1. Leather Jacket

A leather jacket is one of the defining elements of a rock and roll musician. Usually any biker jacket design will do, and it can be used to compliment almost any outfit. George Harrison’s leather jacket that he wore with The Beatles was recently sold at an auction for $177,000. Who knows, maybe yours will be worth something someday too.

2. Shades

Sunglasses are another apparel accessory that’s heavily associated with musicians. It probably came about as a form of protection against bright stage lighting, but looked so cool that it stuck. Slash stated that the reason he wears shades on stage is because he’s too shy to look into the audience. He said, “it makes me very uncomfortable to look directly into the face of the crowd. I’m in my own little world, playing my guitar. I play from the heart – but it’s very insular”.

3. Tattoos

Tattoos have a way of making you stand out amongst the crowd – something many image conscious musicians strive for. Take a look at James Hetfield from Metallica. His body art emits a variety of tones and patterns, fine detailing and a sense of storytelling. Of course I don’t recommend tattooing your body just so that you can “look” like a musician, however a temporary tattoo will work just fine.

Photo by Alex Leier

4. Jewellery

Nothing separates you from looking “ordinary” the way jewelry does. There are a number of accessories that can compliment your outfit, such as a finger ring or fake nose ring, a wrist bracelet but most importantly a neck chain. Combining a neck chain or 2 with a necklace can often have a great impact.

5. Stylish Guitar Strap

A strap is often overlooked by guitar players, although it too can make a great fashion accessory. You can use certain straps and colors to compliment your outfit rather than just using a regular bland guitar strap. Here’s a list of 15 must-see guitar straps for your viewing pleasure.