The much-parodied style of Elvis Presley deserves way more credit.

Elvis, who would have celebrated his 74th birthday today, was more than blue suede shoes, capes, and jumpsuits.  

Like his music, Elvis’ fashion sense fused a variety of influences.  A true performer, Elvis’ style evolved over the course of his career, drawing inspiration from both his roots and personal tastes, and the styles of the time.  

Early on, Elvis sported the greasy black hair of a white Southern trucker (complete with sideburns) and the latest styles from black clothing stores.  By the 1960s, Elvis had been dying his hair black for several years and started a sort of hair-sculpting regimen. 

Before the theatrics of the ’70s, his style created a tight tension between good Southern boy and rock-and-roll bad boy.  Usually conservative looking –until he started moving– he often wore sharp suits, pegged pants, high collars, and the occasional pair of blue jeans.

Then over time he moved on to his Army fatigues, black leather, Aloha Eagle jumpsuit with cape, and flamboyant western outfits.

Well, we all make mistakes.  Whether a hit or miss, Elvis’ fashion will always be remembered for its individuality and influence on others.

Thanks, Elvis Fashion.

Put your iPod on shuffle on you’re bound to hear some oldies you haven’t listened to in quite a while. Sitting in the airport at 6:00am yesterday to catch my flight back to the Big Apple, I came across some amazing oldies like Come on Eileen and Dancing In September. Trust me when I say that no musical artist brings back more memories than Sir Elton John. I heard the intro to Bennie and the Jets and I was immediately reminiscing on the good old days when I told my dad to “turn this junk off” from the backseat of the car. Now, I can’t get enough of the guy! He may be flamboyant and a bit too over the top with his fashion choices, but let’s face it, the guy never ceases to amaze me with his sunglasses! I remember hearing on one of those television “in the life of” programs that Elton John wears a different pair of sunglasses for every concert and has never worn the same pair twice. We might not be too fond of his star-shaped frames dunked in pink glitter, but Elton John is certainly a sunglass style icon. 

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Carine Roitfeld has phenomenal style. Her look is so versatile, it’s as if she could have come from any decade of this century. Roitfeld mixes and matches designers for a look that is all her own. She is a personal style icon to me because she unites two of my favorite things- fashion and journalism. I think we will see her doing great things for Vogue in the near future.

Let’s give credit where it is due. Lucy Liu never fails to rock out looks straight off the runways of New York Fashion Week. And, she actually looks good wearing them, unlike other celebrities who attempt to wear such pieces. Whether it be by wearing the crazy pink layered cape or the elegant black lace gown, Liu’s message is clear: Wear it. Wear it confidently. Wear it and love yourself in it. Amen sister. 

Love Love Kerry Washington…she is gorgeous and always looks great. Either mini dress or ball gown, short hair or long curls , this style icon knows how to flaunt her best features and show off her assets. She is flawless!

Maybe one of Andy Warhol’s most famous muses, Edie Sedgwick inspired the fashion world more than anything else. Her short hair, huge earrings and furs, dark eyebrows and ultra-high heels beneath pin thin legs were avant-garde during her generation. Sedgwick’s time at The Factory would inspire fashion for decades to come.

Clicking through “The Top 10 Oscar Looks” on People.com, it was obvious which dress was going to be my favorite. Audrey Hepburn’s 1954 Oscar dress is truly a timeless design. The belted floral Givenchy design was feminine enough to show off Hepburn’s delicate figure and bold enough to make a lasting impression.

The Old School: Jimi Hendrix

The New School: Omar Rodríguez-López of The Mars Volta can be caught on stage playing mind numbing guitar solos in a skin tight three piece suit and bell bottoms.

Rock and Roll is something that is never going to just go away or disappear. Though along the way things evolve and change, there are always glimpses back into the past that can be seen through it’s predecessors. However one aspect of the genre that stays fairly consistent is the style. Rock and Roll style is a look that I personally love because it seems so effortless yet cool (and I am a Rock and Roll addict). The styles of rock legends like The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix are visible today in the styles of the new school rock style icons.

***Please note this post is about the style and in no way compares their musical talents. 

The Old School: Freddie Mercury

The (Sort Of) New School: Perry Farrell of Jane's Addiction is constantly rocking out in flamboyant, shiny outfits that balance on the edge of tranny mess.

The Old School: The Ramones

The New School: The Horrors. Trade in those blazers for leather and you have the same tight pants grungy dudes above.

The New School: Justice. This Euro Duo are my favorite DJ's around and don't really fall so much in the rocker category, but their love for leather, tight jeans and lack of hair washing makes me think of The Ramones rather that piece of crap Moby.

The Old School: The Rolling Stones

The New School: The Jonas Brother. Despite being pop crap, The Jonas Brothers have a style that reminds a lot of those Brits The Rolling Stones. The brothers are always in jackets and scarves with eccentric patterns and colors.

