Sharp-Dressed Men Our Very First First Decade of Stone Cold Foxiness Webster's definition of stylish is "conforming to current fashion". And although that can be true, that is not how we define it here at The Dedicated Follower of Fashion. We prefer to think of the most stylin' individuals as cats who are non-conformists, those who set the trends, rather than follow them. Each and every guy (and girl) on the following few pages has his own thing going on that didn't come off of a mannequin in Bloomingdales or the racks of Abercrombie and Fitch. Some of them prefer to shop in second-hand shops while others are always on the look-out for what's new. Almost all of them are unpredictable. Surely it's a difficult task to be hot and cool at the same, but trust us, the following cast of characters has got it down perfectly.

	OK Go have always had our hearts. Even before they became treadmill dancing video stars, attending one of their live shows would have made even the most jaded of audience members crush hard. Sure singer Damian Kurlash is easy on the eyes (dur), but it's really the boys' collectively cheeky onstage antics that win people over every time. Fittingly, this humor-with-style personality is also reflected in their fashion choices.
Sporting suits and ties that are as smart as they are, what really sets them apart from their dandy pop peers are the details. Shades of brown and gold instead of black. Accents of turquoise and pink instead of grey. Paisley with pinstripes? Hells yeah! The punches of color bring the formality down and give the boys a distinctive look without turning down the charm. Not really appropriate gymwear, but OK Go do sort of make you wish that the dude on the stair-stepper next to you would have dressed-up for the occassion. (2006)

Canada's HOT HOT HEAT have always looked hipster-rock cool with requisite thrift store tees and skinny jeans but with the release of their second album, it seems these boys have put in some extra time picking out their clothes. Elevator may be chock full of bouncy organ-driven pop, but one look at Hot Hot Heat and they look more like New Wave pioneers with Wild West-inspired black vests, white shirts, and scarves. There's also a little bit of 60's mod thrown in in the form of double-breasted peacoats, velvet jackets, and skinny ties. But there are a few mainstays here, mostly belonging to singer Steve Bays, who still has that amazing head of Raggedy Andy curls and continues to wear the tightest trousers around (this is a good thing, a VERY good thing). (2005)

With a sound that combines old school hip hop, funk, dancehall, and rock, it's no wonder that the BLACK EYED PEAS have a look that's just as eclectic. And when you have four distinct personalities like this, it may seem like a task to get a cohesive look but somehow, these Peas do it with ease. Formerly of the baggy tees and jeans variety, BEP has since thrown out that tired gear, replacing it with more dapper 3-button jackets and button-down shirts. The mixed ethnicities of the band members are also reflected with multi-culti flair and Jamaican, African, and Asian flavors (lots of stripes, wild prints, and bright colors). And although Ms. Fergie has had her share of fashion mishaps, she still has the best set of abs this side of Crunch Fitness. (2005)

The first time I saw FRANZ FERDINAND perform it was at the packed 200 capacity Mercury Lounge and although they sounded great, I couldn't help but notice their ensembles: cheesy vintage disco shirts and high-waisted polyester flared pants (you wouldn't have wanted to light a cigarette near them for fear of major meltdown). Needless to say, they were quirky but in need of a little help. What a difference a hit record makes! Nowadays, you're more likely to see them sporting preppy designer togs that aren't a fire hazzard. There's lots of black, but with pops of color and they have a great habit of mixing and matching suit pieces with 80's leather jackets. But you'll rarely see a tie as these lads prefer to unbutton their shirts, collars spread, lounge lizard-style. So rather than completely overhauling their look, they more or less kicked it up a notch proving that all makeovers don't have to be so extreme. (2005)

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)

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)

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)

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)

With short flooded trousers and shiny white loafers, one might think THE HIVES, were a band of, well, nerds. But nothing could be further from the truth. Their sharp matching black and white stage ensembles are pure 60's garage rock band-meets-the Mafia. The smallest details get just as much attention: shoes are always shined, shirts always pressed, and belt buckles have their individual stage names etched on them. They also know how to keep it together: even with all the jumping and dancing, frontman Howlin' Pelle never has a hair out of place. (2002)

RYAN ADAMS has always looked like he's just rolled out of bed after a night of drunken madness. But even though he says his hard-core party days are over (we don't quite believe him, though), he still looks as irresistably unkempt as ever. He never seems as if he's trying too hard with his messy jet black mop of hair or his perfectly flared pair of jeans and faded denim jacket. He's almost always sporting some sort of vintage western shirt. Even the Cartier aviators look like an afterthought. Now if we could just do something about that temper...(2002)

It seems like out of nowhere, NYC scenesters THE STROKES exploded to the top of the international music scene (it took all of a year and a half, to be exact). And with so much attention comes a lot interest in every aspect of the band. As a result, their look has become as big a topic on internet chat boards as where to find that bootleg copy of "New York City Cops". Combining blazers with skinny ties, blue jeans, and a whole lotta attitude, these kids are poster boys for a 70's/80's fashion blender. They single-handedly made Converse a hot commodity when thousands of kids ditched their Nikes for the more "punk rock" appropriate Chuck Taylors. Julian Casablancas can also be credited for making white belts more than just an accessory for mod revival ists. (2002)

Singer-songwriter BEN HARPER defines California casual. His style perfectly mirrors his music: rootsy, folky, and meticulously hand-crafted. Whether it's a down-home cowboy shirt with a white tank top or combat trousers and a funky knit cap, there's usually an Afrocentric flare to whatever Ben wears. Plus, he knows better than anyone how to look fine in dusty denim.(2001)

CHRIS ISAAK has done a bad bad thing: by making sultry videos that reflect his sleazy side, he has become a bonafied sex symbol. Chris is rarely seen not wearing a suit, though you'll never catch him sporting the average Armani. Electric blue, shocking purple, covered in mirrors, he's worn it all. Like Johnny Cash and Buck Owens before him, this rockabilly hipster prefers his threads to be louder than his screaming fans. (2001)

In the early days, SUEDE was dismissed due to their obvious sense of style. These days, however, they're more often praised for it. Accessorized by lots of attitude, Suede looks smart in most everything they wear. Sleek leather jackets and trousers are common, and usually black. Even in second-hand t-shirts and jeans, the bandmates tend to evoke that sense of glamour they are famous for. (2001)