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Style Evolution: Desmond Tan

As the actor turns 34 today (Aug 19), we take a look at how his style has changed over the years.

As the actor turns 34 today (Aug 19), we take a look at how his style has changed over the years.

As the actor turns 34 today (Aug 19), we take a look at how his style has changed over the years.

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If his past styles are any indication, Desmond Tan, who turns 34 today (Aug 19), is entering a brighter era of fashion. Believe it or not, the dapper actor didn't always have an affinity for Hugo Boss and Old Hollywood hairstyles. Like any of us who made it through the early 2000s, Desmond dabbled with orange hair, side-swept bangs, and even sequins.

Keep reading to see how his style has evolved over the years.

1 of 42 Star Search (2007)

Oh, Desmond. How adorable — and sartorially ridiculous — you were as a newb in the entertainment scene.

2 of 42 Star Search (2007)

Between the feathered hair, the red suit, and the sequined tie, we’re not sure what Desmond (or his stylist) was thinking — but if his recent outfits are anything to go by, his thirties is way better than his twenties.

  • 3 of 42 2008

    Ah, 2008, when it was acceptable to copy Zac Efron’s hairstyle in The High School Musical.

  • 4 of 42 Fly Me To Beijing (2008)

    There are a lot of things we could say about these outfits, but we’ll keep it to this: Desmond’s personal style has come a LONG way.

    Photo: Destanation/Facebook

    5 of 42 2009

    Basically every real estate fresh grad's profile picture on LinkedIn in 2007.

    6 of 42 Little Note screening (2009)

    Desmond’s wardrobe is proof that with hard work, you can go from raincoat to Gucci in just seven years.

    7 of 42 2010

    The hairstyle says, “I’m pretty,” but the leather jacket and smouldering gaze say, “I’m a badass.” Boyfriend goals, 2010 edition.

    8 of 42 Star Awards 2010 Show 1

    Desmond was rocking frilly lace shirts way before they became a trend for guys.

  • 9 of 42 Beijing TV Festival 2013

    Who knew that the former BFFs had the same taste in clothes too.

  • 10 of 42 Celebrate TV50 (2013)

    Ugh - this “just woke up” hairdo ruined an otherwise polished New Year’s getup.

  • 11 of 42 The Dream Makers Roadshow (2013)

    As much as we dislike T-shirts under suit jackets, we’ve got to admit that Desmond wears the “hipster intellectual” look well.

    Photo: Destanation/Facebook

    12 of 42 It’s A Wonderful Life Roadshow (2013)

    Just NO to this Donald Trump cosplay.

    13 of 42 It’s a Wonderful Life (2013)

    It’s okay, Desmond, most of us went through a K-Pop idol wannabe phase too.

    14 of 42 Star Awards 2013 Show 2

    We were all ready to give Des two thumbs up, then we saw the bedazzled shoes…

    15 of 42 Chinese New Year Music Video shoot (2014)

    This, um, creative, getup looks like it came straight off the set of Doctor Who.

    16 of 42 2014

    Because an acoustic guitar can compensate for even the most boring outfits.

    17 of 42 Star Awards 2014 Show 1

    Argh our eyes! Though it’s a bit on the flashy side, Desmond looks red hot in the scarlet suit.

    18 of 42 The Journey: Tumultuous Times press conference (2014)

    As you can imagine, we were a little surprised to see the clean-shaven Desmond sporting a rugged new look, but thankfully, it was only for a role.

    19 of 42 2014 TODAY photo shoot

    The neck scarf is a tad overkill but Desmond manages to pull off the denim tuxedo.

    20 of 42 Mata Mata 3 (2015)

    Boy, are we glad that this ISN’T Desmond’s style in real life.

    21 of 42 Mata Mata 3 Press Conference

    You know that life is not fair when Desmond looks flawless with a chin-length bob, while we look like Severus Snape.

    22 of 42 Star Awards 2015 Show 1

    Comb-overs are always a bad idea, regardless of how much hair you have.

    23 of 42 Star Awards 2015 Show 2

    Desmond was all about the Prohibition-era hair in 2015.

    24 of 42 Star Awards 2015 Show 2 after party

    Did we give Desmond too hard of a time for this outfit? While his 2015 was filled with creative — and questionable — fashion choices, he’s spent the better part of 2016 in conservative suits.

    25 of 42 Star Awards 2016 Part 2

    Desmond looked like a classic Hollywood film star in his navy pinstriped suit from Hugo Boss.

    26 of 42 The Truth Seekers (2016)

    Because who needs clothes when you have those abs, eh.

    27 of 42 The Truth Seekers press conference (2016)

    Desmond channelled Sherlock Holmes in The Truth Seekers press conference. It’s too bad Singapore’s weather is too hot for trench coats, ‘cos Desmond looks SMOKIN’.

  • 28 of 42 Star Awards 2017 Live Show 1

    Err, guess Desmond must have thought so too and decided to upgrade his detective look (we prefer this stylo version) for the Star Awards live show.

  • 29 of 42 Voyage (2017)

    Only Desmond and his ab-tastic bod can do this costume justice.

  • 30 of 42 2017

    Desmond is the epitome of suave oppa in this button down shirt (preferably loosely buttoned) and slouchy pleated pants getup. Extra points for the sleek ride.

  • 31 of 42 Star Awards 2018

    This flashy, cleavage-baring look will go down as one of the most memorable outfits of Star Awards 2018.

  • 32 of 42 Bonus: Teen Desmond

    There's nothing like an old IC photo to show how far you've come in the past 16 years.

  • 33 of 42 The Big Day gala premiere

    No tux for his big day . Instead, Desmond opted for this quirky yet dapper Christian Dior bee suit that shows his playful side. We like!

  • 34 of 42 2018

    You gotta hand it to Desmond — when it comes to vacay chic, no one does it like this dude in his wide-legged fisherman’s pants, straw hat and oversized tote.

  • 35 of 42 2018

    Seven years after he took he played a shirtless rickshaw puller in A Song to Remember, Desmond bared it all once again as a serial killer who also happens to be very ripped (and has a thing for rubber chickens).

  • 36 of 42 Tokyo (2018)

    We like the outfit, can't say the same for the platinum locks which make Desmond look more like a yakuza gangster than a K-pop idol.

  • 37 of 42 2019

    Now, this is much better. Desmond looked both literally and figuratively cool walking down the streets of Japan decked out in a traditional kimono from head to toe. Of course, it’s definitely a kimoYES for us!

  • 38 of 42 Star Awards 2019

    If there’s anybody who can make a harness look cool (in case you're wondering, it's from Louis Vuitton) and covetable as a fashion accessory, it’s got to be Desmond.

  • 39 of 42 Prada event (2019)

    While we applaud Desmond for his daring style choices, this Prada turtleneck is too cartoony for our tastes.

  • 40 of 42 Samsung Galaxy event (2019)

    Another kimono-inspired piece. We like how the oversized kimono blazer makes him look avant garde without being too OTT.

  • 41 of 42 Asian Academy Creative Awards 2019

    Superman curl aside, Desmond looks incredibly handsome in this Dior suit.

  • 42 of 42 2020

    Looks like Desmond has become the king of non-traditional suits. This Fendi number, which looks like a 3D drawing, is whimsical and chic at the same time.

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