Whether you know him better as the sexy psychopath from The Fall, souped-up super-perv Christian Grey or simply the best-looking male model Belfast has ever produced, the 36-year-old actor is always ridiculously well groomed. Here, the new face of Boss The Scent (and the man with he best hair this side of the Irish Sea) speaks exclusively to GQ about his hatred of shaving, his love of grown-up fragrances and a very particular pet style peeve…
My morning grooming regime starts late.To be honest, I’m woken up by my children, so my style and grooming doesn’t really come into play until I’ve fed them. I’m lucky if I get a shower in by noon. Having said that, I do think that it makes a world of difference if you can apply fragrance, because at least it gives you that sense of masculinity. It just adds that something you need in the morning.
I don’t understand how people have the discipline to shave every day.I can’t do it. I’ve had to do it for jobs in the past, but otherwise it simply wouldn’t cross my mind to be clean-shaven. Usually I’ll just let it get wilder and wilder until I’m told that I need to deal with it.
As you get older your tastes become more refined.You want something that elevates how you feel. I think Boss The Scent does that. It helps with that aura you try to project as an adult.
I’m very particular about fragrances. My wife is into them too and we’ll spend hours at Selfridges or Liberty. She’ll make me smell something and I am instantly like, “No, no, no.” I think Boss The Scent is seductive. It’s masculine.
I’ve exfoliated once in my life and it was by accident. I didn’t know what I was putting on my face. I thought it was a moisturiser with bits in. Someone booked me a facial when I was modelling. It was the only facial I’ve ever had and I think they exfoliated me there. Now and again, if I remember, I’ll put some moisturiser on, but just not every day, no way.
I want fewer clothes.My dream scenario is opening my wardrobe and having just 12 things in it. I live in the countryside and I’m in Wellington boots a lot, which means style goes out the window. If I do spend money on something really nice, chances are it’ll be covered in mud and dog hair instantly, so we keep that stuff in boxes at our place in London.
When in doubt, go back to something classic. If I can’t think what to wear, I’ll just put on a white T-shirt or blue shirt. Those kinds of pieces are timeless.
The feeling of wearing a tailored suit is unique.It’s also so accessible now. It doesn’t even need to be from the big labels: great high street companies will do made-to-measure suits for you too.
My favourite fashion brand?I’ve always worn a lot of Boss. When I was modelling I did four campaigns for them, so we’ve always had a bit of an association. I also like Hartford. It does great shirts. It’s French, isn’t it? So it’s just cool. It’s also very accessible. You can wear it at the beach but you could also wear it to a fancy dinner.
Image may contain Clothing Apparel Jamie Dornan Coat Jacket Human Person Overcoat Suit Man and Blazer
Steve McQueen is the epitome of masculine style. I struggle with the idea of masculinity. I always felt like a skinny kid growing up and I’ve always battled against that. McQueen had that thing where he’d look good in anything. He’d be as comfortable in a white T-shirt and a Harrington jacket with jeans as he would in a three-piece check suit. He just pulled everything off, which is hard.
But I also think (fashion influencer) Nick Wooster is cool. He’ll wear a grey tailored suit with yellow Converse high-tops and I’ll think, “I would never wear that in a million years.” Maybe it’s because of his haircut and his tattoos and his bodybuilder’s physique that he makes it work. People like that have influence and it’s important because it’s about freedom of expression.
Red wine is my greatest indulgence .I just spend more and more money on it, especially French pinot noir.
My pet style peeve? I call it “tucky bootie”, people who tuck their jeans into their boots. If you’re Johnny Depp or something and you’ve been doing it your entire life, then you can pull it off. It can look really tragic in other circumstances.
