January 3, 9:27 AM
by Stile E. Coyote, Men's Style Examiner

EACH YEAR THERE'S a man who rises to the top of his style game, impresses us all from either the shiny lights of the red carpet or from the hallowed halls of Washington. He leaves us breathless, wondering how on Earth he could dress so fine or carry himself so well.

This year, it was a short list to pick from: Barack Obama; Paul Newman; Thom Browne; Chris Martin; Michael Phelps; Gordon Ramsay; Christian Bale; Daniel Craig. I mean what, you wanted Leo DiCaprio on this list? Shepard Fairey? McCain? Pa-lease.

It's no coincidence the last two feuded for the title of summer blockbuster champ, with Bale's Dark Knight clearly taking the prize, but his missteps this summer and night in a London jail strip him from the style race.

The rest? Obama wears off the rack clothes and often a hat turned backwards (uggh). Browne — the designer, an icon in his own right — isn't known outside the fashion world. Martin, while well-known, was wearing that bizarre circa 1700 Napolean uniform all year. Phelps wore nothing, and when he did, it was straight from a college dormitory. Ramsay does looks great in jeans paired with a chef's jacket, but doesn't have much more style than that (and how is calling someone a "fat f*cking cow" stylish?).

Which leaves Newman and Craig. The passing of an American icon was indeed hard for us, as he inspired many and will be missed by many more. But his style — no disrespect for the great man — was entrenched long ago in our psyche, not in 2008 when we were merely reminded of it.

He showed the charisma of Obama with the style of Newman. When cameras were around, he performed flawlessly.

Daniel Craig, however, made an impassioned return to the James Band franchise with Quantum of Solace, proving he was the right choice to play the British agent a few years ago in Casino Royale sans Q and his gadgets; sans cheesy one-liners and supervillains. He got bloody. He stained his tuxedo. He was wounded emotionally and physically. He was mentally unstable.

He was, in fact, what we wanted. The wounded hero who fought for country, and was motivated by revenge.

And that tuxedo! What a tuxedo it was, what with its perfect fit — even if he stole it from a fellow opera-goer whom Bond disposed of — and simple lines. You see, dressed in Tom Ford, both Bond and Craig took the threads to a hightened level. While walking the carpet or being interviewed for a billioneth time, Craig showed the charisma of Obama with the style of Newman. He dresses the part of movie star, and never falters. When cameras were around, he knew it... and performed flawlessly.

Wear: Tom Ford suits (from $2,900), tomford.com; Omega Seamaster watch ($2,500+), omega.com

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