Serge Gainsbourg: "Je m’en fous".
When talking about Serge Gainsbourg, the word “style” cannot be avoided, although he probably would have. The French artist, singer, poet, filmmaker, and provocateur was more than just a public figure; he was an icon who embodied casual elegance, chic disorder, and a certain “je ne sais quoi” that only the French seem to master.
In a world of pressed suits and neatly knotted ties, Serge Gainsbourg was the human equivalent of a glass of red wine spilled over a white shirt.
Born in 1928, Serge started out as a painter before becoming a musician, bringing with him an artistic sensibility that he would soon carry into his way of dressing.
His fashion did not follow trends, he created them. While other men wore impeccable suits, he preferred his iconic scruffy but studied look: unbuttoned shirts, jeans that had seen better days, and, of course, the ever-present cigarette that seemed to be a natural extension of his hand.
In a world of pressed suits and neatly knotted ties, Serge Gainsbourg was the human equivalent of a glass of red wine spilled over a white shirt.
Born in 1928, Serge started out as a painter before becoming a musician, bringing with him an artistic sensibility that he would soon carry into his way of dressing.
His fashion did not follow trends, he created them. While other men wore impeccable suits, he preferred his iconic scruffy but studied look: unbuttoned shirts, jeans that had seen better days, and, of course, the ever-present cigarette that seemed to be a natural extension of his hand.
If there were a contest for the most iconic fashion accessory, Serge Gainsbourg's cigarette would undoubtedly win. No matter if he was sitting at the piano, strolling the streets of Paris, or performing on stage-Serge always had a Gauloises or Gitanes between his fingers, making smoking an integral part of his style.
For Serge, smoking was not just a habit; it was an expression of selflessness. “Je m'en fous” he seemed to say with each puff, a message reflected in the way he dressed. As if the smoke could sculpt his figure in the air, enveloping him in an aura of mystery and calculated contempt.
For Serge, smoking was not just a habit; it was an expression of selflessness. “Je m'en fous” he seemed to say with each puff, a message reflected in the way he dressed. As if the smoke could sculpt his figure in the air, enveloping him in an aura of mystery and calculated contempt.
Serge Gainsbourg had a rare gift: he could make even scruffy looks look cool. He wore unbuttoned shirts and rumpled tweed jackets as if they were couture garments. His faded jeans were his symbol of rebellion against conventionality and conformity. But don't be fooled: her “scruffy” look was actually the result of curated nonchalance.
Gainsbourg's shoes? Often Clarks Desert Boots, which combined comfort and style effortlessly. The message was clear: elegance yes, but without unnecessary complications. He was the man who made you believe that, to be chic, you didn't have to be flawless. In fact, a coffee stain on your collar or a loose tie was part of the charm.
Gainsbourg's shoes? Often Clarks Desert Boots, which combined comfort and style effortlessly. The message was clear: elegance yes, but without unnecessary complications. He was the man who made you believe that, to be chic, you didn't have to be flawless. In fact, a coffee stain on your collar or a loose tie was part of the charm.
One cannot talk about Serge Gainsbourg without mentioning the women who accompanied him, both in life and in fashion. From Brigitte Bardot to Jane Birkin, his muses were as glamorous as he was, and often also emblems of timeless style. These women not only reflected his eccentric taste, but complemented it with their own fashion sense, creating iconic pairs that will forever remain in the history of style.
Serge Gainsbourg left us in 1991, but his style continues to influence fashion today. From the return of vintage jeans to the appeal of rumpled shirts, Gainsbourg's legacy is alive and well. Whenever a man dares to pair a tweed jacket with frayed jeans or lights a cigarette with an air of nonchalance, echoes of Serge's style can be heard.
In a world that often takes fashion too seriously, Serge Gainsbourg has taught us that sometimes true elegance lies in not taking oneself too seriously. Perhaps not everyone can imitate his musical talent or his provocative poetics, but at least we can all be inspired by his way of saying, “Je m'en fous” with style.
In a world that often takes fashion too seriously, Serge Gainsbourg has taught us that sometimes true elegance lies in not taking oneself too seriously. Perhaps not everyone can imitate his musical talent or his provocative poetics, but at least we can all be inspired by his way of saying, “Je m'en fous” with style.