Emulate Bob Dylan’s timeless style sustainably with vintage finds, eco-friendly brands, and wardrobe staples to get that rebel cool look while staying planet-conscious.
“Don’t follow leaders,” Bob Dylan sang in his 1965 hit Subterranean Homesick Blues, a lyric that could easily double as a rallying cry for both the sustainability movement and personal style. Dylan has consistently defied convention across a career spanning six decades — and still going — the 83-year-old just ended a three-year-long tour world tour. He made his mark not only through his music — in 2016, Dylan became first musician to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, honored “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition” — but also through his effortlessly iconic wardrobe. His look — a mix of denim workwear, leather jackets, and casually rumpled tailoring — rejected the polished pretense of his era, favoring authenticity over trend.
More than sixty years after Dylan first made his mark on American music and style, sustainability is now also rewriting the rules of fashion, making Dylan’s ethos feels more relevant than ever. His disregard for conformity mirrors the sustainability movement’s mission: dismantling the linear, wasteful model of fast fashion in favor of timelessness and circularity. And now, with Timothée Chalamet set to embody Dylan in A Complete Unknown, there’s no better moment to revisit this enduring style and explore how to achieve it sustainably.
Chalamet has also emerged as a trendsetter in his own right. The 28-year-old has become a prominent advocate for sustainable fashion, frequently collaborating with eco-conscious designers and making mindful sartorial choices that resonate with his generation’s environmental concerns. Chalamet has often been seen wearing Stella McCartney’s designs, a label renowned for its commitment to sustainability. Notably, he donned a pink three-piece suit by McCartney at the Little Women premiere in Paris in December 2019 and wore a bespoke mushroom suit to a Dune photocall in 2021.
At the 2020 Oscars, Chalamet sported a navy suit from Prada’s Re-Nylon range, crafted from regenerated nylon made from recycled ocean plastics and textile waste. Chalamet has also been spotted in archival pieces, such as a vintage leather ensemble from Helmut Lang’s Spring/Summer 1998 collection at the 2023 CinemaCon event in Las Vegas. The acto has collaborated with ethical jewelry brands. He has been associated with Cartier, a brand that emphasizes responsible sourcing and sustainable practices.
Get the look
These Bob Dylan-inspired pieces are sourced from vintage and eco-friendly platforms. Think sleek but unpolished — a look that’s as rebellious as it is sustainable.
By shopping secondhand, supporting brands committed to sustainable practices, and embracing the enduring appeal of Dylan’s aesthetic, you can wear your values as boldly as you wear those vintage jackets and Chelsea boots.
The Vintage Leather Jacket: A Rebel’s Armor
Few things scream Dylan more than a leather jacket. He sported one during his electric set at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 — a moment that shocked traditionalists and cemented his image as a cultural renegade.
For a sustainable spin, skip the new and search for vintage. Platforms like The RealReal are teeming with pre-owned treasures. A standout pick? The Acne Studios Oversized Leather Jacket, available in gently used condition, marries modern luxury with a rugged, lived-in feel. Explore Vestiaire Collective for vintage Acne offerings.
Prefer to avoid virgin leather? Brands like Deadwood offer sustainable alternatives using upcycled leather. The Dean Jacket is made entirely from reclaimed materials, and delivers the same edge without the environmental footprint.
But our pick is the sleek Plush Teddy Paneled Biker Jacket from Stella McCartney featuring Alter Mat vegan leather.
Plaid Shirts: An Everyday Uniform
Dylan’s plaid flannels were a mainstay during his Greenwich Village days, paired effortlessly with denim. This staple of working-class Americana translates seamlessly into today’s sustainable wardrobe.
For authentic, one-of-a-kind finds, head to your local thrift shop or Goodwill, where the flannels and plaids are plentiful. If you prefer a more structured search, The RealReal has pre-loved options from heritage brands like Saint Laurent, Ralph Lauren, and Burberry.
Looking for new and eco-conscious? Check out Outerknown’s Blanket Shirts, crafted from organic cotton and recycled materials. The softness and longevity of these pieces make them a Dylan-worthy investment.
Vintage Tees: Poetry in Every Thread
Dylan’s nonchalant cool was never overthought, and nothing captures that effortless energy like a vintage tee. From his early days hanging out in Greenwich Village cafes to the Rolling Thunder Revue era, Dylan paired his denim and leather with simple T-shirts that felt authentically lived-in. A vintage tee brings that same vibe to any wardrobe, while promoting the reuse central to sustainable fashion.
For an authentic piece, scour The RealReal or Vestiaire Collective for vintage band tees or minimalist graphics. A standout? A 1970s Hanes Graphic Tee ($95) found on Grailed, offering timeless appeal and subtle wear that tells its own story. If you’re chasing the rock-and-roll vibe, look for faded black tees featuring iconic bands — think Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones, or The Band, a Dylan favorite.
Prefer eco-conscious newness? Turn to brands like Jungmaven, which crafts its tees from a luxurious hemp and organic cotton. The Ojai Tee in faded neutrals evokes the relaxed style Dylan embodied, while the sustainable production process supports lower-impact fashion.
Slim-Fit Denim: Workwear Redux
From protest marches to recording studios, Dylan’s jeans were as much a part of his image as his guitar. His preference for slim cuts speaks to an understated masculinity that continues to resonate.
Sourcing vintage Levi’s from Vestiaire Collective or eBay is the most sustainable way to channel this classic. Look for 501s or 511s — styles that retain their shape and deliver an authentic worn-in patina. Prices range from $50 to $200 depending on rarity and condition.
For new but conscious denim, turn to Boyish Jeans, a brand specializing in low-impact production. The Billy High-Rise Skinny Jean ($168), made with recycled cotton and Tencel, nails Dylan’s silhouette while championing eco-friendliness.
The Statement Sunglasses
Dylan’s angular black shades weren’t just accessories; they were symbols of mystique. Whether you’re channeling his 1960s swagger or adding intrigue to a minimalist outfit, sunglasses remain a defining element of his look.
Secondhand Ray-Ban Wayfarers abound on The RealReal, often at prices under $120. For those seeking an eco-alternative, check out Bottega Veneta’s Panthos. These sunglasses are crafted from recycled acetate, and offer Dylan-inspired sharpness while reducing the need for new materials.
Chelsea Boots: Grounding the Look
No Dylan look is complete without the addition of Chelsea boots. From album covers to tour stops, the sleek profile of this footwear has been a hallmark of his style.
To keep things sustainable, vintage leather pairs can be found on Vestiaire Collective or at high-end consignment shops. If you’re open to vegan leather, Tasmania’s Blundstone combines Dylan’s signature cool with animal-free innovation.
The Timeless Blazer
A black blazer might not immediately scream Dylan, but in the mid-60s, it became a central element of his look, paired casually with striped tees or layered over turtlenecks. It’s the perfect way to inject a touch of sophistication into an otherwise rugged ensemble.
Look for pre-owned blazers by designers like Saint Laurent or Paul Smith on The RealReal. The streamlined silhouettes of these brands echo Dylan’s understated refinement. Alternatively, check out Eileen Fisher’s Renew collection, which repurposes gently used garments into new iterations. A black wool blazer ($195) from this line offers both sustainability and versatility.
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