Casual Fridays #7: Steve Marriott

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.

Can you ever really get enough photos of 1960s Steve Marriott? Nah! Here is one of my faves of the guy just cold kickin' it Mod style:

First off, he's got that classic Marriot hairstyle going on. Notice that his sides only go down to around the bottom of his ear, though? These days, Mod dudes look like they're reaching 'skinbyrd' levels of fringe. Wonder if Paul Weller's to blame for that?

Secondly, take a look at that great cardigan! Monochromatic blues with great striping down the center, nice flat collar, and chest pocket with navy/white striping. For years, I wanted a cardigan like this. Well, that search ended a while ago thanks to these guys! What I like about Steve's use of this cardigan here is how he matched it up with those brown trousers (browns 'n' blues, always a winner!).

Speaking of those trousers, Mod guys take note! See how un-tapered they are? Admittedly, it took me several years to come around to this style of trouser hem width, but once I did, I never looked back. These trousers are tighter around the thighs and come down straight toward the shoe, without tapering at the ankle. Perfect trousers without looking peg-legged!

Then we end with the white chisel-toed steps. Personally, I don't know if I can pull off white shoes anymore, but these look fantastic! Nice detailing up the sides, great toe, and a small, clean heal that contrasts with the uppers.

This, my friends, is how you play it casual. Now, start the weekend off with some Small Faces goodness.

Sharp Stylings #1

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. (And please, if you have a better name for this section than 'Fashion Friday' (ugh), I'd love to hear it and would be most appreciative!)

Let’s take a look this week at an immaculate pre-‘Tin Soldier’, pre-‘Lazy Sunday’, pre-Humble Pie, pre-Packet of Three Steve Marriott. I’m not down on any of that, mind you, but this right here… hands-down, one of my favorite images from Richard Barnes’s Mods book:

My friends, you've just been served. Cold gaze, relaxed stance, beautiful suit… Even without the tie, Steve’s just raised the bar on lookin’ sharp. Let’s dissect this one real quick:

1. Back-comb hair style – Right there, my favorite ‘Mod’ hair style. Bangs parted down the middle, sides going down to the bottom of the ear, and a back-comb about 3 inches up from the top of his head.  Young guys take note: take advantage of this look while you still have enough hair!

2. Thin, high-cut lapel – Very well-cut lapel with the roll almost an inch above the top button. Even when that top button is unbuttoned, the lapel still lays so that the jacket looks closed to the top. Sweet!

3. Ring – You don’t need to be Hal Jordan to rock the ring. (Hmm… this might be a dated reference by the end of the summer movie season.) 

4. Narrow, chisel-toe shoes – Pants are cut a little high with no break. For us short people, gives the illusion that we’re taller than we are, but I don’t really recommend you try this at home unless you’re well under 5’8”. Personally, I think Steve just knew his shoes couldn’t be blocked by any trouser fabric. Can you blame him? Look at the stitching around the laces and the toe on those things!

That’s it for this week. Keep stylin’ in the free world!