Listen, if we’re talking about horny, which of course we are, and if we’re talking about style, which of course we are - we cannot not talk about Freddie Mercury. The person with the best, horniest style of all time.
I’m not going to pretend to be a music buff - my takeaway from Bohemian Rhapsody was that I had no idea so many songs I loved were by Queen. My husband still makes fun of me like, “Hey babe, have you heard of this band QuEeN?” Jerk.
My other takeaway was the outfit Freddie wore to the Live Aid concert was one of my top three favorite looks of all time. I want to snort it, I want to put it into an IV drip, I want to tattoo it onto the back of my eyes so I can see it all the time - it’s the most genius styling, the sexiest outfit, the HORNIEST chicest, most creative but not try-hard outfit maybe since the history of clothing. Like… there has never been anything hotter than this.
I mean, give me a fucking break! It’s hyper-sexual, hyper-masculine, but also hyper-gay, and it’s just….I don’t know, I, like…it almost breaks my heart because I know I will never, ever in my life be able to do anything that’s as good as this one, perfect outfit. The studs around the arm…guys…I actually think this might be my favorite look on anyone I’ve ever seen, ever. Even Lauren Hutton. Even Harrison Ford. Even Ralph Lauren.
It was a pre-stylist era, and man, it really makes most of the shit we get served now look like…well…shit.
But this whole letter isn’t just about one look - it’s about getting a flavor for his style, generally. For the purposes of this letter, I’m going to just go into some of my favorite off-stage looks, and little through-lines I’ve noticed that make his personal style so stellar.
Also, this Sept, Sotheby’s London will be auctioning off ~1,500 of his personal possessions. I believe they’ll be on vier in London all summer, so if you go, GO, and if not, then you can peruse the catalog here. (His high tops!!!)
Itty Bitty Baby Shorts
Mine angel Freddie really loved some tiny shorts. And I love him in them. I love a man in little shorts! He wore them on stage a lot, with suspenders and without, and as part of a red sequin scoop neck romper…but off stage, he’s well documented in little 70s and 80s style track shorts with novelty tanks. Another thing I really love about his style is how he was able to wear graphic tees and tanks in a way that feels really natural - not like a walking ad. This is something I’ve struggled with, personally. It might not be my style, but I’m inspired to try again this summer.
There are lots and lots of good vintage and vintage-inspired track shorts here on Etsy, but I’ve also pulled out some of my favorites.
1. Very classic, very minimalist, and very affordable retro style track shorts. I love how teeny tiny they are. Aeropostale, $8
2. An upgraded version - these are by Sporty & Rich. You can’t really see it here, but there’s a very cute, tiny Sporty & Rich logo on the leg. Which is just two clicks away from Horny & Rich. Sporty & Rich, $114
3. These are men’s, which I actually think I prefer for this style. I like how the legs don’t go quite as up on the side - it makes them feel less like a Sexy Track Star costume and a little more authentic. Champion, $35
4. I really like this outdoor brand - there are some very cute neon nylon shorts out there (I actually love these), but they feel a little too on the nose with Barbie coming out. I like this shape, and this color a bit more. Feels more interesting. Cotopaxi, $70
5. This Gucci tank really does it for me! Gucci, $550
6. I just got one of these - it seems like a very necessary styling piece - something to either dumb-down something wild or kick-up something basic. This tank is so simple, but it’s so hard to find something as perfect as this. Kule, $75
7. Another great one from Kule - this time with a strawberry! (And on sale!) Kule, $38
8. I don’t know what the deal is with this seller or these shirts, but I fucking love this tank. I don’t understand the shape, or anything really about it - to the point where I think I have to order it. Etsy, $20
9. The best, most interesting shoe choice (in my opinion!) is a soft loafer. It makes the whole thing feel a bit less like, I’m just on my way to the pool…. and more intentional. Sezane, $225
10. I like a little sneaker with this too - I would go with off-white Vans, I think. Vans, $60
11. Sunglasses are tricky - it would be easy to veer into costume with this look, by going with something like a pair of Aviators, or, like, Loewe’s very Loewe sunglasses. I’ll try and steer clear of that with some crisp, clean, oval cat eyes. Celine, $440
12. And finally - a hat! A really great, canvas, packable hat. Hat Attack, $87
Horny Jeans
I wonder how many times I’m going to say Horny in this…but they’re just so…horny. Here, too - I love the kind of expected/unexpected pairings of the Gold’s Gym tank with a thick leather belt, or the blue and yellow converse with red pants, and a STRIPE tank. And then that yellow sweatshirt - god, so good. This is the same kind of formula as the Live Aid outfit I love so much. All very tight, all very graphic, but a thick hint of Leather Daddy.
