly interesting for tailoring. Often blended with wool, it produces a crisp, elegant fabric that resists creasing and has a slightly lustrous finish.
It also happens to be a good option for warmer climates.
For anyone living in Bangkok, a lightweight wool-mohair blend offers an excellent combination of breathability, structure and elegance. At Tailor On Ten, we're big believers that choosing the right fabric is every bit as important as getting the fit right. A beautifully cut suit made from the wrong cloth will never feel quite as good as one designed around how and where you intend to wear it.
3. Keep the Shirts Simple
If you're expecting an extensive collection of patterned shirts, you'll be disappointed.
John Sugar almost exclusively wears white dress shirts.
No bold stripes, colourful checks or elaborate collar designs. Just crisp white shirts that fit exceptionally well.
It's a deliberate choice that allows the tailoring to take centre stage.
His shirts feature French cuffs, adding a subtle touch of formality without looking overly elaborate. The costume department reportedly used dozens of white shirts to maintain the character's consistent appearance.
Source: https://www.apple.com/ca/tv-pr/originals/sugar/episodes-images
To recreate the look, choose a white cotton shirt with a semi-spread collar and a tailored fit.
The collar should sit neatly around your neck, the sleeves should finish at the correct length, and there should be no excessive fabric bunching around your waist.
A white shirt might be the simplest item in a gentleman's wardrobe, but when it's made properly, it's also one of the most effective.
4. Choose Understated Accessories
Sugar's accessories follow the same restrained approach as the rest of his wardrobe.
Dark ties, discreet cufflinks, elegant leather shoes and occasional suspenders complete his outfits.
There's very little unnecessary decoration.
The ties are particularly well chosen. Rather than introducing bright colours, they rely on subtle patterns and texture to create interest.
This is an excellent approach for anyone looking to build a versatile wardrobe.
A navy silk tie with a subtle woven pattern, for example, will complement almost any grey or blue suit.
Likewise, a pair of polished black Oxford shoes will rarely look out of place.
The trick is to choose accessories that enhance the outfit rather than compete with it.
5. Make Sure You Can Actually Move in Your Suit
Source: https://www.apple.com/ca/tv-pr/originals/sugar/episodes-images
One of the reasons Farrell's suits look so natural is that they were designed for movement.
John Sugar doesn't spend his days sitting behind a desk. He's constantly walking, driving, running and occasionally finding himself in situations that are rather unfriendly to expensive tailoring.
Wittenborn explained that the suits were specifically made to accommodate Farrell's athletic build and the physical demands of the role.
This is an important lesson for everyday tailoring.
A suit might look fantastic when you're standing perfectly still in front of a mirror, but what happens when you sit down, raise your arms or walk across the room?
The armholes, shoulders, chest and trousers all need to work together.
Good tailoring isn't simply about removing excess fabric. It's about creating a garment that fits your body while allowing you to move naturally.
And that's something no amount of expensive fabric can compensate for.
6. Build a Wardrobe That Works Together
Source: https://www.apple.com/ca/tv-pr/originals/sugar/episodes-images
Perhaps the most useful lesson from Sugar is the idea of having a consistent personal style.
John Sugar doesn't reinvent his wardrobe every morning.
He knows what works for him and sticks to it.
Dark suits, white shirts, understated ties and beautifully made shoes.
It's a relatively small collection of colours and styles, but the combinations always work.
You can apply the same principle to your own wardrobe without wearing a suit every day.
Start with a few versatile pieces: a navy suit, a charcoal suit, several well-fitted white and light-blue shirts, and a selection of classic ties.
Choose fabrics and cuts that complement one another, and you'll find that getting dressed becomes considerably easier.
There's no need for dozens of suits when a handful of exceptionally well-made ones can do the job.
Getting the John Sugar Look at Tailor On Ten
Source: https://www.apple.com/ca/tv-pr/originals/sugar/episodes-images
The beauty of Colin Farrell's style in Sugar is that it doesn't depend on unusual clothing or extravagant accessories.
Almost everything he wears is a menswear classic.
What makes the difference is the quality of the fabric, the precision of the fit and the attention paid to the smallest details.
For anyone looking to recreate the look, we'd recommend starting with a dark navy or charcoal bespoke suit in a lightweight wool or wool-mohair blend.
Pair it with a crisp white tailored shirt, a dark silk tie and classic leather shoes.
Keep the silhouette clean, the accessories simple and the fit comfortable.
At Tailor On Ten, we believe a great suit should look just as good at the end of the day as it did when you first put it on.
And if John Sugar has taught us anything about dressing well, it's that sometimes the simplest wardrobe is also the most stylish.
Ready to create your own version of the look? Explore our bespoke suits and shirts at Tailor On Ten.
