THE JOURNAL

Mr Steve Martin performing at the Community Center in Sacramento, California, circa 1975. Photograph by Mr Larry Hulst/Getty Images
Of the many tools in the professional comedian’s arsenal, “a sense of sartorial flair” isn’t necessarily considered an essential. Indeed, a cursory glance at the photos on the wall of The Comedy Store in London or New York’s legendary Comedy Cellar reveals that, when it comes to personal style, comedians rank only marginally behind (whisper it) magicians. That said, the way a stand up dresses can set the tone for their performance. It can establish their relationship with the audience, enhance their stage presence, and signpost their persona – be it everyman (Mr Jerry Seinfeld), elite sophisticate (Mr Greg Proops) or otherworldly oddball (Mr Milton Jones).
As a comedian myself, I’ve found my outfit to be a suit of armour – a slightly dialled-up version of my personal style, which makes me feel empowered and makes communicating my hugely important work (OK, frivolous nonsense) all the easier.
What’s more, there have always been a contingent of comics whose personal aesthetic is as enviable as their facility with a microphone and a punchline. Here are seven of the very best dressed comics, past and present.
01.
Mr Robin Williams

Mr Robin Williams in concert at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, California, 26 October 1982. Photograph by Mr Jeffrey Mayer/Getty Images
A performer capable of pyrotechnic feats of improvisation, dazzling rapid-fire impressions and uproarious stand-up, to say nothing of his genuinely magnetic on-screen presence as an actor, the much-missed Mr Robin Williams was a comedic whirlwind without equal. As well as comedy behemoth, Williams was also a huge streetwear devotee – described by his daughter Zelda as a “drip lord” – and proponent of labels from Bape to Issey Miyake to Yohji Yamamoto.
Seen here at the Great American Music Hall in 1982, Williams pairs a graphic-print, short-sleeved shirt with sneakers and black wet-look trousers, an outfit that can be worn with panache if you’ve got the confidence. The cap, which appears to be a deerstalker, might be a little trickier to pull off, but, as with his performing, Williams makes it look effortless.
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02.
Mr Tom Allen

Mr Tom Allen performs on stage at Absolute Radio Live in aid of Stand Up To Cancer at The London Palladium, 26 November 2017. Photograph by Mr Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
The nicest man in comedy has a speaking voice, and comedic delivery, as smooth as his immaculately-shaven scalp. But the impeccably dressed Mr Tom Allen is also a stickler for a well turned-out suit, as evidenced here with this double-breasted pinstriped number with fetchingly wide lapels – but, crucially, soft shoulders for a less boxy, 1980s look. Mr Allen’s love of formal suiting is such that, as a teenager, he harboured dreams of being a British butler. The English country house’s loss is comedy’s gain.
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03.
Mr Mo Gilligan

Mr Mo Gilligan on stage during the comedy night of the Teenage Cancer Trust concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London, 20 March 2018. Photograph Mr Matt Crossick/Alamy
Mo Gilligan’s style, much like his comedy, is razor sharp and modern. First finding fame via self-produced videos on social media, using only a few cheap wigs and his virtuosic character comedy skills, Gilligan soon blew up and has swiftly become a familiar and much loved presence on British television, as well as helming his own fast-growing production company.
Gilligan’s style is as versatile as his vocal mimicry. While he’ll frequently opt for a well-tailored suit when appearing as a judge on The Masked Singer, he often takes a more relaxed approach when performing stand up. Here, he combines dark-washed denim jeans, a bright block-colour hoodie and black jacket for a simple but truly effective look.
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04.
Mr Rhys Nicholson

Mr Rhys Nicholson performs live at State Theatre in Sydney, Australia. 20 February 2019. Photograph by Mr Don Arnold/Getty Images
There’s camp, there’s sensationally camp, and then there’s Mr Rhys Nicholson. The flame-haired Australian comic and (and, as he has pointed out, the possible illegitimate son of Mr Conan O’Brien) has a lethally catty delivery, as showcased in his superb Netflix special and as a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under. Tall and lean, Nicholson favours a slim silhouette that complements his slender frame – as evidenced by this slim-fitting three-piece suit, worn here with a penny collar for a less formal twist.
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05.
Mr Steve Martin

Mr Steve Martin appearing in a sketch on “The Ken Berry ‘Wow’ Show” on the Walt Disney Television series, 1972. Photograph by Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
One of our greatest living comedians, Mr Steve Martin performs, and dresses, immaculately. The “wild and crazy guy” had a bohemian period – as documented in his magnificent memoir, Born Standing Up, which reveals a surprisingly hirsute swashbuckling young man – but he swiftly settled into his chosen style.
A proponent of well-cut tuxedos and Ivy League classics, Martin is invariably one of the best-dressed man in the room, as well as (by some distance) the funniest. Seen here in 1972 (before the advent of his now-iconic silver hair), Martin pairs black tuxedo trousers with a narrow-wrap cream double-breasted blazer – a look which could also be achieved with a one-and-a-half-breasted jacket. Timeless.
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06.
Mr Richard Pryor

Mr Richard Pryor on stage in “Here and Now”, 1983. Photograph Columbia Pictures/Photofest
One of the most influential comedians of all time, Mr Richard Pryor’s work burned with fierce wit and righteous anger. He also happened to be a sensationally well-dressed performer, whether appearing in a slim-cut suit or, as he’s seen here, performing on stage wearing an oversized deconstructed blue jacket and trousers, paired with an orange tee. It’s a relaxed, eye-catching look, and casual soft silhouette is as on point now as it was when Pryor took to the stage in 1983.
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07.
Mr Ronny Chieng

Mr Ronny Chieng speaks with the press during a preview of “The Convention Sideshow” in Cleveland, 17 July 2016. Photograph by Zuma Wire/Imago Images
Mr Ronny Chieng doesn’t miss. The ascendent stand-up and actor is becoming an increasingly familiar face thanks to his work as a Daily Show correspondent, and stand out cameos in movies like Crazy Rich Asians and Marvel’s Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings. In his latest his Netflix special, Speakeasy, Chieng sports a flawless white single-breasted tuxedo jacket and studded dress shirt with black bow tie. And, seen here in 2016, Chieng elevates a classic navy blue suit by pairing it with a chequered spread-collar shirt and dark blue tie.
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Mr Max Olesker co-created and co-stars in his debut sitcom, Deep Heat, which is now on ITV2 and the ITV Hub