An Ode to Slash, Rock and Roll’s Best-Dressed Guitarist

Slash is one of the most famous rockers in the world, with a famous look to go with it. The British-American guitarist — whose real name is Saul Hudson — has become a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee (in 2012) who is instantly recognizable thanks to his signature top hats and flowing curly mane. His wardrobe staples of leather, leather, and more leather have been just as captivating as his stage presence. With masterful skill and style, you simply can’t look away. In honor of his 55th birthday today, Vogue is looking back at some of his most memorable looks.

Most people know Slash from his Guns N’ Roses days, and his early days with the group are certainly where his flair for grungy gear developed. Snapshots from the late 1980s and early 1990s showcase what the classic Slash look has come to be: band tees, leather pants, moto jackets, and tons of jewelry finished with a top hat. Frontman Axl Rose may be a fashion icon in his own right thanks to his affinity for bandanas, but Slash is often the slept-on member, and one who gave the band its badass feel.

The biggest through-line in his style is his relentless love of dramatic hats: the guitarist rarely performs without one. Even as Slash played around with different sounds, his fashion tastes have remained consistent. In an interview last year, Slash dished on just how many he owns—and it’s not as many as you think. “I have one that I wear, and I have a couple other ones that are sitting around in the closet, a couple old leather ones I never got rid of,” he told an Australian television show. It’s not just a style statement for him either, rather a form of fashion armor when performing for large crowds. "I've always been a little nervous in front of crowds, and [top hats] made it - made me - feel a lot more comfortable,” he told AP. Slash, a stage fright-prone rocker—who would have guessed?

Below, some of Slash’s best rocker looks.