Michael Caine as Alfie Elkins in Alfie (1966)
Vitals
Michael Caine as Alfie Elkins, charming part-time car service driver and full-time cad
Middlesex, England, Summer 1965
Film: Alfie
Release Date: March 24, 1966
Director: Lewis Gilbert
Wardrobe Supervisor: Jean Fairlie
Background
During his stay in a convalescent home earlier in the movie, Alfie Elkins (Michael Caine) befriended Harry Clamacraft (Alfie Bass, hey his name actually is Alfie!). Alfie later returns to visit Harry, who requests that Alfie give a ride to his tired-looking wife Lily (Vivien Merchant) in his Rolls-Royce.
The reluctant ride turns into a summertime seduction as Alfie and Lily make a fateful stop for “a nice cup of tea.” As Alfie admits to us:
Well, what harm can it do? Old Harry will never know. And even if he did, he shouldn’t begrudge me… or her, come to that. And it’ll round off the tea nicely.
What’d He Wear?
This brief, pivotal scene features Alfie sporting a comfortable take on a preppy leisurewear ensemble, layering an olive sweater over a pale blue cotton shirt with a long button-down collar, plain front, and button cuffs, similar to the white button-down shirts that Alfie wears with his navy mohair suit.
Alfie’s wool v-neck sweater is colored somewhere between olive and artichoke green without much contrast between the jumper and his trousers. The sweater has raglan sleeves, which he rolls up over the wrist for a cuff.
“Cheer up,” Alfie tells Lily just before embarking on the last thing that could possibly help her do so.
His gray flannel flat front trousers have straight pockets along each side seam and two jetted pockets in the back. They fit straight through the legs and are finished with plain-hemmed bottoms.
Appropriately for his drive into the country, Alfie wears a pair of dark brown pebble-grain leather penny drivers. These moc-toe drivers have a strap across the vamp like a classic penny loafer with the rubber-grommet soles that define a driving shoe. Alfie appropriately wears his for a leisurely weekend afternoon with thin dark navy socks.
The closest approximations to these shoes that I’ve been able to find are the Calvin Klein “Ivan” from Macy’s for $130 and the pricier Hugo Boss “Men’s Dandy” for $255. The most price efficient option I’ve seen are the Asher Green “Flager” for just $40 on Amazon. (All prices and availability as of May 2017.)
Alfie and Lily take an innocent tea at the York House and surrounding gardens in, Twickenham.
Alfie wears the same jewelry on his left hand throughout the film: a gold ring with a brown oval stone on his pinky and a stainless watch with a black Omega-style dial and a steel bracelet.
While sipping his tea, Alfie observes that Lily doesn’t seem very happy… but that’s none of his business.
How to Get the Look
Vivien Merchant and Michael Caine, sourced from an original lobby card for Alfie (1966)
Alfie dresses comfortably and casually for a weekend afternoon in Middlesex, layering a v-neck sweater over a button-down shirt with flannel trousers and brown pebbled penny drivers.
- Pale blue oxford cloth shirt with button-down collar, plain front, and button cuffs
- Olive wool v-neck sweater with raglan sleeves
- Gray flannel flat front trousers with straight/on-seam side pockets, jetted back pockets, and straight plain-hemmed bottoms
- Dark brown pebble-grain leather moc-toe penny drivers
- Black dress socks
- Stainless wristwatch with a black dial on steel deployable-clasp bracelet
- Gold pinky ring with a brown oval setting
Do Yourself a Favor and…
Buy the movie
