Reminiscing 10 Spectacular David Bowie Outfits

Last week, 8th January, would have been David Bowie’s 74th Birthday. Not only did the Starman substantially impact pop music, he similarly left his mark on the realm of fashion. Bowie held a sovereign position as fashion’s king of self-reinvention: from Ziggy Stardust to Aladdin Sane and The Thin White Duke. He possessed a great eagerness to continually change up his look, blur boundaries and break down old-fashioned notions of sexuality.

In memory of the late legend, I have charted 10 of my most favourite Bowie fashions.

1.     1971 

Flared trousers, flowing locks and the energy of a 70s distant relative. By comparison to Bowies later looks this portrait seems somewhat tame and laid back. Though it non-the-less gives us a taste of Bowie’s gender-bending ambition. One could say, a more wearable Bowie.

2.    1973 

This asymmetrical leotard worn for a 1971 performance in Los Angeles is simply magnificent. Now mullets have seeped into the mainstream and are back for 2021, I wonder if flaming one-legged, one-pieces will also. I can only wish, once national lockdowns are lifted, to be greeted, beyond the confines of my flat, by a sea of spandex wearing, mullet topped neighbours. What a world that would be. Everybody, needles and scissors at the ready!

3.    1973

Here Bowie wears another printed jumpsuit to pose for a portrait of Ziggy Stardust in a New York City hotel. The floral one-piece is incredible, though the pattern today reminds me of cushions covers found in a gentrified café in East London.  But what lovely cushions they would be. I would buy an extra shot oat flat white there, for sure!

4.    1973

Striped, bulbous and a beautiful optical illusion. This sculptural Kansai Yamamoto garment is jaw-dropping and was used to promote the Aladdin Sane tour in 1973. 

5.    1974

Photographed by Terry O’Neil, Bowie styled himself in this suit for the promotion of his Diamond and Dogs tour. O’Neil recalls that Bowie ‘walked into the studio with the most vibrant yellow-mustard suit and his hair was multi-coloured- a combination of yellow, orange and red’.

6.    1974

Dressed as Halloween Jack, a persona created for his 1974 album Diamond and Dogs, the artist wears a Freddie Burretti ensemble. Who would have thought that a polka neck scarf, an eye patch, and a sheer deep-cut organza blouse tucked into rib-high scarlet overalls would be a masterful fashion choice? Not me, though I have been sorely mistaken. 

7.    1977 

This is a more paired down Bowie, beyond that of his spectacular stage looks. The outfit however does not disappoint, for he wears a leather jacket, striped scarf and flared trousers. Anyone that can pull off a leather jacket in a non-mid-life crisis, personal revamp kind of way is a winner in my eyes.

8.    1978 

For a performance in Frankfurt Germany, Bowie is photographed wearing a bright tie dye shirt and some exceptionally voluminous trousers. The palazzos are cinched in at the waist, which at the time was rumoured to be a mere 26 inches! 

9.     1991 

Photographed with his wife, supermodel Iman, the fashion powerhouse were captured outside of Spago’s, Beverly Hills. Bowie is dressed in taupe menswear suiting and Iman in a structural leather jacket. Whilst the duo, with their 24 yearlong marriage, have had countless couples’ outfits, the timelessness of this pairing is one of sheer perfection. Where can I find myself an Iman to have couple pictures with?

10.    1996

Alexander McQueen, another British fashion saint, created Bowie this Union Jack coat for his 1996 album Earthlings. Bowie liked the look so much that he even wore it on the cover of the record. Now, whilst I fear the Union Jack as a symbol, has been somewhat tinged, by extreme Brexiters set in opposition to the European Union, the craftmanship of the McQueen coat is undeniable. 

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