Jacob Elordi, Reluctant Trendsetter, Is Unamused by the ‘Epidemic’ of Guys Putting Books in Their Back Pockets

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Despite his ability to turn a look even while pumping gas in Studio City, Jacob Elordi is a begrudging trendsetter. The Australian actor—whose etched jawline and sinewy 6’5” frame naturally lend themselves to modeling luxury goods—is generally reluctant to discuss his personal style in interviews. Just try asking him to explain why he always carries such nice handbags.

Nonetheless, Elordi seems invested enough in style that he’s turned it into a marketable characteristic: He’s inked high-profile brand partnerships with the likes of Bottega Veneta and TAG Heuer. He’s attended fashion weeks in Paris and Milan. He’s worn an adequate number of interesting-enough ensembles—both on and off the red carpet—to earn himself a fanbase amongst the online menswear set. And for whatever it’s worth, he even made it to the semifinals of GQ’s 2024 Most Stylish Man of the Year reader poll, only to be edged out by eventual winner Timothée Chalamet.

Jacob Elordi, in Bottega Veneta, at TIFF on Saturday.

Monica Schipper/Getty Images

But when a reporter confronted Elordi about his trendsetting at the premiere of his upcoming drama On Swift Horses at the Toronto International Film Festival over the weekend, the actor—who was, per his recent ambassadorship, wearing a sharply fitted, briny olive green Bottega Veneta suit—appeared entirely nonplussed at the very concept.

In a TikTok clip, a reporter from iHeartRadio Canada told Elordi that his On Swift Horses costar Daisy Edgar-Jones said “you should bring back high-waisted pants in the movie,” which prompted the actor to performatively readjust the waistband of his (relatively) high-rise Bottega Veneta trousers. “Pan the camera,” he joked.

“You also started an epidemic of men carrying books in their back pockets,” the reporter continued, referring to a viral photo of Elordi browsing titles (including playwright Suzie Miller’s Prima Facie) at a bookstore inside the Sydney airport last year. His travel ensemble, which featured a hefty Avirex biker jacket and a pair of book-stuffed green cargo pants, spawned at least a couple TikTok trends: of readers attempting to fit their favorite volumes into their jean pockets; of menswear guys accessorizing their workwear with, like, Steinbeck paperbacks. (And speaking of the aforementioned Chalamet—who knows if Timmy has ever wedged any books into the pockets of his Loewe cargo pants, but he has worn them printed on a Sacai crewneck.)

“What are your thoughts on the book in the back pocket? Other guys are doing it because of you,” the reporter asked. Elordi blinked and stared back at her for several seconds before replying, “I think people need to get out more, maybe.”

Well, there you have it. Best take your Book Guy discourse elsewhere.