There are people, for most of us, whose style we admire or emulate or just look to for inspiration. Chloe Sevigny, Kirsten Dunst, Alexa Chung, Audrey Hepburn, are all favourites, including personal favourites but its probably safe to say, that we all harbour a certain sartorial fascination for someone off the beaten track; perhaps an elderly woman in a soap opera, some strange avant garde figure you see wandering about your city, the crazy girl from some obscure indie movie or shock horror: a man. Yes, of my own style icons along the road less travelled by, in terms of people you consider ridiculously stylish, is the rather dapper Paul Weller, from his days as "The Jam" and "The Style Council" front man.For those unfamiliar with Mr. Weller, he is best known as the lead singer and guitarist and not to mention lyricist with the punk/mod revival band "The Jam", but has enjoyed reasonable success as a solo artist and with his controversial, mid to late 80s' group, "The Style Council" also.
In his hay day, in the early 80s, Paul Weller was quite the style icon and it easy to see why. With an obsession with 60s' mod culture, Weller initially took much of his inspiration, not just musically but sartorial influence too, from that legendary era - monochrome, 'badger' winkle pickers, suits and skinny ties. Following his infamous departure from "The Jam", Weller became heavily influenced by the Italian and French, 'cafe culture' - La Monde, Italian coffee, continental - cafe nonchalance-particularly the chic, classic dress code. Throughout this time, and even to this day, Weller considers himself to be a mod and staying continually true to the mod ideal, these days he only wears Ita
lian brands including Miu Mui and Bottega Veneta and traditional British labels like Paul Smith and Ben Sherman. Indeed, Paul has even designed his own rendition of the iconic button - up shirt for the latter. Regarding the stringent dress code of the Mod, Weller has said "That love of detail, the Mod thing, it's eternal for me. It's ingrained, I don't even think about it." and in the past has regarded his love affair with clothes to be as deep and profound and as part of him that it is almost a religion.
In his hay day, in the early 80s, Paul Weller was quite the style icon and it easy to see why. With an obsession with 60s' mod culture, Weller initially took much of his inspiration, not just musically but sartorial influence too, from that legendary era - monochrome, 'badger' winkle pickers, suits and skinny ties. Following his infamous departure from "The Jam", Weller became heavily influenced by the Italian and French, 'cafe culture' - La Monde, Italian coffee, continental - cafe nonchalance-particularly the chic, classic dress code. Throughout this time, and even to this day, Weller considers himself to be a mod and staying continually true to the mod ideal, these days he only wears Ita
lian brands including Miu Mui and Bottega Veneta and traditional British labels like Paul Smith and Ben Sherman. Indeed, Paul has even designed his own rendition of the iconic button - up shirt for the latter. Regarding the stringent dress code of the Mod, Weller has said "That love of detail, the Mod thing, it's eternal for me. It's ingrained, I don't even think about it." and in the past has regarded his love affair with clothes to be as deep and profound and as part of him that it is almost a religion. 
"The Jam" were a confusing group. Despite bursting onto the mainstream in the 'Year Zero', "The Jam" baffled their contemporaries. This was largely due to their clean - cut, 60s mod look that had no time for the unnecessary violence of rips and safety pins. Weller's obsessive attention to detail meant a structured yet ever edgy wardrobe, that looks as stylish today as it did back in 1980.
There was no denying Weller's style credentials in his second musical offering 'The Style Council". The trench was his signature look along with scarves, tailored trousers, thick wool coats and other pieces deemed continental and chic. Weller, although enjoying the playfulness of a sweater tied around his neck, never abandoned his trusty suit but rather styled it up a notch, with flamboyant details. 
(Even, I had to laugh, when I saw how 'in depth' this post turned out! But in my defence, I have wanted to do this post with a long time! And heck, its a post for gents too!)Who do you consider to be someone, whose style you admire, that's a little less obvious?
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