David Corenswet is Superman on the big screen, but veers a little more Clark Kent IRL (though he might take issue with that statement, as you’ll hear). While co-star Nicholas Hoult spent the summer film’s press tour dripped out in sleeveless tees, airy pants, and statement accessories, it was Eagles-loving, utterly jacked Corenswet stomping the sidewalks wearing what you might call real-world rugged: a leather jacket, white tee, beefy hiking boots, and a pair of aviators.

That particular fit—all from Banana Republic—turned out to be an easter egg, though one that had nothing to do with the Man of Steel. The brand has tapped Corenswet for its October campaign, which sees the actor decked out in big cords, drapey overcoats, and chunky knit sweaters from its fall collection. And as is becoming the norm for a Corenswet project, there is a dog involved.

Ahead of the campaign launch, GQ hopped on the phone with Corenswet to talk about his collaboration with Banana Republic, developing his sense of style in front of the paparazzi, and the best parts of Daniel Craig’s Bond wardrobe.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Courtesy Banana Republic

Courtesy Banana Republic

GQ: ​​The campaign looks great and feels very in line with the sense of style you’ve developed over the last year. As you’ve become a more visible public figure, I’m sure that’s meant having to assess the way you present yourself publicly. That said, you seem like a pretty lowkey guy. I’m curious how you balance looking put-together without dressing in a way that begs attention.

David Corenswet: I have to give a lot of credit to my now-old friend and stylist Evan [Simonitsch]. He gets the credit for developing my own sense of style, and my knowledge and respect for [getting dressed]. I was always a function-and-comfort-over-everything guy, but now I know you also have to dress for the occasion. So where I’ve come to is, I think, a nice confluence of all those things. I think function and comfort is still very important, and I don’t think I’d ever recommend taking on too much pain for the sake of looking good. Especially when there are so many great options to look good, dress for the occasion, and still feel like you can move or breathe or maybe go on a little adventure.

I think a lot of menswear heads specifically took notice of how you’ve been striking that balance over the course of the summer. There was this one specific outfit you wore, head-to-toe Banana Republic, that was a leather jacket, a white tee, and pull-on herringbone pants. I know it got a lot of us excited for jacket season. As an East Coast guy used to harsher winters, are there any particular wardrobe staples you tend to gravitate towards when cold weather comes?

In the more functional realm, I love a good sweater or a good hoodie. But I think if I’m trying to dress for an occasion, even if the occasion is just showing up somewhere in public, a leather jacket is my go-to. I inherited my grandfather’s leather bomber jacket and wore that from when it was way too big for me as a kid, up to the point where I kind of grew into it. [A leather jacket] can last forever. It’s rugged, it’s functional. Even if the weather isn’t quite calling for it, there’s something kind of cozy and safe about being wrapped up in a leather jacket.