We dare you to find a man who didn’t want to be a rock star at some point in their lives, despite having never picked up a guitar. It’s understandable, music and fashion are inseparable and fewer look better than rock's greatest. Here’s a roundup of the coolest men in style and sound.
(Images: Getty)
1. Mick Jagger - The Rolling Stones
Jagger could turn up in one of Jedward’s suits and the milkman’s hat and still look slick. His fashion legacy stretches as far back as his career. Back in the day it was anything he wanted – chaps and leather to three-piece suits. Nowadays it’s all about the silk scarves and velvet, which he still rocks at 70.
2. Alex Chilton - Big Star
The rock star that influenced other rockstars, Chilton was one of the founding fathers of indie, though remarkably underexposed. That thankfully didn’t affect his style which encompassed the 70s -flares, wide lapelled pinstripe suit jackets and neck scarves. And this number.
3. Alex Turner - Arctic Monkeys
His style evolution has been as flawless as his hair (though it wasn’t always that way). Turner’s retro rock and roll vibe with a modern silhouette has made him a style icon, bringing the 50s to 2015 with fitted jackets, aviators and loafers.
4. Dev Hynes - Test Icicles/Lightspeed Champion/Blood Orange
Dev Hynes is who we imagine every East London hipster thinks they look like in the mirror. They should be so lucky. With a wardrobe worthy of Narnia, Hynes pulls off everything from women’s blouses to dungarees.
5. Jim Morrison - The Doors
Signature hair and affinity to leather, Morrison made skin-tight leather trousers with cowboy belts a thing. Chuck in a loose unbuttoned shirt for good measure and you’re a ready-made icon.
6. Jimi Hendrix
We know he was a unique talent, but his clothes were something else. His psychedelic flare extended to multiple prints at one time, be it draping scarves, pirate shirts or bellbottoms.
7. Prince
He made it rain. In purple. All of the time.
8. David Bowie
Some say insane, we say glam-rock. From striped jumpsuits, one-legged leotards and platform boots to pirate patches. Sure, you could never walk down the street in it, but then Bowie switched it up to tailored suits and rocked them just as well.
9. John Lennon
Clearly no introduction is needed here. Moving light-years from the matching suits of The Beatles, his threads reflected the hippy movement with the edginess of NYC. You know he was onto something when his iconic round lenses are still worn today.
10. Julian Casablancas - The Strokes
The key to Casablancas' look was mostly not to wash. Greasy hair was a minimum requirement, leather jackets and skinny jeans were a plus.
11. Joey Ramone – The Ramones
This punk frontman had better bangs than Bridget Bardot, and that was saying something. Widely recognised as one of the first punk bands, The Ramones were largely responsible for skin-tight striped/graphic tees, accompanied by skin-tight leather jackets and skin-tight ripped jeans.
12. Bruce Springsteen
Admittedly we won’t be looking at his current style for inspiration but when the Jersey boy was one of the biggest names in the world, his denim and t-shirt combos with the occasional headband and his guitar was all he needed.
13. Lenny Kravitz
You’ll never be able to pull off a nose ring like this man. Fearless fashion is the name of the game. While he incorporates leather, he ain’t afraid to throw in some boho. Think scarves that could blanket a king size bed and fur Cruella Deville would be jealous of.
14. Sid Vicious - The Sex Pistols
Punk-rock and Sid Vicious are inherently associated. Similarly, as are Sid’s leather jacket, jeans and motorcycle boots. So much so, he wanted to be buried in them. Not that he didn’t don the occasional trench coat.
15. Jarvis Cocker - Pulp
What is a rock star without eyewear? Cocker used to tie his frames to his face with a rubber band so that they didn’t fall off on stage, such was his commitment. Armed with vintage patterned sports coats, the man brought back Brit pop.
16. Robert Plant - Led Zeppelin
Your shirt choice means nothing unless it is either unbuttoned to naval or fully open. The only thing to make it better is a pair of denim flares and heeled shoes.
17. Joe Strummer - The Clash
Strummer's steez consisted of the obligatory leather jackets and ripped tees. Colour scheme: Black. But we wouldn’t expect any less of one of the most stylish men in punk. The man could pop a collar better than a bottle.
18. Buddy Holly - The Crickets
Ray Ban was not responsible for making the thick-rimmed glasses cool, Buddy Holly was.
19. Jack White - The White Stripes/The Raconteurs
Jack hasn’t strayed far from black since he started in this game. His colour scheme has moved on from black, white and red to, well, just black. Blending formal menswear and country style to merge into fashion-conscious goth, he’s well suited to the originality and oddity of it.
20. Elvis Presley
The King. A sneer, a quivering leg and overzealous hips, his voice was as smooth as his 50s style and the wax in his hair.
