Dress Like Your Idols...
Steal the Style of Mod's Best-Dressed Men
They say you should never meet your idols. Nobody said anything about nicking their wardrobe.
From the sharp dressers of the original Mod scene to Britpop stars and modern-day devotees, certain pieces just keep cropping up: the Harrington, the parka, the tipped polo, a sharp blazer and, of course, a properly chosen scarf.
The faces might change, but great style has a habit of sticking around.
So, we've taken inspiration from some familiar faces and matched their looks with pieces you can find right here at Quadrophenia Alley. No stadium tour, chart-topping album or Olympic gold medal required.
Noel Gallagher: The Chevron Knit
There are "inspired by" looks… and then there's this one.
The Ska & Soul 'Letterman' Gallagher Chevron Knit Jumper takes direct inspiration from the distinctive red chevron knit worn by Noel Gallagher when Oasis appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman in 1995.
With its blood-red colour, bold black-and-white chevron across the front and fine-gauge knitted construction, it's pure mid-'90s Britpop.
And judging by the photograph, Noel didn't exactly need much else to make it work. Guitar useful. Multi-million-selling album optional.
Get the look: Ska & Soul 'Letterman' Gallagher Chevron Knit Jumper – Blood Red
Damon Albarn: The Harrington
Blur and Oasis might have spent much of the '90s being pitched against one another, but when it comes to clothing, we're perfectly happy giving both sides a place in the wardrobe.
Damon Albarn's stone Harrington in your photograph is a cracking example of why the jacket has survived generation after generation. It's uncomplicated, lightweight and smart without looking like you've made too much of an effort.
The Lambretta Classic Harrington Jacket in Stone brings the same idea into your own wardrobe. The classic Harrington shape, tartan lining, band collar and shower-resistant finish give you plenty of heritage along with something genuinely useful when the British weather inevitably changes its mind. Quadrophenia Alley currently carries the same Lambretta Harrington family in several colourways.
Throw it over a polo, knit or button-down shirt and you're pretty much there.
Get the look: Lambretta Classic Harrington Jacket – Stone
Paul Weller: The Parka
You can't really write about Mod style without Paul Weller turning up somewhere.
And while we could probably fill an entire blog recreating Weller outfits, we're concentrating on the parka this time.
The photograph says everything that needs saying. It's practical, understated and effortlessly cool – precisely why the parka has remained such an important piece of Mod outerwear.
Our Lambretta Shower Resistant Parka Coat in Black takes that familiar silhouette and gives it an easy-to-wear modern finish. It's also shower resistant, which means it has one advantage that never goes out of fashion in Britain: being prepared for rain. The black version is currently part of Quadrophenia Alley's Lambretta range.
Weller-esque stare into the middle distance not included.
Get the look: Lambretta Shower Resistant Parka Coat – Black
Martin Freeman: The Blazer
Mod doesn't always mean parkas and Harringtons.
Sometimes it's time to smarten things up.
Martin Freeman has long been associated with sharp, Mod-influenced dressing, and the photograph you've chosen shows exactly how a blazer can be worn without looking remotely corporate.
The Gabicci Vintage Henley Stripe Blazer in Navy Blue is ideal for recreating that approach. Made from cotton with a subtle stripe, notched lapels and clean tailored lines, it's smart enough for an occasion but relaxed enough to wear with a polo, fine knit or crisp shirt.
Finish with tailored trousers or dark denim and a decent pair of shoes.
Briefcase is optional. Looking like you've got somewhere considerably more interesting to be is encouraged.
Get the look: Gabicci Vintage Henley Stripe Blazer – Navy Blue
Suggs: The Twin-Tipped Polo
Some things really don't need reinventing.
A smart navy polo with contrast tipping is one of them.
Suggs demonstrates the point rather nicely in your photograph. It's simple, sharp and unmistakably connected to the British Ska and Mod-influenced style that Madness helped carry into another generation.
For a similar look, there's the Lambretta Twin Tipped Polo Shirt in Navy Blue and Cameo.
The dark navy base keeps things classic, while the contrasting tipping gives it just enough detail. Quadrophenia Alley currently stocks the style as part of its extensive polo collection.
Wear it with jeans or smarter trousers, add a Harrington if required and you're away.
Baggy trousers? We'll leave that decision entirely up to you.
Get the look: Lambretta Twin Tipped Polo Shirt – Navy Blue/Cameo
Bradley Wiggins: The Tootal-Style Scarf
Finally, proof that sometimes it's the smallest bit of an outfit that makes the biggest difference.
Sir Bradley Wiggins' love of Mod style is hardly a secret, and the scarf-and-blazer combination in your photograph is a great example of taking something traditional and making it look completely natural rather than overly dressed-up.
And few accessories have quite the same association with British Mod style as a paisley scarf.
The Tootal Paisley Rayon Scarf in Steel is exactly the sort of finishing touch we're talking about. Wear it tucked inside a blazer, over a fine knit or underneath a Harrington.
Just don't underestimate it. A scarf might occupy considerably less wardrobe space than a parka, but the right one can do just as much work.
Get the look: Tootal Paisley Rayon Scarf – Steel
Take Inspiration. Make It Yours.
That's perhaps the best thing about Mod style: the classics don't really disappear.
A Harrington worn decades ago still looks right today. The parka keeps coming back. A tipped polo remains a tipped polo. And a good blazer and paisley scarf haven't suddenly stopped working because somebody invented athleisure.
Noel Gallagher, Damon Albarn, Paul Weller, Martin Freeman, Suggs and Bradley Wiggins all have very different wardrobes, but there are familiar threads running through them – sharp silhouettes, classic British menswear and clothes with a bit of character.
The trick isn't necessarily to dress exactly like your idols.
Steal the good bits. Then make them your own.
And luckily, you don't need to raid Noel Gallagher's wardrobe to do it.