MAN FRIDAY WHY GEORGE MICHAEL ISAN ICON FOR THE STYLISH MAN
The late singer has a lot to teach us about style, says Stephen Doig
It’s been quite the week: apocalyptic winds, miserable drizzle and dark skies. And that’s just in Parliament. But amid the general chaos, there was a blast of glorious technicolour with news of a Christie’s auction of George Michael’s art collection, including images of the late singer in zinging bright hues by Sir Michael Craig-martin, the conceptual artist.
There’s nostalgia in the air, and with Andrew Ridgeley announcing he’s publishing a book about his life in Wham!, and spring/summer catwalks paying homage to the Nineties, the late singer’s style is back in the spotlight – and it’s a look that the modern man can take as inspiration today.
First a confession: this columnist may be a George Michael superfan, but hear me out. Try to put aside the popular preconception of Michael in his early years in all his bouffant hair and distressed denim glory, and instead look more to his wardrobe in the Nineties and how oddly clairvoyant it was in predicting how men would want to dress in 2019; for example, the breakdown of the suit as an item that didn’t have to be corporate.
Michael’s fashion credentials were firmly cemented in the Nineties thanks to his friendship with Gianni Versace, whose opulent prints and bold colours attracted a host of showmen, including Elton John and Prince. And while no one is suggesting you parade down the street in high-octane, gold Medusa prints (although all power to you if you’re keen), the linchpins of Michael’s wardrobe are actually far more approachable, relatable and wearable now.
Item 1: the coloured suit. The singer favoured suits in one hue that bucked the familiar greys, blacks and navys. This needn’t be a retina-searing coral fanfare; these days a suit in a bold blue shade is safe enough to wear in a formal summer set-up – weddings or events, for example – but doesn’t look corporate. Michael was also a front-runner in the democratisation of the suit by teaming it with a T-shirt or variant that took it away from the office and into more casual environs, echoing the fact that the shirt and tie combo has died a sartorial death.
As Michael matured, he also showed how grooming can help a fellow age with grace; keep the stubble short and sharp to avoid any unkempt shabbiness, and if you’re thinning on top or receding, the golden rule is to keep your hair closely cropped, as growing it longer will highlight its thinning and patchiness. These are strange times, but a little
Faith goes a long way.