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The 'Matrix' Merovingian's Tie, and Other Sci-Fi Styles

For tie-wearers who abide by the fashions of geek chic, the ultimate is most certainly the Ediety Knot, unofficially titled the "Merovingian knot" due to its being worn by the French hedonist in the 'Matrix' trilogy. Known as being incredibly complicated and definitely suave, this how-to video breaks down the knot so anyone can imitate the slick rogue 'program' with a taste for French expletives. [From: Lifehacker]

This fancy knot makes us think of the other great additions to fashion that sci-fi has given us. And we don't just mean the Princess Leia buns. Everyday shoes, sunglasses, and even runway styles have found inspiration in the frames and pages of science fiction classics. Here are our five ultimate, and most wearable, pieces of nerd gear.



5. Nike's 2015 McFly Sneakers
When Marty McFly lands in the future for 'Back to the Future II' and gets handed a pair of Nike Dunks, every sneaker nerd drooled (even Kanye West). So when Nike announced that they would be making a pair of shoes, the Hyperdunks, to be modeled after the 2015's, complete with '2015' emblazoned on the tongue, everyone was excited to see their shoe tighten automatically. Sadly, they aren't the super-tall (or the self-tightening) version, and Nike still holds out on fans. [From: Wired.com]




4. Leeloo's Barely There Bandage-Suit
The first time Milla Jovovich appears on screen in 'The Fifth Element,' she manages to elude a large number of pursuant scientists, most of whom are too busy drooling to stop her escape. Years later, Hervé Léger, the inventor of the skin-tight wrap dress, takes a page from the movie with bathing suits that look more like Ace bandages than anything made for athletic activity. We wonder how the tan lines would turn out... [From: Style.com]




3. The White Pants-Suspenders-Bowler Combo From 'A Clockwork Orange'
Nary a Halloween goes by without someone we know donning one set of fake eyelashes and using a cane, evoking Malcolm McDowell's famous ultra-violent youth. While 'A Clockwork Orange' may not have contributed anything to our daily wear, its yearly appearance as a costume (so popular that even Christina Aguilera's put it on) has, if nothing else, made the public less uncomfortable with the sight of very tight, white pants.



2. 'Predator'-Inspired Dreadlock/Hat Mask...or Maybe Helmet?
We can't pretend to know what this is, but it certainly makes us think of our favorite alien warrior. Oakley's metallic dreadlocks and leather skull-cap are called 'the Medusa hat,' because, we guess, it's supposed to remind the users of the mythological lady with snakes as hair. But it much more closely resembles 'the Predator,' especially with the matching goggles. Bad news? It's been discontinued. But it's not like the goggles were infrared, anyway. [From: Boing-Boing Gadgets, at Oakley.com]



1. Han Solo
Yes, Princess Leia had the bikini-slave girl outfit, but the 'Star Wars' character we'd most like to imitate in our daily lives is definitely Han. Making military style cool again, Han unbuttoned his top button, tucked his pants into his boots, and looked so suave that, even today, he has plenty of imitators. Too bad that same effortless cool couldn't work for the new series.

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