FEATURING: Rock 'n' roll aesthetics with a touch of sophisticated class ( A scarf-free look to battle the seasonal elements in style)
Words + Styling/Graphics ~ By Lyle Eero ~ 1 November, 2015
The gilded look of the classic rockstar and the bitter frigidness of winter: the perfect bedfellows?
The gilded look of the classic rockstar and the bitter frigidness of winter: the perfect bedfellows?
Without much fair warning — or just due in part to a personally reluctant bout of seasonal disbelief — frost has once again descended upon us with the express intent of blanketing our once beautifully colourful world in omnipresently muted (and bitterly cold) whites.
In saying that, the mere presence of brisk mornings alone should not be taken as a personal affront to your sartorial spirit — as being the heralds of seasonally restrictive style monotony and dowdy impracticality. Why? Because a little cold weather never did any true harm to a gent's (adaptable) style.
Point being, don't (misguidedly) relinquish your stylish sensibilities to mother nature and her fickle conditions. Rather, and in working very much to the contrary, you should take it upon yourself to standing astute in said pursuits, in being convincingly unnerved and unwilling to surrender (your style) to her transitionally jarring realities.
But how?
By channeling your inner rockstar — albeit with a few practically formal caveats — whilst also bearing in mind that there is indeed a whole buffet of endless seasonal layering options awaiting your otherwise discerning needs and desires come the (holiday) season.
So, how do you update the devil-may-care monochromatic rockstar aesthetic to best befit (suit) the times?
Well that would require fashionably pairing the looks essentials with a select few pieces of a more formal nature, with none being as appropriately flattering, smartly refined, and utterly sophisticated then the knit turtleneck itself.
Now, not much can be said that has not already been waxed over poetically about the iconic style of the jaded rocker himself. From The Beatles (formal) to Hendrix (casual), and everyone in between, the look and its definitive components have simply come to epitomize (alternative) effortless cool.
And yet generational style tinkering is fully-expected, which is only fitting as I am nothing if not a perpetually habitual revisionist, always looking to repurpose or remake to suit my needs and desires — too feed my creative visions.
And it is in playing to that very hand that I decided to curate a fresh, traditionally subtle ensemble that utilizes classic rockstar wardrobe essentials (leather jacket, black skinny jeans, Chelsea boots) in just such a way that the iconic and traditional are seamlessly blended with modern sensibilities and seasonal practicality.
So, here's to stylishly assaulting the seasons (early) bitter friggidness, to not surrendering to its persistently trying elements, and to stylishly paying homage to rakish rockstars and timeless artistas alike with this smart take on the all-black rock 'n' roll ensemble. By adopting a chunky knit turtleneck and leather jacket in kind, you will be laying the foundation for what could be labelled as the look of a refined modern rebel with — not without — a cause.
Divided these individual pieces will always be considered essential classics. Together, they represent harmonized modern sartorial refinement.
Without further or ado, here's a simple styling guide (with a dossier like breakdown of each piece) on how to implement and combine these two well-studied looks into one practically sophisticated ensemble:
In saying that, the mere presence of brisk mornings alone should not be taken as a personal affront to your sartorial spirit — as being the heralds of seasonally restrictive style monotony and dowdy impracticality. Why? Because a little cold weather never did any true harm to a gent's (adaptable) style.
Point being, don't (misguidedly) relinquish your stylish sensibilities to mother nature and her fickle conditions. Rather, and in working very much to the contrary, you should take it upon yourself to standing astute in said pursuits, in being convincingly unnerved and unwilling to surrender (your style) to her transitionally jarring realities.
But how?
By channeling your inner rockstar — albeit with a few practically formal caveats — whilst also bearing in mind that there is indeed a whole buffet of endless seasonal layering options awaiting your otherwise discerning needs and desires come the (holiday) season.
So, how do you update the devil-may-care monochromatic rockstar aesthetic to best befit (suit) the times?
Well that would require fashionably pairing the looks essentials with a select few pieces of a more formal nature, with none being as appropriately flattering, smartly refined, and utterly sophisticated then the knit turtleneck itself.
Now, not much can be said that has not already been waxed over poetically about the iconic style of the jaded rocker himself. From The Beatles (formal) to Hendrix (casual), and everyone in between, the look and its definitive components have simply come to epitomize (alternative) effortless cool.
And yet generational style tinkering is fully-expected, which is only fitting as I am nothing if not a perpetually habitual revisionist, always looking to repurpose or remake to suit my needs and desires — too feed my creative visions.
And it is in playing to that very hand that I decided to curate a fresh, traditionally subtle ensemble that utilizes classic rockstar wardrobe essentials (leather jacket, black skinny jeans, Chelsea boots) in just such a way that the iconic and traditional are seamlessly blended with modern sensibilities and seasonal practicality.
