Things to Wear to Look Like a Rock Star for Guys

Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler is a rock 'n' roll fashion icon.

From the British Invasion to punk, heavy metal to glam rock, the rebellious rocker look has captured the fascination of rocker wannabes since the birth of rock 'n' roll. Whether you aspire to front your own band or simply want to express your own brand of individuality, the rocker look is designed to set you apart from the ordinary. There is no color-by-numbers rule book to look like a rock star: You just take who you are and turn it up to rock it loud and proud.

Careful Chaos

Eclecticism shows the world you march by the beat of your own drum. Steve Perry, former lead singer of Journey, wore tuxedo tails with his T-shirts. Long after bell-bottoms went out of fashion, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler still rocked them. The Darkness' Justin Hawkins brought the one-piece, form-fitting bodysuit back to rock 'n' roll in the 21st century, summoning up the fashion spirit of Queen's Freddie Mercury.

Leather

Whether it was Elvis swiveling his hips in a leather suit, or Jim "the Lizard King" Morrison slinking around in leather pants, leather and rock 'n' roll have gone hand in hand almost since rock's inception. In the 1980s, Rob Halford, former lead vocalist of heavy metal group Judas Priest, turned it up a notch. He introduced studded leather as a pseudo uniform for those who wanted to rock hard. Whether tight leather pants, a leather jacket or leather studded accessories, this material projects an edgier, tougher image.

Accessories

As Steven Tyler's scarves and Bret Michael's iconic bandanna prove, accessories often make the rocker. Bracelets, rings, belts and boots all work to your advantage to complete your look, and make you stand out in the crowd. Such accessories can be as masculine, or feminine, as you dare. For bands like KISS, Kabuki makeup helped define their image; such bands as Motley Crue, Poison and Twisted Sister would later use this kind of makeup. Similarly, glam rockers like David Bowie have used sexual ambiguity to their advantage.

Keeping It Simple

In the 1990s, grunge rockers like Nirvana's Kurt Cobain and Eddie Vedder used the strategic use of flannel to deal a near fatal blow to their overly styled heavy metal counterparts. Don't discount the simple appeal of jeans and a T-shirt, which worked well for 1980's rock icons like Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp. Jeans and a T-shirt provide a basic foundation for your look; you can add your individuality with a funky hat or styled jacket.

References

• New York Magazine: Look Like a Rock Star
• Esquire: How to Dress Like a Rock Star on the Cheap
• Citizine: Grunge