Why So Fabulous? Ranking Joaquin Phoenix's Best "Joker" Looks

It’s called fashion, darling, read a book.

Ever put on a hot pink blazer, lime green vest and electric blue cravat, then glanced at the mirror and wondered, "Too much?"

The Joker hasn’t.

Over 80 years, the iconic DC villain has proven to be an unlikely fashionista and style icon, which is perhaps the cost of mangling your face by either toxic sludge or self-inflicted mouth-widening surgery: sometimes, you’re just trying to redirect attention away from the ol’ moneymaker.

The actors who’ve played The Joker over the decades each tried to add their own twists to his infamous look, from OG Cesar Romero’s painted-over moustache, to Heath Ledger’s deranged nurse outfit, to the subtle tattoery of Jared Leto (who wanted to subliminally plant the seed in your mind that his Joker was damaged by literally tattooing 'damaged' on his forehead).

And then, there was Prince's own attempt for the Batman soundtrack, except, he kinda just looked the way Prince normally looked.

Now comes Joaquin Phoenix, star of Todd Phillips’ gritty new origin story, titled Joker. And as the trailers indicate, Phoenix is not phu**ing around.

Here's the teaser...

And the final trailer...

Let’s run down the Joker’s best looks (sorry: 'lewks') from his latest cinematic effort.

6. Open-collar white shirt and cardigan combo

The category is: Disturbed. When we first meet a pre-Joker Arthur Fleck in the teaser, he’s wearing a demure outfit that just screams, "I enjoy bathing my mother." Make it work.

5. Corduroy hoodie, grey vest and open-collar white shirt

See how the addition of a contrasting vest can make the white collar pop? Combined with a hoodie he'll put to better use down this list, Arthur brings joy to a small child's eyes (and genuine, deserved concern to the child's mother).

4. Plaid blazer with yellow vest and green wig

In a combination tailormade for holding one’s crotch in sheer agony, a sign-twirling Arthur demonstrates his respect for the clowns of yore with a classic and timeless red nose, tiny hat and giant lapel flower (presumably for shooting water into the faces of street toughs who beat you with your own sign).

3. Corduroy hoodie and red shirt

Visiting a friend at the Arkham State Hospital? Just standing awkwardly in an elevator while a restrained patient loses their bottle beside you? Don’t be afraid to add a splash of colour, as Arthur does in this dressed-down but respectable ensemble.

2. Cream shirt and burnt-orange vest

Did you know Joker is produced by great gangster filmmaker Martin Scorsese? No joke. This wiseguy get-up is perfect for a night of lighthearted stand-up in which you subsequently bomb on-stage and turn to a life of comedy-related crime.

1. Red suit, orange vest and green shirt

This is what we call boss mode. With a lapel gorge that could only be defined as cavernous, here we see Arthur at his most confident. The hair has been dyed (no wig necessary) and the makeup is less tear-stained. Most impressively, as seen elsewhere in the teaser, this suit seems to withstand getting hit by a taxi, allowing Arthur to still look his best even while upside down.

Très chic!

Joker arrives in Australian cinemas 3 October.

Update (29/8): This article was originally published on 4 April 2019 but has been updated following the release of the final trailer.

Header Image: Warner Bros. Pictures