Fast forward to the '80s: After the release of his Berlin trilogy (Low, "Heroes", and Lodger), Bowie shifted to pop-rock with Let's Dance, which became a huge commercial hit, debuting at the top of the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. Surfing on this success, the singer adopted a less provocative, more audience-friendly look. His impeccable pastel suits blended the slickness of the Thin White Duke with a hint of Ziggy Stardust's flamboyant outfits, but the make-up and gender-bending clothes were gone. With his hair dyed blond and styled in a blown-out pompadour, Bowie's new romantic look extended his sex-symbol status into the mainstream.
Powder Blue Suit Jacket by Mugler, $1175 at Ssense.com. Striped Shirt by Zara, $59.90. Self-Tie Bow Tie by The Tie Bar, $17.90. Grey Wingtip Oxford by Florsheim by Duckie Brown, $265 at Last Call by Neiman Marcus. White Leather Belt by Gucci, $230.