1. A very simple little ringer tank. Madewell, $32
2. Want to go very literal? Here are some of the Gold’s Gym tanks that he wore. Gold’s Gym, $30
3. I love this vintage shirt from Filth Mart. It’s a nice alternative too if you don’t want to show your arms. Super cute, and very much the feeling, but not such a literal copy that you’ll feel like you’re in a Freddie Mercury costume. Filth Mart, $175
4. Another goodie from Filth Mart - what an excellent sweatshirt! It’s expensive, but it would look so cool with pretty much everything on this list. Filth Mart, $500
5. Freddie was wearing wranglers in that performance, and these are a dead ringer for the ones he had on. They have no stretch, and are thick, substantial denim, which I think definitely goes with the vibe. Wrangler, $55
6. If you prefer your jeans with stretch, these from ReDone are excellent. ReDone, $295
7. A nice red pair! The cut and fit of these is perfect - very straight. Jacquemus, $383
8. And now some white ones! I love the idea of this look with white denim and a mostly white top. Madewell, $128
9. A simple, wide, black leather belt. Toteme, $420
10. And one with studs. Khaite, $520
11. I love Freddie’s converse - so why mess with a good thing? Lately I’ve had a craving for these in yellow. I think they’d work with a surprisingly wide spread of looks. The yellow isn’t so out there that it’s crazy, but it’s still more interesting than black or white. Converse, $65
12. However, even more interesting than a pair of Chuck’s - these mesh sock slippers from The Row, which give just a hint of kink without being too literal. A pair of classic Ballet flats would also be nice - I’d wear them with the jeans cropped to the ankle. The Row, $690
13. And then…what better use for Alaïa’s silly heart bag? I love this bag. Alaïa, $1,290
Fancy Little Tops & Jackets
Maybe all of these are kind of variations on a theme of cutesy top, and a bottom, but what I like about these is that they’re kind of unexpected. I never liked Hawaiian shirts until seeing this, and forget me thinking a shawl collar Missoni robe blazer (?) was a good idea, but I am SOLD. And then the look all the way on the right? The jacket looks like a very, very antique piece, but it looks very natural with what he’s got on. They’re all slightly femme, but not overly, slightly quirky, but not overly - just the balance between good and bad taste.
1. There’s no way I could make it through this post without a nod to Bode - so much of the brand perfectly fits the bill for novel and quirky yet not silly. This print shirt is so soft, and so beautiful IRL, that it really chills out the crazy print. Bode, $480
2. This Matteau one is slightly more subdued, but still interesting enough to go in this category. Matteau, $350
3. I LOVE this little spangly jacket. With a vintage tee underneath, it would be very cool. I would avoid wearing it though with white jeans, so as to not look like a sailor or something. J.Crew, $398
4. One of my very favorite and most secret shopping resources is Giorgio Armani on The Real Real. The prices are unbelievable, and there’s nothing more beautifully cut, or made with better materials than Giorgio Armani. This blazer is perfect - a heritage print, but with an overlay of flat sequins to make it more interesting. Giorgio Armani, $90
5. And this! A gorgeous dream for $64. Also Armani.
6. A little cutie High Sport pant is the perfect partner for something like this. You could even do them in a color - the blue and white sequin jacket would look great with the purple or lime green pair. High Sport, $860
7. And here - a closer version to what he’s wearing in the photo - a flared pintucked white pant. The pintuck along the front is MEGA flattering. Reiss, $109
8. One more lovely little pair of soft loafers - I like these because they’re a nice mix of a moc and a loafer. Very unstructured to give the whole look some ease. Margaux, $325
9. And again, a slightly more feminine but no less cool or great shoe - The Row’s perfect version of the Mary Jane. I love these because they don’t have a heel. Being flat all the way across keeps them from feeling too schoolgirl, in my opinion. I have these in black and wear them all the time. The Row, $820
And there we have it! I love Freddie, I love Queen, I love you.
This weekend, in the paid subs letter, I’m doing a handful of trends I’m getting on board with - as someone who is typically very trend averse. Let’s see if I can come up with more than two!
Your friend,
Laurel
The earnestness dripping from your words has me howling and ... horny? Thank you for helping me see Freddie with fresh eyes 🥵
Such a beautiful man - thank you for this tribute and inspiration. Also, I have Wrangler jeans and I do not look like Freddie in my Wrangler jeans.