Sharp-Dressed Men
| Ever since INTERPOL began gaining noteriety with their debut album "Turn on the Bright Lights" in 2002, almost as much has been written about their wardrobe as their dark, Joy Division-esque sound. But when most of your indie peers are decked out in "ironic" tees and canvas Converse, tailored three-piece suits are bound to get you some attention.
Even when this foursome was playing free shows at Luna Lounge, they were still the Dapper Dons of Downtown NY. Suits and ties are the general flavor here, but this is not Financial District fashion: skinnier European cuts are the order of the day. Paul also favors the poor little rich boy look with prep school sweater vests and button-down shirts. But it's bassist Carlos D. who is most likely to lace-up those creepers and throw a gun holster over his drainpipe trousers before heading out onto the stage.
(2004) |
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As the more eccentric half of hip hop's reigning duo Outkast, ANDRE 3000 takes a George Clinton-esque approach to dressing: if it's loud, it's all good, but if it's obnoxious, even better.
It wasn't always like this, however, low-key over-sized t-shirts and baggy trousers used to be his uniform. But the last couple of years has seen Dre experiment more and more as his star has shined even brighter. In head-to-toe plaid, mismatched
patterns, and colors that scream, he can clash with the best of them.
He also seems very influenced by fashion of the 30's and 40's: jazzy suits, high-waisted trousers, jeff caps, shiny spectator shoes, and fab fedoras inject a little Golden Hollywood-glamour into a genre more known for urban streetwear. But he'll always throw a wrench into his stylish spokes; wigs are often a popular choice, proving that nothing is off-limits for this innovator.(2004) | |
| A hip-hop hipster and one of the coolest cats around, MOS DEF has got natural
charisma and presence that other entertainers can only dream of. He has dubbed his music
"ghetto rock" and his style shares the same mix of old school street and rock 'n' roll.
One day
he'll pair the latest Adidas with a Led Zep t-shirt and skinny suspenders. Then you may see him
kitted out in Marc Jacobs trousers with a fleece hoodie and mesh baseball cap.
And with his vintage satin sports team jackets, classic Converse kicks, and newsboy caps, he could be Raj's superfly cousin on "What's Happening!!".
It seems that whatever ensemble Mos sports seems so effortless, you'd think he was born wearing it.
(2003) |
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Since 1976, DR. TEETH and the ELECTRIC MAYHEM have been entertaining cool kids
and their hip older siblings with over-the-top appearances on The Muppet Show.
And by the looks of their stage gear, they seem as though they haven't changed a bit in over
25 years.
The boys in the band mix up crazy stripes (Dr. Teeth), flashy military garb (Floyd),
understated hippiewear (Zoot), and psychedelic shlock (Animal).
However, it's Janice's
tight tops, long blond hair (she swears it's natural), and enviable eyelashes that provide the band with
its sex appeal. And she was flashing midriff way before Britney was
even thought of. (2003) | |
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At the '02 MTV VMA's, the WHITE STRIPES easily outclassed the rest of the trashy half-naked crowd; Jack White was dapper in a red shirt with white suit and tie while lovely Meg donned a long slinky red dress. (Miss Aguilera, are you reading this?)
By now, everyone knows that the carefully crafted yet minimalist approach the Detroit duo takes with their music is also reflected in their appearance: simple red, white, and black stylings are the rule, and a rule not to be broken: Jack and Meg refuse to be photographed out of their peppermint candy-colored gear and all of their music videos, publicity photos, and album covers follow this tight regiment as well. Their stage crew must also wear those all important colors, sporting black suits with red ties making them the best-dressed techies in the history of rock music.(2002) |
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