The history of rock ‘n’ roll music is overflowing with iconic stars who’ve inspired generations. From the wildly influential The Beatles to iconic David Bowie, these musical figures left a legacy of style and music that’s been constantly drawn upon ever since. So let’s delve further and discover the fashion impact of the coolest and most important characters in rock ‘n’ roll.
1. A Revolt of Style: The Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll Fashion
The 1950s: a revolutionary time for fashion. It saw the birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll, and with it a vibrant culture of rebellious and eccentric style.
Suddenly, jeans and leather jackets were no longer just functional garments – they became fashion statements. Teenagers wore their clothes as a marker of independence, a symbol of liberation from the traditional 1950s values. They wanted to stand out from the crowd.
Levi’s Jeans
The most iconic item of clothing, Levi’s jeans, quickly evolved from horseriding gear into a cult item. For the young, it was a garment that connoted the perfect balance of style and rebellion.
The fashion industry reacted quickly, launching a wave of expensives jeans, from designer jackets to slim fit trousers. Manufacturers soon caught up with the trend, and a new ‘mod’ look was born.
- Introduction of New Materials
- Mix of Traditional and Novel Ideas
- Unisex Clothing
The ‘rock ‘n’ roll look’ shifted the focus of fashion from conformance to playfulness. Innovations such as spandex, lycra and plastic garments started to emerge. Girls wore trousers and jackets unisex clothing as a statement on gender roles.
For girls especially, this was an expression of their newfound freedoms. Buoyed by the emergence of the ‘teenager’, teens could now indulge in fashion and music without parental reproach.
At the same time, traditional motifs such as beehives, leather jackets, and cardigans helped to keep these looks grounded in reality.
In conclusion, the ‘revolt of style’, as it’s been termed, gave teenagers a way to express themselves and helped to set the foundations for modern streetwear. The rebellious nature and mix of traditional and novel ideas in Rock ‘n’ Roll fashion remain key influences on fashion to this day.
2. Fab Four’s Fashion Frenzy: The Beatles’ Impact on Rock ‘n’ Roll Style
From head-to-toe leather outfits to artistic-looking mop tops, the Beatles’ influence on fashion was tremendous and still influences fashion trends to this day. As the iconic figures of the British Invasion, the Fab Four created the rock ‘n’ roll fashion revolution.
- The Beatles’ become style icons
In 1964, The Beatles released their first movie “A Hard Day’s Night” and became an overnight sensation. Their fashion influences could be seen everywhere; young men wore tight black jeans with a white button up shirt, known as the mod look, inspired by The Beatles’ style. The mop top hair cuts, influenced by Beatlemania, was also widely popular among teenagers of the time. Girls, on the other hand, made their look part of rebel culture by wearing mini skirts, fishnet stockings, and colourful go-go boots.
- The Beatles’ Indian Influences
In 1966, the Beatles made a huge fashion statement when they incorporated the motifs and styles of the Indian culture into their look. It started with John Lennon wearing dark round tinted sunglasses, and was followed by their visit to India to take part in the Transcendental Meditation programme. During their visit, the four of them wore traditional Indian garments. This spread to the streets of Britain, and soon everyone was wearing Indian-style shirts, hats and jewellery as part of the hippie fashion trend.
- The Beatles’ Lasting Impact
Today, The Beatles fashion still has a lasting impact and influence on fashion. Their signature Paul McCartney Carnaby Street style, consisting of graphic T-shirts, colourful slim-cut jeans and striped jackets is still popular and can be seen in many fashion collections. The Beatles also popularised the use of bright, bold colours and psychedelic prints, as well as the idea of mixing textures and patterns, which is still a trend today.
- Conclusion
The Beatles’ fashion is perhaps one of the most iconic and celebrated elements of their global appeal and continues to influence millions of people around the world. From their head-to-toe leather outfits to their use of bright and bold colours, The Beatles are still inspiring fashionistas to recreate their iconic style.
