Casual Friday #13: Charlie Watts

Working to look sharp for a rare evening out on the town can actually be easy. The tough job is trying to look sharp on a daily, casual basis. Yeah, you might have your Friday night suit at your beck and call, but what does it matter if you spend the rest of your time in target t-shirts and jeans? Every Friday, I'd like to offer up some style inspiration for tightening up your casual look, because let's face it... sometimes you just don't feel like wearing a tie, but still want to keep it sharp.

Like my friend Susan (who sent me the photo) said, "Style over 70." And sure 'nuff, Charlie Watts, in his 70s, just kicks out the style even when he's not posing for photo shoots or playing with the band. Here he is just keeping it casual:

Seriously, how many guys from those mid-'60s bands still carry this kind of style in their older years? He's even got a pair of striped socks to throw in a splash of 'pow' to a grey color scheme. But everything in this photo, from the coat, scarf, and vest down to those striped socks and loafers, captures a warm, casual look for a cool day.

But no matter how cold it was that day, it doesn't come near Charlie Watt's cool hang.
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Sharp Stylings #56: Charlie Watts

We can learn so much from yesterday’s fashion icons.  And living in a post-Mad Men world means we can even enjoy aspects of current male fashions! Every Friday, I’d like to start your weekend off right with a little style inspiration from either then or now. Hopefully, my fellow Mod enthusiasts will find the whole or some detail of the whole to appreciate and maybe even adopt.

Have you hugged your local drummer today? Because, man, those guys are some of the hardest working guys in the music business. Trust me, I've seen enough live bands to notice how difficult it's gotta be up there on stage, pounding away on the sticks, and working up a sweat. It's totally understandable why Keith Moon and countless other drummers settle for wearing a t-shirt while playing.

But then you got guys like Charlie Watts who, sometimes, don't let all that hard work get in the way of good style:

From the VoxSartoria site. Thanks to Chris P. for hippin' me to this!

Not only is Charlie Watts drumming while dappered up... he's drumming while rockin' a full-on Ivy look! Check it out: thin, pretty conservative-looking tie, white button-down shirt with french cuff and cufflinks, and narrow, double-breasted jacket.  It don't get much cooler than this. I've mentioned before how stylin' Watts could be, but this is just a great shot of him swank and in action.

Yeah, next time you consider wearing a suit and tie too much 'hard work' for hanging out with your friends and family, keep Charlie Watts in mind. This is how he dresses for manual labor!

Now dig on the man just doing his job:

Sharp Stylings #12: Charlie Watts

We can learn so much from yesterday’s fashion icons.  And living in a post-Mad Men world means we can even enjoy aspects of current male fashions! Every Friday, I’d like to start your weekend off right with a little style inspiration from either then or now. Hopefully, my fellow Mod enthusiasts will find the whole or some detail of the whole to appreciate and maybe even adopt.

[Mod Male is on vacation at this time so won't be able to respond to any comments.]  

In the British Style Genius video I linked to on Monday, Charlie Watts (y'know, Rolling Stones drummer and all) was featured in some of the interviews, which I thought was a good choice. Having not read up much on his life (which I plan to remedy in the future), I wasn't sure what his involvement was with early Mods. That said, this guy had impeccable style back then:

Taken from the Relais Madeleine Paris site, filled with great photos and autographs of '60s figures.

Great hair, nice button-down shirt, thin tie, with a form-fitting suit, Watts is looking stone-cold hip here as he takes some time for a fan.

But even more importantly, this guy has not let up on the style well into his older age! While most 'rock stars' are out there trying desperately to hold on to their youth, Charlie Watts is usually seen in a tailored suit and tie. No, he's not walking around in Mod-stye suits or anything, but he is always looking dapper and well put-together. Again, a lesson for all us aging guys... we don't have to give in to casual simply because it's comfortable. Think about it... while Paul Weller is walking around in tank tops singlets*, Charlie Watts is straight-loungin' like this:

And y'know what? He probably dresses this nice just to do his backyard gardening! Dang!

*Yes, I know there are photos of Charlie in tank tops in the 1970s... but that decade was messed up for almost EVERYONE style-wise. I'll give the guy a pass.