Actor Chase Stokes broke into the spotlight at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 as the masses quarantined at home and binge-watched his hit Netflix show “Outer Banks.”
Four years later and just a few days before the release of the show’s highly anticipated fourth season, Stokes is now entering his “leading man era,” according to his stylist Avo Yermagyan, who started working with the actor right before the pandemic started.
“There was this unbelievable charisma — like movie star charisma that you only see on the screen — walking towards me and we just immediately connected,” Yermagyan said about his initial meeting with the actor. “We had an incredible meeting. I was captivated by him. He’s one of one, that’s for sure, and that charisma that I felt, the only thing I can compare it to is that Matthew McConaughey kind of movie star quality. I think that’s the first time I’ve experienced that in person.”
Yermagyan said Stokes, whose girlfriend is country singer Kelsea Ballerini, has undergone a style evolution over the last four years, one that’s struck a chord with fans and red carpet spectators. He explained Stokes’ style started off more bold and streetwear-inspired and has since scaled back to focus on traditional menswear and classic styles in the vein of style icons like Paul Newman and Steve McQueen.
The through-line in Stokes‘ styles, however, has been the actor’s versatility, surfer vibe and affinity for vintage pieces, according to the stylist.
“There’s no rule book — nobody could give you a guide into how to navigate the waters of stardom and style, and I think he’s done it effortlessly because that’s just who he is,” Yermagyan said. “He’s a surfer in the way he approaches life, in the way he approaches love and in the way he approaches style. He sort of rides the wave. He goes with the flow, and that’s why I think it resonates with his fans.”
Chase Stokes at the Venice International Film Festival this summer.
WireImage
Yermagyan stated Stokes’ style evolution can be seen at his recent appearance at the Venice Film Festival, which he has attended three times now. During his early appearances, Stokes went with more trendy silhouettes like a black double-breasted velvet tuxedo with cropped trousers or an oversize tuxedo and matching trousers. This past festival, Stokes opted for a more classic silhouette, wearing a chocolate brown Giorgio Armani tuxedo.
“Now that he’s been there a few times, it’s not his first go on the merry-go-round,” Yermagyan said. “He sort of eased into this comfort in his style and into his dressing where he’s just in his leading man era, so less is more now. We’re pulling back and there’s a lot of restraint when it comes to his dressing. In a sea of men that are doing all these very trendy, oversized Loewe, JW Anderson kind of things, he’s in his own lane.”
Stokes continued this pared-back aesthetic for the premiere of Netflix’s film “Uglies” last month. Yermagyan styled the actor in a slim-cut, three-button Paul Smith suit.
As the actor is embarking on the press tour for “Outer Banks” season four this week, Yermagyan explained fans can expect Stokes to continue this aesthetic with touches of upcycled and vintage elements.
“He’s the epitome of the phrase, ‘get you a man who could do both,’” the stylist said. “He can wear a gorgeous Armani tuxedo beautifully and effortlessly in Venice or in Cannes, and at the same time, he’s still the guy that doodles on his sneakers and can look just as much a movie star in those hand-doodled sneakers and a pair of vintage 1940s Levi’s and a white T-shirt.”
