There’s nothing more fascinating than a dandy (style-wise), and in his prime, Adam Ant was one of the greats. Perhaps it’s because dandies are both ridiculed and idolized at the same time that their daring aesthetics become so influential decades – and sometimes centuries (Oscar Wilde represent!) – after they happen.
The last year Adam Ant painted his famous white stripe across his face was 1981, just before Adam and the Ants disbanded. Even though he was allegedly offered tons of money to do it again after he retired his famous look, he refused. We love a guy who sticks to his guns when it comes to closing the door on a part of his career, instead of the meaningless “retirement” culture we seem to have nowadays in the music world. Hence why we’re bringing the white stripe back.
We’re already predicting that Johnny Depp’s role as Tonto in The Lone Ranger next week is going to lead to a rise in men wearing a bit of ’80s style face paint, but we’d like to take a moment to remind you of one of the men who didn’t need a movie role as an excuse to paint white across his face or dress like a pirate or highwayman. Sure, The Lone Ranger might make men’s face paint the next big thing for the indie music set in the same way that men’s eyeliner kinda came and went with the mid-’00s, but don’t give Depp all the credit when it inevitably happens. Ant did it first, and he did it sincerely.
The majority of the success of this look depends on the attitude you’re planning on projecting. This look doesn’t exactly go well with your Club Monaco best, but pair it with some tailored marching band pants and a red blazer and you’ll be turning heads. All you’re really going to need, makeup-wise, is a matte white lipstick, like KA’OIR By Keyshia Ka’oir “Virgin” White Lipstick, and a steady hand to get the job done.
Women can rock this look too, but we recommend wearing full-on white lipstick as a killer alternative to bright red instead of painting the Ant stripe. Matte white nails are already a big summer trend, so why not beat the fashionistas to the punch? Sure, you might be the first in your neck of the woods to do it, but that’s what being a dandy is all about. Once the others have caught on, it will be time to make like Adam Ant and retire the look for good.