See 24 Years of Keanu Reeves’s Red-Carpet Looks - Slideshow - Vulture

November 1, 2013 3:00 pm

See 24 Years of Keanu Reeves’s Red-Carpet Looks

By Margaret Lyons

Photo: SGranitz

Keanu Reeves has played action heroes, time travelers, doofy boyfriends, dashing doctors, and the red-pill–taking savior of the world. He’s also been a red carpet presence since the mid-eighties, donning more than his fair share of boxy suits, dumpy boots, and scraggly haircuts. Journey with us through some of his best — and some of his worst — sartorial moments through the years.

Baby Keanu! This is pre-Parenthood Keanu. Pre-Bill and Ted. This is TV movie–era Keanu.

Baby Keanu! This is pre-Parenthood Keanu. Pre-Bill and Ted. This is TV movie–era Keanu.

This is at the Independent Spirit Awards, though you'd be forgiven for thinking it was at the Sloppy Motorcycle Outfits awards.

This is at the Independent Spirit Awards, though you'd be forgiven for thinking it was at the Sloppy Motorcycle Outfits awards.

And the hunk torch was passed, from Swayze to Reeves....

And the hunk torch was passed, from Swayze to Reeves....

Again with the sloppy moto duds.

Again with the sloppy moto duds.

With Sofia Coppola. Note this early appearance of construction boots. They will come back. A lot.

With Sofia Coppola. Note this early appearance of construction boots. They will come back. A lot.

See?

See?

What is in that bag? Or is that a scarf wrapped around random possessions? Why is he bringing that to a screening of Last of the Mohichans?

What is in that bag? Or is that a scarf wrapped around random possessions? Why is he bringing that to a screening of Last of the Mohichans?

Kinda wish those weren't hiking boots, but otherwise, this feels like a step up.

Kinda wish those weren't hiking boots, but otherwise, this feels like a step up.

Aw, cheer up.

Aw, cheer up.

This outfit is presumably from Chicos, home of the flowy-cut linen outfit. (Hi again, construction boots.)

This outfit is presumably from Chicos, home of the flowy-cut linen outfit. (Hi again, construction boots.)

Speed!

Speed!

Oooh, oversized suits from the Chandler Bing collection.

Oooh, oversized suits from the Chandler Bing collection.

He went through an earthtone-suit phase. It was the '90s. Lots of people did.

He went through an earthtone-suit phase. It was the '90s. Lots of people did.

Not to be a grumpy dad, but...take that schlubby hat off.

Not to be a grumpy dad, but...take that schlubby hat off.

You don't see a lot of people wearing a suit jacket over a leather motorcycle jacket.

You don't see a lot of people wearing a suit jacket over a leather motorcycle jacket.

The guy cleans up well, though. (There's a lot going on with that shirt, Jimmy Fallon.)

The guy cleans up well, though. (There's a lot going on with that shirt, Jimmy Fallon.)

Hello, we are perfect human specimens, and we look amazing in formalwear.

Hello, we are perfect human specimens, and we look amazing in formalwear.

What'd we say about cleaning up nice? See?

What'd we say about cleaning up nice? See?

Props for adhering to the rule of not buttoning the bottom button.

Props for adhering to the rule of not buttoning the bottom button.

It sort of looks like this a weird disembodied prop hand, but fear not. That's Reeves's arm. And tattoo.

It sort of looks like this a weird disembodied prop hand, but fear not. That's Reeves's arm. And tattoo.

And now we return to the underwhelming footwear. Those are some scuffy boots, friend.

And now we return to the underwhelming footwear. Those are some scuffy boots, friend.

Ugh, you're a mega attractive super rich movie star! Throw those shoes in the garbage, they are hideous.

Ugh, you're a mega attractive super rich movie star! Throw those shoes in the garbage, they are hideous.

Whereas this is pretty darn perfect.

Whereas this is pretty darn perfect.

A little on the shiny side, but what's life without whimsy.

A little on the shiny side, but what's life without whimsy.

Speed reunion! God damn those two look cute together.

Speed reunion! God damn those two look cute together.

These boots aren't bad per se, but they don't really go with the (terrific-looking) suit.

These boots aren't bad per se, but they don't really go with the (terrific-looking) suit.

And they really don't go with this suit.

And they really don't go with this suit.

Or this one.

Or this one.

It's easy: Formal outfit, formal shoes.

It's easy: Formal outfit, formal shoes.

Keanu Reeves, president of the support group for dudes with patchy beards.

Keanu Reeves, president of the support group for dudes with patchy beards.

Pre-distressed jeans? Never again.

Pre-distressed jeans? Never again.

Great head of hair, well-tweezed eyebrows, but man. Patchy beard.

Great head of hair, well-tweezed eyebrows, but man. Patchy beard.

Oooh, rock-star-y.

Oooh, rock-star-y.

Keanu Reeves has had a lot of different haircuts. This is among the best.

Keanu Reeves has had a lot of different haircuts. This is among the best.

This is not the sad Keanu photo, but it is a sad Keanu photo.

This is not the sad Keanu photo, but it is a sad Keanu photo.

Again with the dumb boots!

Again with the dumb boots!

And some different clashing boots...

And some different clashing boots...

Again?!

Again?!

Ah, sweet relief.

Ah, sweet relief.

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