Although David Bowie might be artistically celebrated for pushing boundaries in music, he also revolutionized the fashion scene with his avant-garde style. Bowie’s signature eccentricity and boundary-breaking attitude made him a fashion maverick, altering ideals of masculinity and beauty throughout the late 20th century and continuing to inspire the world of fashion even today. The following article will explore the remarkable impact of the iconic style of the inimitable David Bowie.
1. An Unparalleled Maverick: Exploring David Bowie’s Remarkable Fashion Sense
David Bowie, the legendary musician who revolutionized the persona of a performer with his eclectic and sometimes outrageous fashion sense, encaptulated in part by his globally acclaimed alter-ego Ziggy Stardust, continues to amaze music lovers and fashion enthusiasts alike.
Bowie’s uniqueness was born out of a combination of wholly original custom pieces, heavily genre-influenced garments and out-of-the-box personal styling sequences. His fashion sensibilities ran the gamut from androgynous 1950s glamour to high-tech science fiction and everything in between.
Whether it was his platform boots, bright colored patterned suits or the multiple face concealing masks, Bowie wore these items with aplomb. His extraterrestrial costumes and outlandish leotards were not just fashion statements but feats of identification of himself and his character.
An unparalleled maverick of individual style, Bowie’s many unique looks are an inexhaustible source of inspiration today, informing modern fashion and music. Here are a few of the remarkable looks that David Bowie created:
- leotards such as the storage-pocket cyborg jumpsuit designed by Billy Dynamite for Aladdin Sane, 1973
- glittering cloaks such as the “Rock Pool” metallic embellished cape created by Kansai Yamamoto for the Ziggy Stardust album, 1973
- jumpsuits such as the rain-printed design of the Man Who Fell To Earth promo shoots, 1976
- medieval garments like the intricate period-detail suit made for him by Nikolai Of Russia furniture designers, 1986
- modern menswear combinations like the combination of acid washed jeans with a crisp white collarless shirt, c.1983
Bowie’s persona has pushed boundaries to define fashion culture, inspiring generations of musicians, designers and more. To this day, his striking and idiosyncratic, yet daring and beautifully timeless style continues to be a timeless source of inspiration.
2. Breaking Fashion Barriers: How Bowie Changed the Landscape of Style
From a Glittery Ziggy Stardust to the Ultimate Dandy
David Bowie’s experimental style has been an inspiring force for fashion since the 70s. He effortlessly navigated the boundaries between androgyny and glamour, taking risks with bold and daring fashion choices. He never shied away from experimenting with color, texture, and silhouettes, and his ensembles perfectly blended art, avant-garde, and fashion.
His androgynous and inimitable style was a pioneer in the music industry, challenging its traditional standards and blurring the gender lines. His dramatic costumes, outrageous hairstyles, and Forbes’ famous lightning bolt face paint made him an icon and eventually a fashion-culture idol.
Bowie’s sense of style evolved as much as his music did, from his daring Ziggy Stardust phase and his incarnation of Aladdin Sane to his iconic white suit on the cover of “The Man Who Sold the World” album, often seen reinterpreted by the fashion industry. He was also a big fan of tailoring, court shoes, and hats, and his interest in silhouettes, perfectly composed costumes, and avant-garde textures made him stand out from others.
- The minimal Thin White Duke design was an ode to ’60s and ’70s aesthetics.
- His yen for dressing in luxurious fabrics kept up with a flamboyant legacy.
- He pioneered the trend of shoulder-padded suits which became popular in the ’80s.
- His early genre of glam-rock style is still seen in different interpretations on the runway.
Credited with launching the androgynous chic movement that spread around the world, Bowie certainly redefined fashion standards and allowed us to wear our uniqueness with pride. We can only thank him for his pioneering effort in the fashion industry.
3. A Subculture of Its Own: Popularizing and Defining “Bowie Style”
David Bowie and His Imprint on the Popular Fashion
There is no denying that the unique style and verve of the late singer-songwriter David Bowie had an imprint on popular fashion. His androgynous stage presence and eccentric wardrobe were iconic, inspiring generations of fashion designers and trendsetters. His influence on the fashion world is unmistakable and can be seen in his myriad of memorable looks through the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s.
The many stylish styles Bowie experimented with over the years have become known as the ‘Bowie Style.’ Whether it be the glittery spandex suit of his 1976 tour, his 1980 “Scary Monsters” bright yellow electric jumpsuit, or his futuristic Ziggy Stardust getup, Bowie mixed a wide variety of fabrics, textures, colors, and silhouette to create completely unique and instantly recognizable looks.
- His pastel suit with a turtleneck and tight-fitting slacks in the 1969 film The Man Who Sold the world
- The wide-brimmed hats made famous in 1974’s Diamond Dogs concept album
- The bold statement made by his long, yellow coat in the 1983 music video for his single Let’s Dance
Bowie’s influences extended well beyond the fashion world. He was a big fan of Japanese history and design, and this can be seen in his many outfits. In the early 70s, Bowie sported a wild yellow and orange striped kimono, and his 1976 floor-length silk kabuki outfit featured a bright red-and-white belt. These looks became instant hits and were mimicked and recreated by countless admirers throughout the years.
Bowie’s style is timeless. He wasn’t afraid to experiment with different textures, shapes, and colors to create truly unique and bold outfits. His style has transcended time and will continue to be remembered as one of the most iconic fashion statements ever created.
4. Still a Fashion Icon: The Unending Legacy of David Bowie’s Fashion Sense
At His Groundbreaking Performance of “Space Oddity,” the Lodger Era Begins
In 1969, Ziggy Stardust — the iconic alter ego of rock pioneer David Bowie — began his journey into the musical stratosphere with the release of “Space Oddity.” While many people know the tune as the classic Mr. Stardust sent out to the world, few realize the meteoric beginnings of Bowie’s fashion sense that began with this iconic performance. With long, red hair and a jumpsuit of vibrant yellow and orange print, the look that Bowie created set the tone for the rest of his career.
After the Lodger Era, Bowie Shows the World His Variation on Suited-Up Style
The Lodger era style was only the beginning of Bowie’s evolution as a fashion icon. As he made his way through the ’70s, Bowie gave the world more than his hit tunes, his spikey hair and his platform boots; he also started wearing more tailored, “normal” attire, like the timeless suit. By dressing up his look with colorful trim, detail and lapels — and then accessorizing with unique items like a pair of round sunglasses — Bowie created a new, iconic style that would be forever etched in the fashion history books.
- Tailored suits in a variety of colors and textures
- Dusting off vintage looks from the ’50s and ’60s
- Mixing and matching bold colors for outfits
- Making sure the fit is perfect
From Punk-Rock Edge in the ’90s to His Latest Endeavors
In the decades that followed, Bowie approached fashion with renewed vigor, starting with the punk-rock edge of his Look Back in Anger days in the ’90s. He stayed true to his roots of individualism by using leather, chains, and other punk-inspired accessories to accessorize his looks.
His style legacy has yet to end, and his latest endeavors are evidence of this. Whether he’s rocking undeniable colors and prints on the red carpet or embracing his age-defying rocker look, the world can always trust that Bowie will show us something new and innovative. From his Ziggy Stardust days to now, Bowie’s style remains an influence in the world of fashion.
David Bowie’s impact on fashion is something that cannot be overstated. His legacy will live on for generations to come, as his unique fearlessness and drive continues to stir the avant-garde world of fashion in new and exciting ways. His witty expression and style left an indelible mark on the fashion world that will never be forgotten. Bowie will always remain a fashion maverick in the industry divine.
