The Clash

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Without a doubt The Clash had a strong visual image. In fact is was essential to their success and their look mirrored the kind of music they were making at the time - urban paint splattered graffitied clothes complete with slogans. They didn't have McLaren and Westwood and a shop full of designed clothes like The Sex Pistols. What they did have is the tools of the street (paint, spray stencils) and Bernie Rhodes and Paul Simonon. Bernie Rhodes would have played a big part initially in helping create and define their initial look aided by Paul Simonon who spent some years at the exclusive Byam Shaw Art College in Holland Park London. Without a doubt the clothes were an extension of their sound and lyrics - as they became the last (punk) gang in town! Below is a little journey through their sartorial elegance!

August 1976 Chalk Farm Rehearsal Studios. Their first gig with Mick Jones looking like A Johnny Thunders clone, Joe still in pub rock mode (nice jacket) and the rest well ..getting there.

	October 76 With the Simonon designed Pollock influenced paint spattered clothes and shoes they were ready to rock. Mick Jones.." All I wanted was that we should look really fantastic."

Now they were ready to go all the way. Slogans, stencils and a more uniform punk look. Unfortunately Tory crimes their drummer didn't agree with their politics or I suppose their clothes which proclaimed their politics and upped and left leaving the way for Topper Headon

	Phasing out the slogans and stencilled clothes they opted more for a more regulation punk style - the bondage army drill pants with plenty of zips. The last gang in town. Seen here posing in Belfast from a Sounds front cover from October 1977

Fading out the punk look as the hair becomes longer and the mutation into the USA friendly rockabilly rebels begins

Its time to woo America with that crazy rockabilly American look.. London Calling more like New York here we come	.

And just a quick peek at how they were b4 splitting up around the Cut The Crap era. Cut back to a more punkier style and image but unfortunately the magic had gone. To the left 1977. To the right 1984.