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James Bay is the epitome of contemporary rock star styling. Long locks, skinny jeans and that iconic fedora hat, Bay has become an icon in his own right. It’s a strong look, but one that is easy to recreate for wannabe indie rock n rollers.
Quite literally for as long as we can remember, the front men of rock have been at the fore of style, famed and infamous for their anti-establishment and rebellious looks. From Mick Jagger to Alex Turner, rock has had its fair share of stylish men, but arguably the most contemporary has to be James Bay.
James Bay Fedora Hat
Okay, so we couldn’t start without first addressing the obvious. James Bay’s fedora hat is something of myth and legend at this point. Granted, it might be a required taste and take some balls to pull off, but if you get it right then there are some serious style points up for grabs. You’d be forgiven for thinking that the occasions for wearing a fedora hat are somewhat limited. And yet James Bay always manages to find a time and a place for his fedora – in fact, we’re not 100% sure what James Bay looks like without a hat?
We’d usually say to approach a fedora hat with extreme caution and stick to wearing it with a collared shirt for a smart casual look. Yet Bay seems to defy all fedora related taboos by wearing it with literally everything. T-shirts, crew neck jumpers, tuxedo shirts – you name it, James Bay has worn a fedora with it. Adopt his devil-may-care attitude and try a fedora with a simple t-shirt and jeans combo, but stick to dark tones throughout your outfit for a more wearable look that’ll help you avoid the inevitable comments from your mates.
James Bay Skinny Jeans
Hold back the river song singer gave us inspiration, and has had its debut album make and reach headlines. Now, when it comes to his fashion, he has that Bruce Springsteen vibe and is always rocking a signature hat. Besides the fedora hat, there’s another key element to James Bay’s outfit repertoire that he is rarely seen without – his black skinny jeans. Seemingly a quintessential item in making a rock star’s wardrobe, the skinny jean has long been favoured by indie guys like James Bay. Granted, his skinny frame definitely makes pulling off the style a lot easier, but that’s not to say you can’t make it work.
Chelsea Boots
Now, a pair of fresh trainers just wouldn’t work with James Bay’s indie, nonchalant aesthetic would it. Bay is a huge fan of the Chelsea boot and is more often than not pictured wearing them in some shape or form. Whether it’s a classic leather style for smarter occasions or a soft suede for more casual gigs, the Chelsea boot is definitely James Bay’s go-to footwear. Black might seem like the obvious choice, but mixing an outfit up with a burgundy or brown Chelsea boot gives a nice added detail.
James Bay Tuxedo
Well, you can’t dress full indie rocker all the time. Some occasions call for something a bit smarter. You might not have any big award ceremonies to go to, but there’s always an occasion for a suit. But rather than your average suit, James Bay has a penchant for a tuxedo – a slight nod to the alternative but sticking to the dress code. Sometimes the rock n roll in us has to be tamed. This type of a fit is all about grammy and brit award looks, allowing everyone to look stylish while following his trends.
James Bay Leather Jacket
Much like the skinny jeans, a leather jacket is a staple piece in any rocker’s wardrobe. We probably have the likes of the Ramones to thank for that. James Bay often goes for more embellished leather jackets, with several zips, buckles, and a bit of quilting here and there for full rocker effect.
Statement Shirts
The humble shirt makes a huge statement in James Bay’s wardrobe. Whether he’s wearing it open over a contrasting t-shirt or fully buttoned up, opting for a snazzy print adds interest to the most casual outfits. While a Hawaiian floral shirt might be a bit too much for you, there are easier ways to pull off the look.
Get James Bay’s Style
- The Fedora hat definitely takes some guts to wear, but if you manage to pull it off you’ll definitely earn some style points.
- Skinny jeans are the staple of James Bay’s wardrobe. Stick to dark grey or black for the full rock n roll look.
- James Bay is a big fan of chelsea boots. They’re really versatile and work with the majority of smart and casual outfits.
- A leather jacket instantly adds a bit of rock and roll to an outfit. Take a hint from James and layer yours with a t-shirt and open shirt.
On On That Note
James Bay is a classic indie rock and roll type. A leather jacket, black skinny jeans and the all important fedora hat and you’ve got the look nailed. His style is actually really wearable, and you’ve probably already got half a wardrobe full of James Bay-esque clobber. If the statement hat isn’t for you (and it’s definitely not a look for everyone), just ditch it. There are no rules in rock and roll after all.
