Canadian singer/songwriter Mac Demarco has made a name for himself in recent years, due to his laidback, lo-fi, synth pop sound. With “slacker rock” hits like Salad Days, Chamber of Reflection and Blue Boy, Demarco has become somewhat of a figurehead for the modern day indie rock movement. Demarco succeeds in crafting his own genre of easy listening, although his music is influenced by all kinds of source material, including, but not limited to, Japanese artist Haruomi Hosono, guitarist Johnny Marr, and John Lennon.
In the wake of his musical success, he has sort of stumbled into the role of an accidental fashion icon. Dad hats, beat up Vans sneakers, simple tees, and cuffed jeans have become some of the key pieces that make up what Demarco himself describes as the “bum chic” style.
Cooking Up Something Good
Though the 29-year-old musician’s music has evolved since his debut album Rock and Roll Night Club in 2012, his personal style has remained consistent. The clothes that he wears reflect his calm, “go with the flow” attitude and fit into the idea that he doesn’t put much thought into his outfit choices. He wears what he wants and what is comfortable. The heart of Demarco’s look is rooted in ease and comfortability, which is why people are paying attention to it.
The idea of being effortlessly cool is something people are always going to look up to when it comes to fashion, whether you’re talking about James Dean or Mac Demarco. Like the laidback guy he is, the Canadian born singer frequently discusses his use of cigarettes and famously wrote the catchy song Ode to Viceroy, which features lyrics that showcase his love for the American cigarette brand. This of course, plays into his relaxed image.
Baby’s Wearing Blue Jeans
What components contribute to “bum chic?” The Salad Days singer is often seen sporting some sort of thrifted or worn out t-shirt paired with cuffed light wash denim pants or even a grayish blue Dickies pair. As far as shirts go, Demarco enjoys sticking with cool toned solids, stripes and neutrals, and he is no stranger to broadcasting his love for The Simpsons through various graphic tees. The washed-out baseball cap is another staple piece of the musician’s style due to how easy it is to pop on before leaving the house, and according to the New York Times Style Magazine, he never wears new caps. In interviews, onstage and in photoshoots, Demarco often wears a pair of overalls in colors such as tan, brown, black or camouflage. He famously dons a black pair in the cover of his 2015 mini LP Another One.
Passing Out Pieces
Arguably, Demarco’s most notable fashion feature, his signature red authentic Vans sneakers and white socks are something of an indie trademark. Although he does dabble in other colored shoes including blue and white, the singer has given these bright red skater shoes a life of their own. Demarco even sold a pair of his tattered red Vans on EBay for a whopping $21,100.
This Old Dog
Part of the cheeky artist’s appeal is his relatability and down to earth persona. The fact that Demarco projects this very tone into his fashion choices, only makes him feel more like the “every man.” People look up to celebrities who seem unfazed by fame, and “bum chic” is a style that amplifies this notion. They aren’t just clothes. They’re clothes with character. They are important, but the way they are arrived at is unimportant, essentially. Deliberate effortlessness.
Freaking Out The Neighborhood
Demarco has garnered a sort of cult following, even though his music makes its way to mainstream audiences, thanks to the internet. Like most artists, his fans have adopted his signature style as their own. “Bum chic” has almost become the blueprint for the fashion of indie music listeners, skateboard culture and fast fashion naysayers. Men and women alike sport the style, sometimes adding a bit more 80s flair, as his music is reminiscent of a time of synthesizers and Smith’s riffs. People often associate cool toned, color blocked windbreakers with his style, although in reality, he does not sport such a flashy aesthetic.
“Bum chic” has almost transcended what Mac Demarco originally put forth due to fan interpretation, music style, and just fashion in general. Fashion is forever evolving and the fact that there is a new phase of “bum chic” proves how powerful and iconic the cigarette wielding artist’s simple, effortless style truly is.