Style

John Krasinski suits up for his big new role

By: John Mather; Photographs: Richard Phibbs; Text: Michael Slenske
Apr 3, 2008 - 12:13:53 AM



John Krasinski Photo Gallery – Click Thumbnail to View Full Size


As Jim Halpert, the moppy-haired paper salesman on NBC’s The Office, John Krasinski has given hope to lovelorn cube farmers across the nation. “I love his ability to see the world for what it is and not get caught up,” says Krasinski. “He may come off as unambitious, but at the same time, he doesn’t suffer the pitfalls of heartbreak. He’s just happy where he is.”

In his own professional life, however, the 28-year-old actor isn’t content unless he’s taking chances. While filming the fourth season of The Office and editing his forthcoming film adaptation of David Foster Wallace’s thorny story collection Brief Interviews With Hideous Men (“I did a reading of the book at Brown that was one of the defining moments of why I wanted to keep acting”), the former high school b-baller donned shoulder pads to film his biggest role to date in Leatherheads, George Clooney’s witty comedy about pro football’s rocky beginnings. In it, Krasinski plays Carter Rutherford, a 1920s gridiron war hero who helps Dodge Connelly (Clooney) save the failing league. “The way I describe it is that I finally get what my dad is feeling when he recommends movies to me,” says Krasinski. “He gets nostalgic just thinking about them, and this has that feel. It’s sort of like being at a barbecue on the Fourth of July.”

This longing for classicism carries over to this jeans-and-a-sweater guy’s sartorial outlook as well. “My style is ‘lucky casual.’ I’m kind of lucky if it looks good, because I really didn’t try,” laughs Krasinski. “But you never know, at any moment I could become some huge fashionista.” To get a feel for what that moment might entail, the Massachusetts native traded in his drab Dunder Mifflin duds for the trophy in every professional’s wardrobe: a well-cut business suit. Hewn from dark cashmere and fine wool, these minimalist two-button suits confer boardroom prowess on men of any persuasion, be it office pirate or leatherhead.

© Copyright 2007 Best Life Magazine