A new best-dressed list – and there's not a Beckham in sight

A journalist with a penchant for Y-fronts, an Italian industrialist who delights in sporting striped chef's trousers, a Sotheby's auctioneer and a sexagenarian member of the Royal Family. The sartorial champions of 2008 have been revealed – and they're not quite who you'd expected.

According to Esquire magazine, the top-10 best-dressed men of the year include not only the Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman and Prince Michael of Kent but also Tobias Meyer, a man known in certain circles as auctioneer's "James Bond", and Lapo Elkann, the Fiat heir and the proud model of a variety of ensembles involving a blue beanie hat, a beige linen jacket and a pair of rather gaudy coloured trousers.

Other unlikely fashion heroes in the list of best-dressed "Power Men" are Sir Stuart Rose, better known for bringing sturdy fashion staples to the High Street than for his own personal sense of style and, perhaps most surprisingly, the environmentalist David Mayer de Rothschild.

The United States presidential hopeful Barack Obama made it on to the list by virtue of his simple, sharp tailoring – usually seen clad in inconspicuous dark suit and crisp white shirt.

Esquire's fashion director, Catherine Hayward, said that all the men had been chosen for their idiosyncrasies. "Powerful men know how to dress themselves and often stick to a uniform. Each of the men in our list has given a teasing twist to traditional tailoring and made the look entirely their own.

"Whether it's M&S boss Stuart Rose accessorising with an evening scarf or Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco wearing a tailored jacket and working the look with layering and checks, each man has interpreted the look to suit his own style."

The inclusion of the actor Christian Bale is less surprising, as is that of England manager, Fabio Capello, who is the face of glasses brand Zeroh+. But the recognition lavished on rap star Fiasco will have some fashionistas choking on their superfood salads. Fiasco is most often seen sporting outlandish tracksuit tops and oversized trainers.

Esquire's best dressed men - Susannah Frankel, The Independent's fashion editor, gives her verdict

*Fabio Capello, England football manager: "He really does look like that fashion icon, Postman Pat."

*Christian Bale, Hollywood actor: "Intense, intelligent, insane... His clothes aren't bad either."

*Lapo Elkann, Italian industrialist: "Not restrained in his choice of attire."

*Lupe Fiasco, Rapper: "A totally fine figure of a man – move over Kayne West."

*David Mayer de Rothschild, Environmentalist: "Rugged but slightly goofy."

*Jeremy Paxman, Political journalist: "Newsnight's frontman was a handsome hero until he moaned about underwear."

Interesting? Click here to explore further