3. Ziggy Stardust to Starman: David Bowie, The Chameleon of Rock Fashion
David Bowie’s flairs of fashion through the decades need no introduction. From the ever iconic Ziggy Stardust look to the androgynous, disco era fashion of the Thin White Duke, Bowie was a true pioneer of rock fashion.
Ziggy Stardust
This iconic look of silver-sequined jumpsuits, bluescreen eyeshadow and bold, bright red locks catapulted Bowie into rock stardom. Originally composed of a rented costume, Bowie combined science fiction with glam rock to honor the androgynous spectacle that forever changed the music scene. This look spawned an abundance of highly influential copycats and allowed his androgynous figure to fully manifest itself onto the world.
The Berlin Trilogy
The punk-inspired “Berlin Trilogy” that encompassed Bowie’s songs from Low, “Heroes”, and Lodger, saw a drastic shift in his fashion. As the new electronic individualist, Bowie adopted a style reminiscent of the post-war era, adorning a manifests an array of greys and blacks in his houndstooth jackets he more subdued color palette.
The Thin White Duke
On the release of Station to Station, Bowie adopted his thinnest, whitest character to date: The Thin White Duke. The Duke saw Bowie outfitted in crisp white shirts, pencil mustaches, and a decadently ruffled waistcoat. As a major departure from the ‘glamlord’ Bowie, The Thin White Duke was still similarly bold and stark, and yet emanated a refined air of mystery when he performed.
The ‘Tin Man’
Bowie’s look for the album The Man Who Fell to Earth saw Bowie transform into the eerily metallic and foggy-eyed ‘Tin Man’ character. This look in the mid-70s was an obvious signifier for the pioneering/rebellious image Bowie had come to venerate, and his intelligence-evoking sci-fi look went a long way to further solidifying his reputation as a maverick in the music world.
The Superhero Look
The promotional materials for 1980’s Scary Monsters saw the dawn of Bowie’s new superhero look. With eerily bright, red-streaked eyes and metallic cape, Bowie further solidified himself into a legend by adopting yet another look based in science fiction.
From his earliest expressive looks to his final personas, David Bowie’s exploration with fashion was a vital extension to his artistry. From Ziggy Stardust to Starman, Bowie made sure his sartorial decisions would make their mark on fashion for many years to come.
4. Legendary Icons: Exploring the Enduring Influence of The Beatles and Bowie
The deep influence The Beatles and Bowie have had on music cannot be overstated. From their legendary sounds to their willing embrace of new technology, their art and spirit will live on forever.
The Beatles: As one of the most influential bands of all time, it’s easy to forget the revolutionary impact The Beatles had when they first arrived on the scene. With their irresistible combination of love ballads, rock and roll, and groundbreaking experimentation in the recording studio, The Beatles have left an indelible mark on the history of music. Some of their most timeless hits include:
- I Want to Hold Your Hand
- Hey Jude
- Help!
- Let It Be
The Beatles managed to not only broaden the scope of popular music during their time, but they also paved the way for many musical genres to come. They were relentless innovators, exploring new sounds and pushing the boundaries of what was possible as recording technology developed.
David Bowie: David Bowie had a huge influence in the music industry, both as a solo artist and as a collaborator. He was an outlier who fearlessly experimented with music, taking it in directions no one had ever imagined. His impressive range of styles, from art-rock to funk, allowed him to shape-shift and continually reinvent himself, never ceasing to surprise his fans. Among some of his classic hits are:
- Changes
- Space Oddity
- Rebel Rebel
- Life On Mars?
Bowie’s courageous spirit and willingness to try anything musically inspired generations of musicians. His impact is still felt today with his avant-garde style maintaining an influence over many current artists.
From The Beatles to Bowie and everywhere in between, rock ‘n’ roll fashion has made a unique and lasting impression on the world. It has resonated throughout the decades and is sure to keep doing so as the years go on. With its combination of musical and sartorial sensibilities, this particular form of fashion will remain legendary for many years to come.