Nicole Clinton analyses actor Jamie Campbell Bower’s style.*
He may have only recently officially forayed into the world of fashion by landing a gig as one of the faces of Burberry’s spring/summer 2014 campaign, but actor Jamie Campbell Bower has exuded a captivating sense of style since his arrival into the public sphere. With his tousled blonde locks and his reckless dress sense, his overall look is reminiscent of the nineties grunge era but remains more chic at the same time. He manages to compensate for his reliability on black by demonstrating an ability to freshen up the safe colour with an eclectic arsenal of accessories. His most prominent staples include torn jeans, doc marten boots, stretched, baggy t-shirts, chains and hats of all kinds.
In summer 2013, the British actor sat front row at a Diesel Black Gold show in Milan and donned an outfit that corresponds to what he could be seen wearing on a daily basis . His grey, washed-out denim shirt with rolled up sleeves and buttoned down neck oozed a carefree demeanor and the pair of tight leather pants that he paired with it helped to further emphasise the rocker attitude. The ensemble was characterised by the chain that hung from the trousers and a fedora.
Diesel Black Gold Show
The Madrid premiere of summer 2013’s The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones saw the 25 year old mix sophisticated with rebel by channelling a Don Johnson-esque pale blue suit and crisp white dress-shirt but added a few personal touches to the Alexander McQueen creation. Refusing to conform to traditionalism, he opted for a silver chain rather than a tie around the neck of the shirt and he accessorised the pants with his signature chain and a printed scarf, both hanging from the pocket. And if that didn’t cement the cool negligence, the unbuckled leather boots and sunglasses gave it the extra push into alternative style territory.
Madrid Premiere- The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
In early 2014, Bower attended his patron Burberry’s A/W 14 London Fashion Week show and gave cosmopolitan elegance an edgy makeover. His smart, double-breasted, camel pea coat may have produced a preppy effect but its teaming with skinny jeans (complete with his favourite pocket chain), sunglasses and a nose ring loans the look a punk vibe.
Burberry Prorsum Womenswear Show
Campbell Bower’s taste illustrates that one doesn’t have to adhere to current trends to appear fashionable. He proves that a look that was popular twenty years ago can transcend seamlessly into the modern wardrobe and that traditional glamour can always benefit from a touch of personalised style.
*This article was originally published in The UCC Express in March 2014 during my time as fashion editor.
The Vagabond Quarters 