So, here's to stylishly assaulting the seasons (early) bitter friggidness, to not surrendering to its persistently trying elements, and to stylishly paying homage to rakish rockstars and timeless artistas alike with this smart take on the all-black rock 'n' roll ensemble. By adopting a chunky knit turtleneck and leather jacket in kind, you will be laying the foundation for what could be labelled as the look of a refined modern rebel with — not without — a cause.
Divided these individual pieces will always be considered essential classics. Together, they represent harmonized modern sartorial refinement.
Without further or ado, here's a simple styling guide (with a dossier like breakdown of each piece) on how to implement and combine these two well-studied looks into one practically sophisticated ensemble:
REFINED ROCKSTAR: A BREAKDOWN
: SHOP THE LOOK :
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SPORT IT WELL: With a rakish charm underlined by a modernly refined nonchalance; by channeling your inner rockstar, but in a more sophisticated and gentlemanly manner by chiefly substituting in a slim-fitting cable-knit (marl) black turtleneck (in order to keep it casual and tonally apropos) for the ubiquitous white short-sleeved crewneck tee.
As for the rest of the ensemble, staying true to the historic authenticity of the look could not be more simple as its styling requirements are worldly-renowned: all-black tonal neutrality and nothing but. Blacked-out form (skinny) fitting jeans, sleek Chelsea boots, (silk) ribbed socks, and the definitive leather jacket, these are the requisite components that collectively bring the style full-circle. Yet, and if it is your desire to base the look upon further refined formality, alternative smart finishing touches like a pair of shined black dress brogues and a minimalist black dress watch will serve you just as well. But, I'd advise proceeding no further then that because if you put into play to many substitute components you will loose that rockstar-esque vibe that this entire ensemble was predicated upon initially. And just one final point, make sure your jeans (or any other trouser for that matter) are properly cropped (or cuffed) to hit just atop the boots. In doing so you will be actively sidestepping that dreaded stack of excess fabric around the ankles that haunts far too many men these days; It will also, as consequence, allow the boots to truly shine by affording their streamlined detailing the stage they deserve erstwhile keeping your trousers safe from the seasonal elements (rain/sleet/snow) on top of it all. The result? A look that is both handsomely refined and stylishly rakish! |
THE ACCOMPANYING TUNE
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What would a feature on rockstar style be without some complimentary music? Well, still undoubtably an inspirational post nonetheless, albeit one devoid of that unifying missing link…much alike a rockstar without his defining leather jacket: complete in essence, yet lacking that elevated finishing touch.
So, and to satiate that need, here's a catchy jam from The Vaccines, a modern Brit(indie)-rock band that has been flying under the radar for quite some time. It's an infectious song that is riddled with guitar rifts, pulsating drumming, a catchy hook, and that prerequisite jolt of persistent energy that has come to personify the modern (indie) rock (hybrid) genre. Enjoy! |
There you have it, a getup that not only pays proper homage to the rakish rockstar but also to the refined sensibilities of the modernly discerning sartorial gentleman.
A look that our stylish forebears — the McQueen's, James Dean's, et al. — chose to consistently gravitate toward (in their own unique ways) for good reason, one whose stylish laurels can be validated solely by the sheer amount of referential menswear content on Pinterest and Instagram alone.
All of which collectively, at the end of the day, alludes to the fact that the look is indeed a style befitting one-and-all — an undeniable timeless aesthetic that is universally relevant and adoptable.
And as for the classic rockstar aesthetic itself, well one would not have to venture far for inspiration (outside of this feature) because every gent from the most famous of movie stars to your humble grandfather has been seduced by its enduring draw at one time or another in their lifetimes.
Question is, will you be joining them?
A look that our stylish forebears — the McQueen's, James Dean's, et al. — chose to consistently gravitate toward (in their own unique ways) for good reason, one whose stylish laurels can be validated solely by the sheer amount of referential menswear content on Pinterest and Instagram alone.
All of which collectively, at the end of the day, alludes to the fact that the look is indeed a style befitting one-and-all — an undeniable timeless aesthetic that is universally relevant and adoptable.
And as for the classic rockstar aesthetic itself, well one would not have to venture far for inspiration (outside of this feature) because every gent from the most famous of movie stars to your humble grandfather has been seduced by its enduring draw at one time or another in their lifetimes.
Question is, will you be joining them?
THOUGHTS & OPINIONS
Do you own a leather jacket? If so, in what style/colour? And are you a fan of all-black tonal aesthetics? And finally, what is your favourite modern day rock band? Chime in below!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
Do you own a leather jacket? If so, in what style/colour? And are you a fan of all-black tonal aesthetics? And finally, what is your favourite modern day rock band? Chime in below!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
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