John the FASHION ICON

Ok, totally unrelated to the music but I just have to say that John had simply impeccable style. He was quirky and fun at times, but also understated and classic other times. I look at pictures of him and think, "my gosh, I see people wearing this all over Vogue."

So in the name of fashion I had to start a thread dedicated to John's other natural talent: dressing to kill. Unf, those who don't care and think this is far too shallow and unimportant I'm here to say it matters when someone that is no longer with us is still leading trends.

Just enjoy!!!! (And please, please share if you feel the way I do...)

Afghan jacket- this amazing jacket that John wore to the "Sgt. Pepper's" album launch is one of the most famous pieces of Beatles memorabilia, and definitely an iconic look for the man.
John's coat:

Modern comparison
I own this coat, from Anthropologie, and I adore it because it has that 60's flair with a little Russian influence. In any case, it is similar in many ways to John's coat for it's sheer uniqueness, the floral print, the length, and the collar. Ugh, I adore it.

graphic/slogan shirts- John wore TONS of shirts that had messages or pictures on them that usually made a bold statement, or just said something on them- like his very famous New York City image. In this day and age, you see them everywhere of course.


Modern looks- of course graphic tees are huge but it's pretty amazing to see famous people walking around wearing some of the ones John made iconic.

The all-white look- obviously, one of John's most recognizable looks, just up there with the young Beatle days, and the "Imagine" look. The all white suit is so evocative of his persona at the time. He had embraced the peace movement, was part of it, and this was the look he was embracing. (I even stuck 1980 John in all-white just to show it was no passing phase.)

Modern looks: Rupert Everett, Kanye, Jessica Alba...no one nearly as cool and amazing as John but this look is simply a hit in so many ways.

Denim on denim- this is big now, and when done well it looks pretty fantastic. John of course did it VERY well.

Modern looks

WOW you really have put together a great short history of John's fashion side! I don't know if I can contribute anything of interest in this thread, because there is fashion-concious and then there is fashion-unconscious. I am in the latter camp, and wouldn't know a truly fashionable look if it slapped me vigorously about the face
But I appreciate the zeal and knowledge you display concerning this subject! As they say..."You GO girl!"

Originally Posted by Apple Scruff

[b]Modern looks- of course graphic tees are huge but it's pretty amazing to see famous people walking around wearing some of the ones John made iconic.

Hi

Interesting topic; it's true that the "all white suit" is typical "Lennon" during the peace-movement. What a change, when you remember that John wore all black leather in the early Beatles days. He looks very smart in white clothes, although I find him more sexy in "all jeans"

I also love his afghan-jacket; I slightly remember having had a similar one in the mid-seventies

I'm proud to have a red/white t-shirt "You are here" in red/white and a "Come together" in green/rey, though I don't wear them at the office

But please tell me, who is the young guy wearing the shirt "Working class hero" and the dark cap and sun-glasses ???

Snoopy

Originally Posted by Snoopy66

But please tell me, who is the young guy wearing the shirt "Working class hero" and the dark cap and sun-glasses ???

Snoopy

That's some actor named Alex O'Loughlin who is on some re-make of Hawaii-Five 0. I just kind of liked the fact he had that shirt on.

Originally Posted by Apple Scruff

Ok, totally unrelated to the music but I just have to say that John had simply impeccable style.

Amen!! He definitely had an eye for fashion... but in a cool, non-metrosexual kind of way. He was of the time, but also a trendsetter. Ever since he used to dress like a Teddy boy, he just knew how to look cool.

Recently, I read in Glamour magazine that John Lennon glasses (round with tinted lenses) were "hot" right now.




Love these looks too:


This is fun... I'll look for more later...

wayfarers: this style of sunglasses is just a huge bang these days. Obviously, I also have had them for years (in multiple colors). My preference is almost always Ray-Bans, but I have been known to vary. I LOVE the yellow-tone ones John wore in 1980. LOVE. They're IN right now big-time.

