Benito Skinner's Endless Love for Dario Vitale's Versace

The actor and comedian discusses his evolving fashion philosophy, from Robin Williams inspiration to Raf Simons regrets

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:26pm

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An extreme close-up of shimmering, high-contrast sequins and velvet textures, conceptually representing the glamour and experimentation in Benito Skinner's personal style.Skinner's evolving fashion philosophy embraces a more playful, spontaneous approach to dressing, drawing inspiration from iconic style icons like Robin Williams.NYC Today

Benito Skinner, known for his comedy series 'Overcompensating' and celebrity impressions, has been embracing a more playful approach to fashion over the past year. From sitting front row at Haider Ackermann to diving into collegiate apparel on screen, Skinner has been experimenting with his style, all while maintaining a deep appreciation for Dario Vitale's Versace designs and vintage finds from the likes of Armani and Abercrombie.

Why it matters

As a rising comedic talent, Skinner's fashion choices reflect a broader shift in how young, creative professionals approach personal style - moving away from rigid self-definitions and embracing a more spontaneous, fun-loving approach to dressing. His journey also highlights the continued influence of iconic style icons like Robin Williams, as well as the power of emerging designers like Eli Russell Linnetz to dress up-and-coming stars.

The details

Skinner, who has been featured in campaigns for brands like J.Crew and Ralph Lauren, credits his evolving fashion philosophy to a desire to simply wear what feels good, rather than overthinking his personal style. He cites Robin Williams' playful red carpet looks as a major inspiration, and describes his own shopping habits as 'athletic' and 'aggressive' when it comes to sample sales. For the premiere of his show 'Overcompensating', Skinner collaborated with designer Eli Russell Linnetz on a memorable JFK-inspired look. While he's had some regrets, like an oversized Raf Simons denim shirt, Skinner remains loyal to certain repeat buys, including Dario Vitale's Versace designs and ERL's puffy sneakers.

  • Skinner was gifted a Thom Browne shirt by his brother in high school, which he still owns.
  • Skinner recently went on a vintage shopping spree at the Society Archive in New York, picking up pieces from old Armani and Abercrombie collections.

The players

Benito Skinner

An actor, writer, and producer known for his comedy series 'Overcompensating' and celebrity impressions. He has embraced a more playful approach to fashion over the past year, experimenting with brands like J.Crew, Ralph Lauren, and Dario Vitale's Versace.

Eli Russell Linnetz

A designer who has supported Skinner and dressed him for the 'Overcompensating' season 1 premiere, including creating a memorable JFK-inspired look.

Robin Williams

A legendary actor and comedian whose playful red carpet style has been a major inspiration for Skinner's fashion choices.

Dario Vitale

A designer whose Versace collections have become a repeat buy for Skinner, who loves the brand's bold, glamorous aesthetic.

Raf Simons

A designer whose oversized denim shirt was a regret purchase for Skinner, who found it difficult to pull off.

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What they’re saying

“For me, it's stop thinking so much about what your personal style is and just do what feels right. If the top feels good to you, that's it, and your personal style will reveal itself.”

— Benito Skinner, Actor and Comedian

“One of my first ones, I remember seeing photos of Robin Williams on red carpets and I was like, 'oh that's so fun.' I saw the JPG muscle shirt on him or he'd wear a lot of Issey Miyake and the Oakley sunglasses, and I just thought he was having fun.”

— Benito Skinner, Actor and Comedian

The takeaway

Skinner's evolving fashion philosophy, from embracing playful icons like Robin Williams to experimenting with emerging designers, reflects a broader shift in how young, creative professionals approach personal style - moving away from rigid self-definitions and embracing a more spontaneous, fun-loving approach to dressing.