Damon Albarn is the quintessential Britpop style icon of the 1990s and early 2000s. Today we're going to break down what wardrobe essentials YOU need to dress like the Blur frontman, deemed one of the most fashionable men of Britpop in England. Most of the items can be bought on one of our favourite shops, Lammyman, a great, affordable store selling high-quality Mod, Skinhead and Retro clothing for men who want to get the look. They've been in the business for a while, and offer a huge selection of clothing for a 90s look.
A bit about Damon Albarn' look- Damon Albarn dresses in what you would call a typical 'Mod' look. The classic Mod look is a strong vibrant statement where emphasis is placed on attention to detail. Since its emergence in the 1960's the look has evolved and become a staple of many a persons wardrobe. From Loafers, Sta Press trousers, Button-Down shirts to the classic Harrington Jacket , they all come with the word 'Mod' attached.
Lammyman stocks a huge range of clothing that look like they're straight out of Albarn's wardrobe. They also stocks a variety of handmade clothing from Connection Knitwear in Italy and are one of the few UK and Ireland stockists. Trojan Records Clothing polo shirts are a must for anyone wanting to stand out from the crowd.
Without further ado, here are 5 essentials you must get to achieve Damon Albarn's Mod look.
Get his look: Beige Harrington by Lammyman- £44
A Harrington jacket is a classic Britpop/ Mod statement piece. Several decades on and the Harrington has been revived and updated for the modern male. It's versatile, vintage and looks perfectly on par with the 90s. Damon Albarn is sporting a Beige Harrington jacket, with a neutral color which matches with anything- the tartan lining gives it a classic preppy look, and it goes well with pretty much anything- a shirt, a polo shirt, a simple tee.
You can often spot Damon Albarn sporting a Harrington jacket in many of Blur's photoshoots. Beige seems to be his color, but there are lots of other choices available, such as Navy, Burgundy, Green and Black. Fit is very important for Harrington jackets. A classic Harrington’s body will always be cut short in relation to the chest size and arms.
We ordered Lammyman's Combat Harrington jacket (above) and it arrived quickly in perfect condition. The sizing fits true to size, and the quality of the jacket is excellent. It is well-made, sewn properly and made in the UK. The inner tartan lining of their jacket gives the Harrington a fantastic and classic look. The sleeves are just the right amount of puffiness, and the jacket hits at just around the hip area, making it the perfect, put-together Britpop look.
Playing football, drinking a beer at the pub- these were all in during the 90s, as lad culture was booming everywhere in England. In fact, sports jackets are associated as much with the musical scene than ever, since many celebrities and musicians engaged in friendly combat during their leisure time. We're thinking Britpop grunge, Nike, Adidas and the likes- striped shirts, jackets and waterproof lining. A sports jacket is definitely something individualized and eclectic, which may be another reason it appeals now, when a pick-and-mix approach to culture and fashion rules.
3) Polo Shirt
Get his look: Black Britpop Polo Shirt by Lammyman- £40
Again, this is a must-have if you're going to get his look. Damon Albarn is renowned for his Fred Perrys, especially during the wake of his recent gigs. The polo is smart- just like the Modsters who wanted to be differentiated from the Rockers. They're best worn with slim trousers, big boots and of course, a big floppy head of hair (just like Albarn's).
But did you know that during the 90s and the Mod revival era, not everyone was able to afford Fred Perrys? There are much more affordable options from brands such as Trojan Records and Merc, available here. These classic polo shirts are slim-fitting and have a collar with striped details. The Trojan polos were very popular in the 90s due to their association with the record label Trojan Records, which have signed a great number of Britpop bands.
We ordered a Black polo from Lammyman, and were not disappointed. In fact, it's made of high-quality cotton and feels great on the skin. Perfect for a Damon Albarn look, and something that he would totally wear on stage or out and about in London.
4) Button Up Shirt (preferably patterned)
Get his look: Mod Shirts by Lammyman
To catch up on the modern Mod trend, a lot of the button-down shirts are now a 3 finger collar from the likes of Brutus and Britac and 1960's sportswear knits from Art Gallery. These go great with Stay pressed trousers which are slim-fitting, and goes well with penny loafers. Damon Albarn often exudes a slightly 'preppy look'. No one does a penny loafer better than Bass Weejun. Bowling Shoes are very much to the fore again for the summer and Delicious Junction offer a great range.
5) Striped Knit Sweater
Get his look: 90s Knitwear by Lammyman
Damon Albarn's known for his signature sweater - the striped, horizontal sweaters he wears for music videos such as Beetlebum and the like. Stripes were the symbol of the 90s and the Mod era- maybe it was something to do with the need for straight lines amidst the chaos of Britpop and the music scene. It was a crazy, chaotic time, and stripes were something of a calm order.
There's something youthful and simple about crew neck jumpers, and the way they exude confidence. Nonetheless, we're loving Damon Albarn's simple, yet eye-catching choice of knitwear in his days of being the King of Britpop.
With these 5 essentials, you'll have no problem getting Damon Albarn's look from the 90s.
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