The costumes in James Mangold’s biopic “A Complete Unknown” have captured the imagination of many, including those on The Styles Desk team. In an edited conversation, Vanessa Friedman, Stella Bugbee, and Jacob Gallagher discussed their favorite Bob Dylan looks, from his early workwear to his iconic 1960s style.
Vanessa Friedman noted that while David Bowie and Mick Jagger are often credited as the Great Rock Wardrobe Gods, Dylan holds his own. He worked wear before Springsteen, Ray-Bans before Jack Nicholson, and may have even popularized boot-cut jeans.
Stella Bugbee associates Dylan’s style with his hair, citing a 1967 poster featuring his swirling, colorful profile. Jacob Gallagher was struck by the many different styles Dylan went through, from baggy jeans as a teenager to skinnies and eventually iconic looks like the “Huck Finn black corduroy cap.”
Friedman pointed out that in his early performances, Dylan’s style blended music and image seamlessly, with critics describing him as a “cross between a choirboy and a beatnik.” Gallagher noted that some of these fashion maneuvers were actually popularizing what Black musicians had done before him.
The team also credited Little Richard for making fashion theatrics not just acceptable but expected. Bugbee praised Dylan’s ability to merge influences from folk, skinny British tailoring, and glam to create an American Style archetype.
Throughout the conversation, the team acknowledged that Dylan never rejected fashion, despite his disinterest in fame. His experimentation with clothes continued throughout his career, from leather jackets to iconic looks like the “mid-1970s vagabond clown” blanket coat.
The film’s release has been a reminder of how weird and wonderful Dylan’s style has always been. As one team member noted, Timothée Chalamet’s portrayal of Dylan takes similar risks in roles and personal styling, echoing the actor’s own fashion endeavors.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/28/style/bob-dylan-a-complete-unknown-timothee-chalamet-rock-style.html