When someone mentions an iconic musician, it's impossible to relate them solely to their songs. You relate them to their style too because, as is so often the case with great artists, they understand that clothes, shoes and excellent hats are an essential part of their expression.
Allow us to elaborate. Mick Jagger? Made his name with House Of Nutter suits. Jim Morrison? Leather kecks. The Beatles? Too many statements to mention (though we were particularly taken with the Lonely Hearts Club era). And what of perhaps the most stylish number of the fab four? What of John Lennon? Even with those tiny round spectacles, that New York City tee and his collection of slim black suits, it's difficult to pinpoint his signature style because, over his life, he coined so many.
Despite being one of (if not, the) biggest musicians of all time, John Lennon never lost sight of his soul and that sense of honesty undoubtedly informed his style. “I'm not going to change the way I look or feel to conform to anything,” Lennon famously said. It's a claim that rings true primarily because he set his own wardrobe rules and, 50 years on, many of us are still being influenced by them.
So today, on what would have been the artist's 79th birthday, we're serving up some of his most memorable outfits.
1. When he proved white was a winning finish
How to seal an outfit with a sophisticated statement? Clad yourself in white like Lennon. If jeans are a bit much for you, this is the approach to take: checked trousers and a black T-shirt topped with a white denim jacket. Oh – and a bright baker boy cap. If white is the colour of purity, Lennon was certainly dressing with honesty.
2. When he made the case for the dog-ear collar
A loose business shirt with a dog-ear collar – what's cooler than that? The dog-ear design was quite a sensation through the Seventies, but Lennon was one step ahead of the game. Here he sports it in 1966, blending casual elegance with formality through the simple act of undoing a top button. As for the belt? It looks like stripes aren't just for your shirt.
3. When he proved the power of velvet
Listening to any of John Lennon's lyrics is like embarking on a romantic musical getaway and with a sweep through his style archive we can safely say that it doesn't finish at the end of a song. Proof? This velvet ensemble. We're not sure which item we're loving most here: those likely flared trousers, the long tuxedo coat, the slim fringed scarf or the black beret. The only thing he'd be taking that hat off for? Yoko Ono in her feathered masterpiece.
4. And a striped suit
Lennon often spoke through stripes and in this sartorial case we're wanting to learn his language, stat. Say hello to the most powerful print in his wardrobe, styled with both a tie and scarf (who would have thought?) and grounded with some contrast Oxford loafers. The finishing details? A couple of pin badges, feathers and a self-assured statement on top of his fedora.
5. When he showed us what to wear with cord
If you're scared of embracing cord, Lennon's got some words of advice for you: go hard or go home. Sartorially speaking, match your other pieces as closely to the colour of your tufted garment as possible. So in this case, his light, high-waisted trousers were styled with a white turtleneck, white double-breasted blazer and white pumps. We're calling this page one in the “how to look effortless” book.
6. When the layers came out in force
Who knew styling could look so logical? We're guessing John Lennon did a bit of mathematics when weighing up this outfit; layered together, his shirt, knit and blazer look like the perfect geometric answer. As the weather forecast grows more and more unpredictable, this transitional technique is a brilliant point of call. Pull that collar out – you won't regret it.
7. When he accessorised (the right way)
Rather than going overboard with accessories, Lennon often chose an eye-catching creation and let it speak for itself. Case in point: this choker, which, if you look really closely, looks like something HRH Queen Elizabeth might own.
8. When he showed us the best boots of all time
OK – savoir-faire starts (and ends) with this pair of boots. Black... check. Leather... check. Blake construction... check. A soft point... check squared. Invest in a design like this, wear them with a black suit (boasting big lapels) and a slim satin scarf and you'll soon be a modern master of Lennon's inherently cool style. Now all you need is a mic (if you've got the voice to go with it).
Now read:
9 John Lennon facts that might surprise you
