Sir Elton John designed Ed Sheeran’s jazzy blazer, which he wore on the red carpet at the GQ Awards. According to the Sun, “Elton approved.” “It has a lot of him in it.” Sheeran wore it with a little “rabbit-in-the-changing-room-headlights” face. The Versace jacket screamed showbiz, and Elton John screamed showbiz.
It’s not Eddy-like. We’re used to seeing Sheeran dressed down as a pub crooner, with plaid shirts over generic T-shirts, hoodies, and cargo jackets. We haven’t seen him in a suit before, but that’s not true.
He’s worn them with a not altogether charmless Tomy’s My First Suit enthusiasm at many award events throughout the years. He accessorized his suit with trainers and a Casio watch during the 2015 Ivor Novello Awards, for example. He dressed up as a vampire in a fuscia outfit in his Bad Habits video.
It was all part of Sheeran’s gradual transformation. It’s not exactly Ziggy Stardust-level transformation, but he’s been quietly improving his fashion game in recent months: bomber jackets, denim shirts, and quilted coats. Sheeran’s factory settings style is a mix of utilitarian and bedroom pop in general.
We’ve been made to believe that concentrating solely on Sheeran’s clothing misses the message totally. A big patchwork stage curtain in vibrant tones of electric purple, pumpkin orange, and pineapple yellow was featured on the Versace jacket, which had a characteristic baroque print. Yes, the sides did have a black and white Harlequin pattern.