How music influences fashion

Hey guys, this is a post I’ve been trying to write for ages but put it off for fear of not getting my words right. I want to talk about the link between music and fashion. Music icons have given me so much joy (I even named this blog after a Bowie song).

Music has always been linked with fashion. In the 50s when youth culture really boomed. Teenagers were getting jobs therefore having a disposable income but were no longer happy having the same tastes as their parent’s generations. Soon there is music, record shops, dinners and more just aimed at the teenage market meaning they had their own space in society this led to their own style. No one wanted to dress like their parents, they had money to spend and for the first time musicians, they wanted to be like. Slowly subcultures began to increase whether it was the mods or rockers these two iconic subcultures were both dominated by music. Artists would fall into either group and everything they wore would follow. Each group had such a distinctive style your outfit choice defined who you were. Depending on whether a stranger wore a leather jacket or a suit you could tell their class, their music taste even their values in life.

As the decades past more subcultures developed like the punks or skinheads whos clothes were even more influenced by music. Just look at a designer like Vinene Westwood whose whole brand is based around the punk, music aesthetic specifically Sex Pistols. Music and fashion are not limited to subcultures though as MTV launched and music videos became a huge part of popular culture there was more opportunity for teenagers to be inspired by musicians outfits. Whether it was Nirvana and the grunge aesthetic, Madona in Desperately seeking Susan making every teenage girl wear head to toe lace, leotards and tutus or Stevie Nicks making the bohemian dress a must.

I could sit here all day listing every musician who bought a trend to life. Even as I was growing up in the noughties people were influenced by the RnB music scene or on the other hand, the emo scene rose (who remembers Blue Banana or Hot topic, shops purely for people into a very specific type of music) whatever music you were into in the noughties your outfit could give it away.

Today subcultures are way less prominent and you can argue even music influences fashion less as now people can be directly influenced by people on Instagram. However I would still say music is one of the biggest influences for me when I want to be more creative with my style I try to think would Prince, Bowie or Dolly Parton wear this when I’m in a vintage shop browsing. This insanely cool top from Monki is the perfect example, okay lightning bolt existed before Bowie but let’s be honest I ran towards this top instore based on my love for Bowie and the aesthetic he created. I still think it’s just the coolest print ever.

I know I am not the first person to talk about Bowie when talking about music and fashion but he is just the best example. In the seventies androgynous style was huge within music with people like Adam and the ants, Boy George, Prince, Elton John and Bowie just to name a few. These amazing men were so creative with their style, creating characters on stage playing with makeup in a way not many people have the confidence to do now. Even if you aren’t inspired by their specific outfits we should all take away their confidence and creativity.

Instagram is fabulous and there are so many bloggers whose style can influence me but nothing comes close to watching re-runs of a Top of the pops from 1974 and being mesmerised by the outfits. Music now is a less unattainable style but is still linked hugely with my style.

As much as we can glamourise how cool subcultures were it is pretty cool now that you can chop and change between styles and your music taste doesn’t have to strictly fit with how you dress. As you know my music taste is so varied. My shuffle can go from Dolly Parton to Slipknot in five minutes and therefore my style is just as over the place but I love it.

I want to find the perfect Purple Rain Esque Prince blazer, the most Elton John style pastel coloured suit but I can’t dress like that every day sometimes my loyalties lie with the jeans and leather jacket combo inspired by anyone and everyone with some teenage angst and a guitar.

Do you think your music taste influences your style? Who is your ultimate musician style icon?

Love Charlotte xxx