Music, style, and Bob Marley’s life don’t follow a single pattern. Known as the king of reggae, Marley grew up listening to classic rhythm and blues, and in his early photos, he can be seen wearing an unexpected suit.
There isn’t one definitive style, just as there isn’t one version of Bob Marley. The influences of Lee “Scratch” Perry, his openness to the West, and his connection to Africa left deep marks on his way of dressing and behaving. Here, we revisit his style through X key pieces.
Denim shirts
Denim shirts, and even the total denim look (*Canadian tuxedo*), were a regular part of Bob Marley’s wardrobe. At the time, these pieces were associated with countercultural movements, having long shed their history as workwear.
Tricolor jacket
The colors red, yellow, and green, which symbolized a return (both spiritual and sometimes physical) to Africa, appeared in many of Bob Marley’s garments, and by extension, in Rastafarianism. The tricolor jacket he wore during his final concert in London in 1980 became etched in the collective consciousness, forever linked to his name.
M65 jacket
Military surplus uniforms flooded stores in the 1970s and were adopted by a new generation that gave them an entirely new meaning. Hippies and punks, for example, shared a fondness for military memorabilia, albeit with different contexts. Bob Marley also embraced a classic of military aesthetics: the M65 jacket.
Tracksuit
The 1970s saw the rise in popularity of the tracksuit, a technologically advanced garment that enabled an active lifestyle. Before hip hop made it a cultural staple, Bob Marley had already integrated sportswear into his daily life. His image, donning a tracksuit and adidas sneakers, inspired designers like Wales Bonner, who in 2020 released a collection based on Marley and his influence on Dance Hall culture.
Soccer
Bob Marley loved playing soccer. Allan Cole, The Wailers’ manager and a former Jamaican national team player, would organize informal matches between tours and recording sessions. Naturally, soccer style became part of Marley’s image too. He was often seen wearing soccerjerseys from teams like the national teams of France and Brazil, Tottenham Hotspur, Santos, Hamburg SV, or Nantes. Marley’s influence on soccer has endured, with clubs like Dublin’s Bohemian FC and Ajax creating jerseys inspired by him. Ajax even released a special edition kit based on his song Three Little Birds, which their fans regularly sing at matches.
adidas sneakers
Before sneakers were linked to specific subcultures, they were already a staple for Bob Marley. Far from the typical Rastafarian aesthetic, Marley wore sneakers, usually adidas, because they allowed him to jump into a soccer match at any time. Marley exemplified how he blended the look of his passion, soccer, and at the heart of soccer was adidas.
The new adidas Originals SL 72 One Love is inspired by the connection between Bob Marley and the brand (evident in numerous period photos). With an unexpected black and green color combination, the shoe features the artist’s signature and the iconic label with his image on the tongue.