Unpacking Mick Jagger’s iconic style on his 80th birthday

The formidable shark collar shirts were, and still are, a Jagger staple. He tied the style of shirt that held widely spread collars to the likes of a wide-lapelled jacket, rewriting the business staple for a new rock ‘n’ roll era that exposed just the right amount of chest. Just remember to pair them with some aviator sunnies and casual trousers for the full look. 

Jagger truly met his stylistic match when he married Bianca Jagger in 1971, and the wedding was nothing short of a celebration for the ages. In a Saint-Tropez ceremony, Bianca became his first wife as he donned an off-white suit with a patterned shirt underneath. His signature shag hairstyle and pair of sneakers peeking from under his trousers were the rockstar stamp, with a shoutout to Bianca’s impeccable hat and suit combo also. If you haven’t pinned this to your ultimate wedding mood board yet, count this as your sign.

Before Harry Styles and his uber-tight sparkly jumpsuits, there was Jagger. He made the rockstar jumpsuit what it was, reinventing the Elvis number in a skimpier fashion, with all laid bare on the upper half. Iterations saw armless blue versions, all black bedazzled with flared bottoms, but most iconically, the white and gold piece with big jewels stuck all over. The lace-up front that went all the way down to the crotch has inspired artists decades after he first took to the stage in the one-piece, and will undoubtedly, inspire generations more.

Ahhh *that* glitter crop top. At a surprise show in London’s Marquee Club in ‘71, Jagger strutted his stuff across the stage in a gold and black swirly shawl with the midriff on show, of course. Paired with some satin purple pants and a sequin brown scarf as a belt, it shouldn’t work, but it just does!

Jagger’s style portfolio is a circus of looks, including this one that bears him as the ringmaster. Backstage at Madison Square Gardens in ‘75, he sports a faint mustard yellow two-piece with a standout white patterned scarf acting as a necktie. The star of the show? His flat-crowned tall top hat. Step right up!

At a wedding with his partner Marianne Faithfull in ‘68 who he dated for four years, Jagger went full ruffles and flowers with his guest attendee look. Taking femme staples and injecting them into his masculine pieces, the floppy hat complete with a corsage is the perfect summer wedding wardrobe, and easy for you to recreate at home. Add Jagger’s brooding stare and a vintage ruffle button-up and you’re good to go.

Perhaps one of the most divisive wardrobe choices was Jagger’s football pants. Sweaty on stage, steaming with a performance high, and thrusting around in the athleisure wear turned glam rockstar go-to. “I chose the football pants to wear this tour because they are easy to work in,” Jagger told People at the time. “It was sort of an accident—I went into a sports store, and they fit better than anything, and they only cost 20 bucks. In Dallas, I wore the Dallas Cowboy colors. People dig that, and it has a good look for outdoors where you’ve got to wear bright colors or people can’t see you. You can’t be too subtle in a situation like that.”

Jorts may be the newest denim fad, but mini shorts will always have a special place in the hearts of true rock ‘n’ rollers. Jagger’s shorts ethos here is evidently the tighter the better, sporting a pair of frayed cutoffs with a tight baby blue rolled-up long-sleeve. With a badge on the bottom, a good hip-pop completes this summer look to show off like Jagger’s saucy pair in all their glory.

A bomber and ballroom-style sneakers. Who would have thought they went so well? Well, Jagger. The black and white footwear in the style of the classic tap has seen many iterations throughout Jagger’s time on stage, mixing casual with a more formal silhouette. Here, his signature sneakers hail the same colour palette, with an embellished racer jacket, graphic tee, and corduroys completing the ‘fit. It’s a framework that Jagger goes to many times, but clearly, one that just simply works.

Jagger definitely isn’t taking the Mick when it comes to his accessorising. Often seen with the chunky pinky ring, here at the Playboy mansion in ‘72, he ventures out with some huge statement necklaces including a black and white beaded number and jazzy cross on a chain. Pairing with a halterneck turquoise graphic vest and unkempt shag ‘do, this rockstar is holiday-ready… for his getaway at the mansion. 

Quiet luxury this, Gwyneth Paltrow in court that. If you thought that the cream turtle neck jumper was an ‘it’ girl signifier, perhaps this throwback of Jagger may change your mind. Before it hit the fashion girlies, it was rock ‘n’ roll first and foremost, slightly bobbly with a high neck and fitted silhouette.

Would it be a Jagger fashion moment rundown if we didn’t include his glittery jackets? Through his nearly 60-year run on stage, Jagger has been opting for a sequined satin-lapel jacket in his most recent stints and appearances. Here, he goes full hot pink button-down with a sparkling overcoat in a black and Fuschia pattern. Tight pants, as always, included.

Known for photographing the zeitgeist 60s figures that influenced fashion, Terry O’Neill captured Jagger in ‘64 draped over a chair in maybe more clothes than we have ever seen him in before. With thick corduroys, a high-neck woollen jumper, and a white shirt popping out from the collar,  he dons a large fur duffle coat with the hood placed over his head, framed with oversized fur lining. The coat itself is a close-shaven length, with an unspecified animal print leaning closer to the leopard family, with some misshapen spots scattered across. Serious winter inspo!

There’s not really an outfit that screams iconic quite like a full red latex suit – just ask Britney Spears. In ‘82 at a party in Paris, it would seem Jagger had had enough of his basic tight-fitting material suits, and instead opted for a shiny red leather number, keeping it classic with a white shirt. Pictured with then-girlfriend Jerry Hall, he matches her pink and red ballgown but somehow outshines her with this raucous number. Hard not to in full latex, really.