"Tank tops, knee-high boots, daringly short skirts, lip gloss and square-rimmed shades were staples in the wardrobe of any Brat party girl, while 20-something men haven't looked this good in well-fitted suits since Alex Turner."
Words by James Potter
Musicians are known to set the most show-stopping fashion trends, but this year feels more spectacular than most.
There have been more than a few era-defining looks on and off stage throughout 2024, so here are our picks for the most stylish musicians marked by equally astounding albums.
From the The Last Dinner Party's laced debut to this year’s Brat-coded summer, we look back on some of the most stylish artists who have defined 2024’s zeitgeist of music and fashion...
Amy Taylor (Amyl and The Sniffers)
If there’s one person who knows how to get a crowd jumping, Amy Taylor is it. A hurricane in hot pants and heels who has shown her authenticity time and time again whilst being a lighthouse for other young “Aussie chicks” with big dreams. November’s three sold-out nights at The Roundhouse for the new album Cartoon Darkness was a reminder of the symbol she has become since the band’s first gig at Rough Trade East back in May 2018. It doesn't come easy looking this great all the time, however. Amy has been outspoken about the many challenges of being a woman in the punk world - and the unwelcome attention which comes with it. “I’ll fight everybody and anybody,” she told Rolling Stone, and that's a boot not to be on the wrong side of.
Chappell Roan
A year after the The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess that brought the queer-pop drag star to the world’s attention, Chappell Roan is hitting even bigger with her style and music this year. Her Grammy-nominated single Good Luck, Babe! guided the chameleon-esque catwalk of unapologetically bold and feminine outfits on the main festival stages and red carpets around the world. Chappell’s audacious energy extends well beyond times when she’s in-face, as she let us know this year at the VMAs. A testament to her legend-building artistry, she’s shown more than one photographer where to stick it this year when they’ve overstepped their mark. Something that can certainly be said about Chappell and the genius-duo formed with her stylist Genesis Webb (formerly assistant to Lady Gaga’s stylist) is a creative well that seemingly never runs dry. With drag looks inspired by classic movies, drag queen icons like Divine and even Lady Liberty herself, Chappell Roan’s style blends Elton-John maximalism with a Madonna-like girlhood.
The Last Dinner Party
Speaking of irrefutable feminine power, The Last Dinner Party have been riding a continuous high this year following their success as one of 2023’s hottest new bands. It’s not every day a romantic, Baroque-inspired group comes out of the woodwork fully formed with all the confidence to suit. Their highly anticipated debut album Prelude to Ecstasy was one of 2024’s first great records, which met the high expectations set by the release of their earlier singles. The band’s wardrobe is a collage of pompous time periods, from corsets to feathers, lace to leather, their resourcefulness when it comes to style wins them this year’s title of charity shop queens.
Fontaines D.C.
Back once again this year with their latest album, Romance, this is Fontaines D.C.’s brilliance at its most unrestrained. The first taste we got of the band's new flair was marked by their gritty Starburster music video, an instant success amongst fans and a sheer joy to see the boys back together again after front man Grian Chatten’s more melancholic solo venture. Coupled with the new sound and an immediate talking point was the Irish rock outfit's bold new look, the five-piece donning highly colourful fits with lashings of neon, spikey hair and bug glasses amid other nu-metal influences.
"The style is the architecture, it’s the infrastructure allowing you to listen to the music inside."
In an interview for Glamcult in 2023, Fontaines D.C.'s lead guitarist Carlos O'Connell said "I’ve thought of this analogy right…if you go to see an exhibition and the museum is uninviting then you’re going to miss out on what’s inside of it. So, the museum needs to be part of the art, it needs to be an extension of it." He continued "The style is the architecture, it’s the infrastructure allowing you to listen to the music inside."
It would seem the band has always recognised their status as true rock icons, yet this time around it feels like they’ve come into their own entirely, bringing with them all of the swagger of their Irish steel.
