Quincy Jones Was a Style God Who Never Stopped Evolving

StyleSlim suits in the ’60s. Psychedelic caftans in the ’70s. Slouchy knits in the ’80s. The late musical icon was a true menswear maven across every decade of his life.By Yang-Yi GohNovember 4, 2024Photographs: Getty Images; Collage: Gabe ConteSave this storySaveSave this storySaveQuincy Jones, who passed away yesterday at 91, will be remembered best for his constant musical reinventions over the course of his seven-decade, EGOT-winning career: he started out writing arrangements for Ray Charles, played trumpet in a young Elvis’s backing band, worked closely with Frank Sinatra for decades, helped turn Michael Jackson into the best-selling solo artist of all time, all while also composing some of the greatest film scores of all time and producing a handful of iconic television shows.But Jones didn’t merely reserve that willingness to experiment and evolve for his work. Throughout his entire life, Q was consistently one of the best-dressed people in any room—and that's saying something, given he was often sharing rooms with the likes of Miles Davis, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, and countless other style gods. He earned that reputation by fearlessly embracing new trends—from embroidered tunics and bell-bottoms in the ’70s to Missoni knits and stonewashed jeans in the ’90s—while also making them entirely his own, always allowing his powerful and inimitable character to shine through. You can also tell that Jones really loved his clothes; when you scroll through every available picture of him on the internet, as I just did for this story, you start to see a handful of favorite pieces pop up again and again across the years. There were no stylists involved here, just an artistic genius who loved to compose fits as much as pop smashes.In the coming decades, Jones’s sartorial acuity will be rightfully overshadowed by his musical triumphs. But unless you happen to be a generational talent on the keys, scrolling through the photos below and taking inspiration from one of his dozens of unimpeachable looks is a far easier way for you to pay direct tribute to his outsized legacy this week.Gai Terrell1/401960At the start of the 1960s, still in his late 20s, Jones had already established himself as one of the most exciting young musical directors on the planet. His studio uniform of a striped button-down, natty ribbed cardigan, and skinny knit tie felt right in line with his fresh-faced energy.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images2/401964By 1964, Jones was the vice-president of Mercury Records—hence the slim-lapeled, Mad Men-esque suit, worthy of a high-powered executive.Universal History Archive/Getty Images3/401968When in Rome—as Jones is here, with the Italian singer Raffaella Carrà—you dress as the Romans do. And in 1968, that meant a trim turtleneck and a big-collared topcoat.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images4/401970Jones swaggered his way into the '70s with grown-out hair, canyon-wide lapels, and a healthy hit of velvet.Fotos International/Getty Images5/401970Even more velvet with a supremely cool ribbon tie.Jim McCrary6/401970Did somebody say '70s?David Redfern7/401970Never underestimate the power of a striped tee and a teeny-tiny timepiece.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images8/401970Gorgeous embroidery.ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images9/401971Ruffled shirts are back in a big way. Let Q show you how to pull one off right.David Redfern10/401972Take this as a sign to trade in your tired henley for a righteous lace-front shirt.David Redfern11/401973The silky statement shirt attracts all the attention here, but it's those beautiful wide trousers that really make this fit sing.Jim McCrary12/401974Everyone eventually goes through a leather pant phase. Hopefully yours will be as fruitful as Jones's was.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images13/401974Striped shirt, great jeans, beat-to-hell lace-ups, can't lose.Bobby Holland/Getty Images14/401981You just can't beat a perfectly slouchy sweater.Ron Galella/Getty Images15/401984It's hard to stand out next to MJ in his full bedazzled regalia, but Jones holds his own here in a classic double-breasted tuxedo.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images16/401985At the 1985 American Music Awards—AKA the event immediately preceding the greatest night in pop—Jones rolled up in an extremely sick, extremely '80s quilted jacket.Bonnie Schiffman Photography/Getty Images17/401985A can't-miss fit you should copy today: nice cardigan, sturdy oxford shirt, washed Levi's, low-slung loafers.Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty Images18/401989Jones pulled up to the Batman premiere looking every bit a superhero himself in an excellent patterned bomber jacket.Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty Images19/401989Cowboycore at its finest.John van Hasselt - Corbis/Getty Images20/401989Great tie—but what really sets this look off is the subtle gold earring.GARCIA/Getty Images21/401990GQ's unofficial office uniform done right.David Redfern22/401990Two words: Power. Suit.NBC/Getty Images23/401990Before hosting SNL, Jones matched Lorne Michael

Nov 5, 2024 - 07:42
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Quincy Jones Was a Style God Who Never Stopped Evolving
Slim suits in the ’60s. Psychedelic caftans in the ’70s. Slouchy knits in the ’80s. The late musical icon was a true menswear maven across every decade of his life.
Image may contain Quincy Jones Quincy Jones Quincy Jones Quincy Jones Quincy Jones Quincy Jones and Electrical Device
Photographs: Getty Images; Collage: Gabe Conte

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