American musician Beck Hansen has always had good taste. Just look at his 1990s music videos for proof: from “Devils Haircut” (within which he styles a stunning leather jacket and white Western hat – very Midnight Cowboy) to “The New Pollution” (his pastel blue suit in this has some of the best lapels in fashion history). Much like his music, his style is straight up cool – and has evolved to sit perfectly in 2020's menswear scene.
In the past year alone, Beck has braved (and pulled off) some of the most daring sartorial moves we've seen. Striking three-piece suits? Check – he's got Hedi Slimane to thank for those. 1970s references? Also check – the singer has an excellent selection of ruffled blouses hanging in his wardrobe. As for texture? He does it romantically – with velvet being a favourite. But in keeping with his signature old-school look, he still regularly tops his outfits off with a classic black fedora.
Added up, all of this is proof that for this man, style knows no age limit. So today, as he celebrates his 50th birthday, we've collated five of Beck's most recent outfits and detailed the lessons to take from them.
When: 28 January 2020
Why it works: Although we can't wear too many layers in summer, that doesn't mean we have to bid farewell to tailoring altogether. Rather, the key is to upgrade it to lighter shades and a perfect point of reference is this above look by Beck. Ruffled shirt, high-waisted trousers (we need the number of his tailor), a dusty collarless jacket and burgundy boots, this ensemble is sharp and romantic all at once, making for an excellent combination.
When: 2 November 2019
Why it works: One key thing to know about Beck's approach to tailoring? It's never – and we mean never – boring. Case in point: this look he wore to the LACMA Art + Film Gala last year in Los Angeles, for which he paired possibly the greatest velvet suit we've seen (look at those flares!) with a rich satin blouse and classic leather loafers. No surprise it's all so good, as it's all from Gucci. But the tip to take? Opt for classic pieces in a variety of textures for an instant win. Oh, and get yourself a signature accessory (in Beck's case, a fedora).
When: 18 February 2020
Why it works: You hear the word layering, your mind likely goes to a few practical pieces pulled together to battle the cold. Rightly so, but you can also style multiple pieces in a lighter way and here Beck is showing us how to do it with ease. For the base: a white vest (the lower the neckline, the better). Next up: a printed shirt – polka dot is a smart choice. And to finish? A varsity jacket, ideally left open to reveal your styling underneath.
When: 22 September 2019
Why it works: Beck loves his simple polka dot shirts, but he's also not scared of the occasional print clash – and for that we call him a serious style aficionado. The key to mixing up your patterns – and, more importantly, getting away with it – is by embracing them in a mixture of more muted tones. A fine example of it working can be found in the above outfit: wide, striped trousers (a clever tailoring move that makes you look that bit taller) and a deep golden collared shirt (this one is perfectly monogrammed with subtle hints of colour).
When: 26 January 2020
Why it works: A three-piece suit might not be on the cards for the very near future – but we can still plan ahead. Case in point, this impeccable Celine suit worn by Beck earlier this year. Swapping a traditional pinstripe for a sparking embellishment, the slim-fitting silhouette looks absolutely stellar. Pairing it with a crisp white shirt, polka dot tie and pointed white boots, this is simple proof that Beck knows style.
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