From their inception, Guns N' Roses have stood out as a band with a distinctive and instantly recognizable image. Their style has become synonymous with the essence of rock and roll, showcasing a fascinating blend of personality and fashion.
Axl Rose once shared with Rolling Stone in 1989, “I try to express myself through my clothes. It’s another form of art. I’m not afraid of what people think about different ways I look. I’m gonna do what I want to.” This bold statement perfectly encapsulates the band’s ethos of self-expression through fashion.
However, it wasn’t just Rose who made a statement with his attire. He noted, “Steven [Adler] enjoys the hell out of the clothes he wears, whereas Slash and I wouldn’t be caught dead in them; then again, there’s things Slash and I wear that Steven wouldn’t be caught dead in either. It’s just different personalities.” This highlights the individuality each member brings to their stage presence and outfits.
Prepare for a showcase of these unique personalities when Guns N’ Roses embarks on their highly anticipated world tour, titled Because What You Want & What You Get Are Two Completely Different Things, beginning on May 1 in Incheon, Korea. If you’ve managed to secure tickets and are contemplating your own concert attire, we’ve compiled some fashionable suggestions for you, complete with links for easy shopping.
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Let’s kick things off with an iconic fashion accessory: a black top hat reminiscent of Slash‘s signature style. Luckily, Amazon boasts an extensive selection of variations on this item, catering to various styles and budgets. Slash is known for pairing his hat with a belt buckle-like band, but feel free to let your creativity shine when choosing your own accessories.
Interestingly, Slash never intended for his hat to gain the iconic status it holds today. He revealed to Conan O’Brien in 2022 that he originally stole it from a Los Angeles store before the band skyrocketed to fame. “It just spoke to me,” he said. “It just became a thing where I just really identified with it. Like I wore it all the time. There was a way you pull it over your eyes; you could hide behind it if you were really high. It was great for bad hair days. I had no intention of it being this long-term show thing.”
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Now, let’s discuss accessories in the realm of rock ‘n’ roll. They serve not only as fashion statements but also as practical tools. Take for instance Axl Rose‘s renowned bandana headband. “If we’re going to do a show,” he explained in that same 1989 interview, “I wear a headband because my hair gets in my face.” While Rose often wore a bright red bandana, he also sported other colors like blue or purple. Amazon has a wide array of colors available, so don’t hesitate to explore beyond the traditional.
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For those who think temporary tattoos are exclusively for children’s birthday parties, think again! At a Guns N’ Roses concert, you’ll notice that most musicians showcase visible tattoos. For instance, Duff McKagan occasionally shares snapshots on Instagram flaunting his latest ink. Why not get into the spirit and match the band? While you could opt for real tattoos, temporary ones are a fun and practical choice for a single night of excitement.
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While we can only speculate, it’s intriguing to ponder why Axl Rose donned a jersey featuring the number 22 during the band’s Use Your Illusion tour in the early ’90s. He was later seen in another black jersey, this time with the number 80, during the MTV Video Music Awards on August 29, 2002. This particular jersey appeared to be an Oakland Raiders football jersey, with the number 80 belonging to the legendary wide receiver Jerry Rice. You can easily find either number, 22 or 80, in classic black jersey style on Amazon.
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If you’re considering wearing a flannel shirt to a Guns N’ Roses concert, remember to tie it around your waist in true Rose fashion. Over the years, he has sported various color combinations, including red and black, and navy and white. Fortunately, Amazon offers plenty of color options, allowing you to select your own favorite and truly personalize your look.
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When it comes to fashion choices, Slash is a fan of sleeveless styles, especially denim cutoffs. While some of his bandmates have also embraced this look, you can either opt for a simple sleeveless top or go the extra step by acquiring an official Guns N’ Roses sleeveless denim vest from their website, which features a striking “bullet seal” on the back and the GN’F’NR logo across the top back and front panels. This choice reflects the band’s iconic rock style.
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While aviator sunglasses are a popular accessory among many rockstars, they are essential for completing an outfit inspired by either Axl Rose or Slash. You have the freedom to switch things up with different frame styles and lens colors to create your unique look.
In an interesting revelation, Slash shared that he adopted this accessory because it provided a form of shield from the crowd. “Now wherever you go, because everybody’s got camera phones, people take your picture, and you just end up never taking the shades off,” he told The New Zealand Herald in 2015. “And I rarely look out at the crowd. It makes me very uncomfortable to look directly into the face of the crowd.”
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This suggestion may not resonate with everyone, but if you have long hair, you could achieve the Slash look by curling your tresses with a small-barreled curling iron. Alternatively, wearing a wig can also help you nail that iconic style. Interestingly, Slash’s hair on the cover of GNR‘s debut album, Appetite for Destruction, is surprisingly straight, but the signature look is undoubtedly those voluminous, luscious curls.
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For the final daring outfit suggestion, let’s talk about Axl Rose’s memorable choice to wear exceptionally tiny white shorts. While he may not don them anymore, there was a time when Rose’s daring fashion choices made headlines. If you’re feeling particularly bold and the weather is warm, you can find similar options on Amazon that let you channel that adventurous spirit, albeit in a more figurative sense.
Explore Our Ranking of Every Guns N’ Roses Song from Worst to Best
While compiling the list of Guns N’ Roses songs ranked from worst to best, multiple narratives emerged, showcasing the variety of perspectives on their extensive discography. All entries were crafted by Eduardo Rivadavia, except where noted.
Gallery Credit: Eduardo Rivadavia
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