Dominic Cooper hates fancy dress parties.

The 'Need for Speed' actor favours casual clothes when he isn't working and hates socialising at parties where he has to dress up as a character because it reminds him too much of his work.

He said: ''I love anything vintage, a good quality suit, scruffy jeans and my trusty leather army boots. I like being casual. As an actor, I'm in costume all the time. That's why fancy dress parties are my idea of hell.''

The 35-year-old star is an avid follower of fashion and takes a particular interest in emerging designers.

He said: ''I can't believe how easily fads come back into style, like skinny jeans. But I've always loved fashion.

''It influences generations and resonates with a moment in time. I love seeing what designers come up with, especially young designers. I think they're artists.''

And Dominic can also remember splashing out on his first-ever new suit to mark his appearance in stage show 'The History Boys'.

He told Britain's InStyle magazine: ''When I got paid for doing 'The History Boys' in New York, I bought a nice suit. No idea who by, but it was a big moment as, before that, I'd only worn hand-me-downs with baggy kneecaps. I certainly didn't have the money to buy suits when I was a teenager.''