The Old School: The Beatles

The New School: Panic At The Disco. Looking the same but different is the key here. In The Beatles early days they were all about the suits and looking prim and proper. Well suits, ties, and boots are all in the wardrobe of these Vegas boys.

 Got any other favorite rocker looks? Now that you can post images in the comments section, I want to see what yours are.

Thanks to Flickr for the images.

When the time machine is invented, the first place I’m going is London in the mod 60s. What could be a more amazing place and time for music, revolution and, of course, fashion. And no model defines the era more than Penelope Tree. Sure, Twiggy was a fantastic icon, but Tree had a uniquely outrageous style. Photographers could shoot her wearing anything in any environment, and it made a tremendous statement. Here are a few of her coolest photos…I’m going to find that time machine now.

I don’t care what anyone says, Sex and the City is one of my favorite shows of all time. Before they went and fucked themselves with the movie (costumes aside), these women were the queen bees. Typical, I know, but Carrie has always been my style icon. But ladies and gentlemen, can we please give it up for Samantha motherfucking Jones. If anyone crossed extreme style boundaries, it was her. She is the only woman on planet earth who can make hot pink and electric yellow power-suits look fabulous. Samantha Jones knows how to work the Cavalli without looking like Euro-trash. She wouldn’t be the same without her 10-pound jewelry, thigh-skimming skirts and clashing colors. She truly doesn’t give a fuck what anyone thinks, and it totally works for her. I hope to age with as much fierceness as Sam has. I leave you with the photos…they tell it all. And if you feel like bashing Ms. Jones for her unique extravagance, remember what she says: “I will wear whatever and blow whomever I want as long as I can breathe and kneel.” You tell ‘em sista.

I am convinced that Anjelica Huston is the most beautiful woman on planet Earth. She’s an extraordinary actress and director, has idiosyncratic style and continues to age with much beauty and grace. From The Addams Family to The Darjeeling Limited and everything in between, she remains my favorite.

Make sure you go see Choke. I was able to catch the sneak preview on Tuesday, and Huston does a brilliant job with her character!

Alexa Chung was one Brit who got in and out of the fashion game at a young age. Finally making her runway return for Vivienne Westwood during London Fashion Week, makes me think that the influence she has had on the industry isn’t fading anytime soon. When she “gave up” modeling for art years ago, saying that she would rather have a big brain than little bones, she never really gave up being stylish. Though I haven’t seen a very big change in her body, bowing out grcefully only to return on top again will definately make her a remembered name in the lifetime story that is fashion.

Thanks Style.com for the pictures.

Coco Sumner is no stranger to the fashion, and is more than just another rock star offspring turned fashionista. With a couple Burberry campaigns under her belt, Coco is here to leave her own mark on the fashion world. Coco has been seen looking as hipster grunge as Cory Kennedy and as (dare I say) chic as Agyness Deyn. Recently seen at Andre 3000’s Benjamin Bixby party in London, Coco is just another youngster who is here to morph the fashion world.

Thanks to Style.com for the pics!

At the tender age of 16, Georgia May Jagger has already found herself sitting front row at some of the biggest shows during London Fashion Week. I will tip my hat to this young lady, she knows how to dress. With a trendy father like Mick however, I guess it’s pretty easy. Georgia has already signed a major deal with the top modeling agency in London, and will only further develop into the style icon I foresee her becoming. So for all you little teens out their, burn your Hannah Montana posters, Wal Mart collection, and albums and jump on this bad girl bandwagon!

Naima Mora at the Project Runway finale.

Who could ever forget the unique look of mohawked Mexican, Irish, African-American and Native-American winner of America’s Next Top Model Cycle 4? After what seems to be a three-year hiatus, Naima Mora is finally reclaiming her spot in the fashion limelight.

Despite her appearances in Covergirl ads, ELLE Magazine and Sheer Cover make-up commercials during 2006 and 2007, Mora just hasn’t had any influence in the modeling industry. Luckily, Mora recently appeared on the cover and in an editorial for Vicious Magazine in 2008. Even more recent, Mora walked in the Project Runway finale at Fashion Week for designer Joe Faris.

Rumor has it that Mora’s miniscule modeling career is due to her focus on music. As if modeling wasn’t enough, Mora is the lead singer for the unsigned band, Chewing Pics. The band’s EP was released in March of 2008. Hey Naima, do us a favor. Put down the microphone and jump back on the runway…the industry needs your face!

Thanks for the photo B5media!

This little tween queen has been strutting her stuff and getting noticed. Young Taylor (also know as Jenny Humphrey on her show Gossip Girls) is a glamor queen and has quickly transformed herself from teenage starlet to a hot goth vixen. Even NY Mag took notice and documented her transformation. Check it out.