It's a sad day for music and culture. Musical iconoclast and style icon David Bowie died of cancer on Jan. 10 at the age of 69. Throughout his thrilling four-decade career, Bowie changed the script for rock music and fashion, due to his theatrical presentation and his ever-changing, gender-bending looks. His androgynous and colorful Ziggy Stardust look and his minimalist Thin White Duke persona are enduring and inspired a slew of artists who came after him, from Lady Gaga to Marilyn Manson.
Bowie was absolutely fearless when it came to experimenting with and changing his look. He had no boundaries and no limits. Pushing the fashion envelope was the norm for him.
Even when Bowie opted for a more classic look, like a suit, tux, or shirt-and-tie ensemble, these pieces, even when crisp and tailored, were never boring. He always maintained a fashion edge. Perhaps it was his aura. Maybe it was his slender frame. Maybe it was just the fact that he was David Bowie and could pull anything off. Maybe it's a combination of all those elements.
One thing is irrefutable — his look constantly evolved.
Let's remember some of Bowie's most insane looks throughout his life. Keep in mind that dapper for Bowie still featured some unusual or "out there" element or three. That's what made him a fashion icon.
1. Vested Interest
Here's Bowie, surrounded by rock stars and standing out, like always.
2. Suspended In Time
He easily pulled off high-waisted pants with suspenders and a tie. It would have been clownish on someone else. On Bowie, it was cool.
3. A White Bow-ie Tie
It's not often you see a white bow tie. But you saw it on Bowie.
4. The Man In Red
Check out that expert coordination. A red print suit with yellow patterns paired with a mustard-colored turtleneck? So, so supremely stylish.
5. Print Prince
Bowie did not fear prints nor did he fear the soul patch. It was a lot of look, but he slayed it.
6. Mega Mix & Match
Once again, Bowie wore a whole lot of look, mixing prints and textures while celebrating his milestone 50th birthday. Just check out the sheen on those pants. Only he could make this work.
7. Easy Being Green
Green might seem to be a suit color best reserved for The Joker or Kermit the Frog. But Bowie made being green so easy and fashionable in 1983, when big, boxy shoulders were totally a thing.
8. Accessorized
That belt. Bowie was also fond of high-waisted pants, as evidenced by repeat wears.
9. Shoulder Pads
Those shoulders pads were massive, like Dynasty-meets-the-NFL yet they did not overwhelm his slight frame.
10. Periwinkle
It's not an easy color to pull off, but this dusty blue worked with Bowie's light hair. Oh, and his "accessory" is a fellow icon!
11. Red Hot
Is it me or did Bowie make the mullet look good, thanks to this execution, which was him pairing with a tomato red suit?
12. Just Peachy
Clearly, Bowie did not fear color. Not even peach.
13. Coat Caper
Who wouldn't want to wear this coat? His wife Iman probably wanted to jack this print coat from him!
14. Long Hair, Don't Care
His long locks meshed quite nicely with that handkerchief in his pocket.
15. Changing His Stripes
It's clear that Bowie also had a thing for stripes of all direction, punching up his suit.
16. Rock The Bells
This is not any old tux. Let your eyes wander downward to his bellbottoms, worn in 2002. The tux game was totally changed.
17. Silver Bullet
So much texture! Bowie was a silver bullet in this suit, which got such a fashion boost from the material.
18. All In The Details
This suit was full of details, from the white applique to the fabric.
RIP, Mr. Bowie, International Man of Style.