Charli XCX / The Dare
Years from now, kids will want to know what you were wearing during Brat Summer. Charli and The Dare brought Indie Sleaze back in their own luminous way this year. Tank tops, knee-high boots, daringly short skirts, lip gloss and square-rimmed shades were staples in the wardrobe of any Brat party girl, while 20-something men haven't looked this good in well-fitted suits since Alex Turner. The attitude which the Brat album so clearly defined had us using the word to describe anything deemed suitably 'brat'; The feeling of dancing through the night in a sweaty basement club with no bra and walking out as the sun comes up to light your last Marlboro. A luxurious yet laid-back lifestyle wearing yesterday's makeup. Charli knows.
Interpol & Nick Cave
On the subject of men looking good in suits, we feel we should give an honorary mention to two artists who are far from their debut release. Interpol were back touring this year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their album Antics in their ever-cool lineup of sharp suits and leathers. Nick Cave’s Wild God album topped charts across Europe with a phenomenal performance at London’s O2 in this crisp Gucci three-piece (later donated to album co-writer Warren Ellis and his wildlife charity).
The return of The Darkness also deserves a special mention, as the legendary English glam rock band swapped their famous skintight catsuits for a more dapper look at the Rough Trade in-stores in December. Black tie, white shirt, black suit crooner outfits - a band that means business.
Raye
Back on the subject of women making waves this year, First Lady in music, Raye, cleaned up at the BRIT awards in March as she took home six titles including Best British Album, Song of the Year and British Artist of the Year. Since picking up her trophies for her album My 21st Century Blues in this timeless sequinned Fendi couture dress, she’s been touring Europe and America with her ever elegant presence. Her Met Gala debut saw her in another Fendi Haute Couture created especially for the event by fashion designer and friend Kim Jones.
Confidence Man
Australian group Confidence Man were favourites amongst dance-pop/electronic fans this year with their album 3AM (LA LA LA). The group’s live shows are as much a spectacle of high fashion futurism, disco glitz and glam rock as their album portrays. Janet Planet and Sugar Bones, the band’s dazzling front duo, are equal parts theatrical and euphoric in their androgynous semi-choreographed routines. Contrasting this are the band’s two silent members, Reggie Goodchild and Clarence McGuffie, whose transcendent nun-like veils give the band’s style its subtle unease.
Fashioning a Moment...
There have been many incredible looks this year in music, and we’ve only just scratched the surface of the many artists who shaped the sound and style of 2024. Here are few more favourites for your lookbook...
Fashion not only went pop again with Charli XCX's Brat party girl aesthetic but also Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. Friendship bracelets and milkmaid dresses for the Lover era fans or tassels and knee high boots for the Fearless girlies, each album era throughout the tour came with its own set of clothing.
Beyonce's eighth studio album celebrated cowboy core and saw her rock a rodeo-chic wardrobe to die for in 2024, as well as become the face of Levis. While Western-inspired attire has long been ingrained in American culture, Cowboy Carter has seen a renewed commitment to the aesthetic, with cowboy hats, suede and denim all ridin' high among this year's style must-haves.
Bucket hats, shell jackets and Fred Perry polos. We all know the popularity of Britpop style has never really gone away but is the Oasis reunion setting us up for a full-on Britpop fashion resurgence? (Liam Gallagher in that Berghaus jacket). The Union Jack has long been symbol in underground fashion, the 'Cool Brittania' trend continues to serve somewhat ironically. A.G. Cook turned the Union Jack pink and green for his 2024 album Britpop, and the likes of Nia Archives, Master Peace and Rachel Chinouriri have drawn on Britpop culture both musically and visually - making a statement about the scenes inspiration, iconography and 'Britishness' today.
Kendrick Lamar reminded us that he was one of rap's best-dressed rappers with his supreme styling in the Not Like Us music video. Not only one of our Songs of the Year 2024 but also a music video and fashion moment of the year. The Compton rapper sported a Martine Rose motocross scarf around his blue pgLang x Dodgers hat and a number of other sharp Martine Rose pieces, including the "How’s It Hanging?" T-shirt, cargo pants, a striped track jacket and more.