Modern looks
[img]
Here are the modernized version of John's 1980 model:

Originally Posted by Maia 66

Amen!! He definitely had an eye for fashion... but in a cool, non-metrosexual kind of way. He was of the time, but also a trendsetter. Ever since he used to dress like a Teddy boy, he just knew how to look cool.

Recently, I read in Glamour magazine that John Lennon glasses (round with tinted lenses) were "hot" right now.

They SO are!! I was going to post about it but you beat me Maia! I got 2 new sunglasses for the Spring/Summer with John's look specifically in mind.
This pair by Ray-Ban:

and
This pair by Elizabeth and James:

Originally Posted by Apple Scruff

wayfarers: this style of sunglasses is just a huge bang these days.

I'm a wayfarers wearer from way back! My sunglasses are usually in that style (have two Ray Bans right now)... I generally prefer the retro-classics to the more trendy stuff. But I always wished I could wear the round tinted look, just doesn't work on me.

How classically cool is this preppy look?


Loud prints with classic jackets are still mighty hip:


How many rock stars look like this nowadays? Answer: A lot!!

This is fantastic! :D

This thread is great. Does anyone know about Johns Let it Be fur coat? Was it faux fur, and if not what kind? I've always wondered if Paul's lack of enthusiasm about re-releasing Let it Be might have something to do w that coat. I know it's a stretch but the Beatles have never ceased being trend setters, as evidenced by this thread.

Originally Posted by Colonel Angus

This thread is great. Does anyone know about Johns Let it Be fur coat? Was it faux fur, and if not what kind? I've always wondered if Paul's lack of enthusiasm about re-releasing Let it Be might have something to do w that coat. I know it's a stretch but the Beatles have never ceased being trend setters, as evidenced by this thread.

It was real fur. I'm sure Paul's feelings had nothing at all to do with the fur coat. Paul himself was still a meat-eater at that point so it would be pretty hypocritical to get uptight about something more than 30 years later. These guys all made many changes in their lives since then- especially John in all of 11 years! I personally chose not to include John's fur wearing as a fashion trend in this thread. All last fall and winter (as I visited NYC, Boston, Baltimore, and Chicago) I noticed women and men in real fur coats. I just don't see the appeal but I try not to judge. It's a pretty sensitive matter, so I decided that I would only post practically every other fashion trends John led/made unique. There were so many, lol!

Thanks for your post! Please join in if you want!!

I've always love the Wayfarer-esque Double Fantasy period shades. He appeared to have a couple pair. One w dark lenses and another clear pair. Do you know what the actual brand and style name was?

Originally Posted by Colonel Angus

I've always love the Wayfarer-esque Double Fantasy period shades. He appeared to have a couple pair. One w dark lenses and another clear pair. Do you know what the actual brand and style name was?

Yes! They were by the company Hakusan, the "Mayfair" model. John bought them in Japan in 1979. I guess he had them in three different color frames: clear, caramel-yellow, and honey-orange. And they all had the different lens color you referred to. John purchased the glasses at a store in Japan called Milkboy. Apparently, this store was a pretty hip store for the Japanese punk scene.

the Hakusan website (only in Japanese)

And on this page you can find the Ray-Ban reproduction of John's "Double Fantasy" sunglasses

Originally Posted by Colonel Angus

Does anyone know about Johns Let it Be fur coat?

I believe it was actually Yoko's coat...

Originally Posted by Maia 66

I believe it was actually Yoko's coat...

You are absolutely correct.

Originally Posted by Apple Scruff

You are absolutely correct.

Wasn't John like 5'10" or so? Yoko looks very diminutive beside him.

Originally Posted by Colonel Angus

Wasn't John like 5'10" or so? Yoko looks very diminutive beside him.

Yes, the coat was a longer coat on her.
On Yoko

On John


I think it was really cold and she offered him her coat. You know, because he was singing and all...