David Bowie was Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, The Thin White Duke, A dapper gentleman and a style icon throughout his career. He was unarguably fashion's king of self-invention. As well as being a musical genius, he was the ultimate rule breaker continually re-inventing, innovating and challenging our pre-conceptions of fashion.
Bowie changed his style more dramatically than any other musician in history. His transformations brought about seismic cultural shifts, changing the definition of what it meant to be a popular rock star. For Bowie clothes were a way of projecting self-expression, a powerful tool in communicating individuality at its most extreme, glittering and creative.
I was privileged to witness this not only throughout my life but at the Bowie Exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2015. It was inspirational to say the least!
We may not want to be as extreme as David Bowie in our approach to fashion, but do you ever feel you favour the same old way of dressing and get a little bored with how you look? So let’s rip up that rule book - ready, set, reverse!
1. Break the rule – no showing off
Embellishment is big this season and it’s such a shame to keep it for best. Re-spin your going out wardrobe to day-time by dressing down with flats or trainers and yes definitely wear sequins in the day.
2. Break the rule – hemlines must match
There was a time we were told coat lengths had to cover skirts. The High Street has been playing around with proportions for seasons, so wear cropped or knee length trousers with a ¾ length coat.
3. Break the rule – don’t clash warm and cool shades
Thought red and green should never be seen – think again. Gold and silver, hot pink and lime green, orange and blue, mustard and grey make a wonderful colour palette – stretch those pre-conceptions and get noticed!
4. Break the rule – gloss first
Turn any lipstick into an easy to wear shade. Instead of applying your lippie then a gloss, coat your pout in gloss first then pat the lipstick on top to give a subtle ‘kiss’ of colour, rather than a pigmented pop.
5. Break the rule – switch up your scarf
Is there anything more versatile than a scarf? As well as adorning our necklines, work around your waist which will result in the new ‘It’ belt. Whether sitting on top of a miniskirt or in a contrasting print to your dress, nothing could be easier to upgrade your outfit.
6. Break the rule – don’t mix patterns
Florals for Spring/Summer may not be ground breaking but they are if you wear them with check prints. As two of the boldest patterns around, they make the ultimate style statement worn together. The secret when mixing patterns though is make sure you keep to the same colour ways. Think tartan midi skirt with bloom blouse.
7. Break the rule – you can’t stay in your PJs all day!
Ever wished you could stay in your PJs all day? Well, now you can. From silky separates to slouchy two-pieces, the cool girls are rocking pyjamas as an every-day outfit. And finally…
8. Break the rule – don’t dress like a tom boy
The one fashion trick you need to master is the masculine and feminine fusion. A zip-up tomboy bomber and borrowed-from-the boy’s brogues gives a pretty full skirt an unexpected edge.
So, now you’re ready to rock and be a leader not a follower and pay homage - then remember my advice and the lyrics from David Bowie’s single Fashion
Fashion! Turn to the left
Fashion! Turn to the right
Oooh, fashion!
David – we salute you!
Written by Shan Williams, Personal Stylist
For more inspiration view on Pinterest board https://uk.pinterest.com/colourmebeautuk/rebel-rebel/
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Image courtesy of Pinterest.