Joe Keery Is Trying Something Funky With His Hair and Clothes

Spotted in London’s Soho neighborhood on Monday, Keery’s look reminded me of a micro-era that once had its own folder in my photo albums: the sporty-chic courtship of Jamie Dornan and Keira Knightley, circa 2003-2005. Like the London lovebirds’ shared style back then, the Stranger Things actor’s fit was simple, smart, and easy to replicate: maroonish zip-up leather jacket, brown corduroy pants, low-top sneakers, and a pair of Brat-esque sunglasses, nestled right into his Labubu-like mop of hair.

Perhaps it was the signature neutrals-forward British color palette, or the cigarette being crushed to death in Keery’s fist, but his casual yet club-ready outfit made him look like he’d stepped right out of Love Actually and into a Boiler Room set. The spiky haircut—a cross between Jackass maestro Johnny Knoxville’s spikes and Jon & Kate Plus 8 reality star Kate Gosselin’s swoop—only stirred the multi-referential stew. Which, given the actor’s flair for irreverence, I can only assume is intentional.

But Keery seems to be Eurotrash, indie sleaze, or both, and either way I’m totally here for it. When he kicked off this final Stranger Things press cycle at the season-five premiere in Los Angeles last week, he wore all-black, head-to-toe Gucci by Demna. The fit was perfectly tight (a prerequisite for either style genre) and his frosty-tipped hair was so busy, it looked like he had both a mop-top and a faux-hawk. But hey—debuting a wacky new mane right as your big show is about to return? Smells like good timing.