Before the spandex catsuits and crop tops, Rod Stewart was one nattily dressed rock star. Find out how to knock off his early 70’s look here.
Rod Stewart (with the Faces) performing ‘Maggie May’
Released in 1971, ‘Maggie May’ was Rod Stewart’s breakthrough hit song, and over forty-years later continues to be one of his most celebrated. Appearing on his third solo album Every Picture Tells a Story, ‘Maggie’ is an autobiographical account of Stewart’s teenage deflowering by an older woman. The tune originally appeared as the b-side to ‘Reason to Believe’ but became a sensation when radio jockeys flipped over the record and played it instead. In October of 1971, the tune simultaneously topped both the US and UK singles charts. At the time, Stewart was still fronting the Faces, whom provided back-up for many of his tracks in the recording studio and on stage. As shown in this clip from ‘Top of the Pops’ (October 1971), Faces mates Ron Wood, Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones, and Ian McLagen (as well as ‘Maggi’e co-writer Martin Quittenton) join Stewart on stage to perform his massive trans-Atlantic hit.
About the Look
Rod Stewart was always a clotheshorse, dating back to his natty teenage years when he was dubbed ‘Rod the Mod’. This is easy to forget given Stewart’s seeming predilection for spandex leopard and midriff-baring crop tops during the peak of his career. But during those those early-70s years, he and the Faces were some of the best-dressed rock stars around. Amongst their wardrobe staples were velvet suits and printed blazers with wide lapels, bright colors and metallics that hinted at glam but never went the way of Gary Glitter (thank god). Printed troubadour shirts were worn with deftly arranged neck scarves. With spring 2015 ripe with 70s influences, it’ll be easy to cobble together a similar look today. Just be sure to tone it down a notch — work the super flattering silhouette (slim jacket and flared pants) but stick with only one print, like a blouse or jacket.
jacket: Alexander McQueen ~ trousers: Derek Lam ~ shirt: Karl Lagerfeld ~ bag: Marni ~ ring: House of Harlow 1960
cuff: Satine ~ boots: Maison Martin Margiela ~ scarf: Club Monaco