LOS ANGELES — In a surprising turn for his famously relaxed wardrobe, actor Adam Sandler has been sporting tailored suits for the press tour of his new film, Jay Kelly. The comedian, known for his preference for hoodies, basketball shorts, and loud Hawaiian shirts, attributes his sartorial shift entirely to the influence of his co-star, George Clooney.
Sandler, who appeared in a sharp navy suit at the film’s recent AFI Festival premiere, explained the change was a gesture to his colleague. “I’m doing this for his sake, because I like Clooney,” Sandler remarked. “He’s a very nice man, and when I show up looking the way I normally do, he looks so genuinely disappointed that I figured, ‘Alright, let me throw a suit on.’”
The actor’s typical off-duty style has become a signature, famously extending to major events. Earlier this year, his casual hoodie-and-shorts ensemble at the Oscars drew humorous commentary from the evening’s host, who joked about his “video poker at 2 a.m.” aesthetic. Sandler has previously defended his comfort-first philosophy, stating his personal character matters more than his attire.
For the Jay Kelly premiere, Sandler’s suit inadvertently coordinated with the navy dress worn by his wife of over two decades, Jackie. The actor downplayed the matching moment as simple luck, praising his wife’s innate sense of style. “She knows that stuff,” he said. “I kinda just land in this stuff and try to get the right color socks on.”
The upcoming Netflix film, directed by Noah Baumbach, features Clooney in the title role of a famous movie star, with Sandler playing his loyal manager. The project is already generating awards season buzz, having been submitted for Golden Globes consideration.
Jay Kelly is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on November 14, followed by its global streaming debut on Netflix on December 5. For now, audiences can expect to see a more formally attired Adam Sandler promoting the film—a temporary style truce brokered in the name of professional camaraderie.
