Style Archive: Simon & Garfunkel

I am shielded in my armor

My European history teacher gave me a weird assignment toward the end of senior year. She wanted me to watch The Graduate. I don’t care to speculate why she wanted me to watch The Graduate, but watch it I did, and it immediately became my favorite movie. I sympathized with Dustin Hoffman’s character in a deep and probably telling way. I’m sure I cribbed all of his mannerisms and one-liners and became insufferable for the remainder of that year.

The Graduate turned me on to Simon & Garfunkel, and now I own multiple brown turtlenecks. Coincidence? Paul and Art made some big fits in the ‘60s, but nobody really ever talks about their style. I’m here to change that. Please join me for another trip to the New Experimental Hours style archive.

You know those ‘50s flashback scenes in Mad Men when Don, a young copywriter, is shown wearing post-war suits with lots of buttons and wide lapels? This picture reminds me of that, except Paul and Artie are wearing skinny, terrible bow ties and pompadours. This was back when they called themselves Tom & Jerry.

1964: The US continues to dig its heels into Vietnam, and a folk duo called Simon & Garfunkel quietly release their debut LP Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.. This photograph is from the cover shoot. Suits have changed a lot. Lapels, jackets, and trousers have narrowed, and the fabrics have become more muted. This era of tailoring was mined endlessly in the 2000s–most notably by J. Crew–and it remains my favorite suiting silhouette. Designers currently prefer a slouchier fit, but I’m reluctant to buy another suit since I wear one fewer than five times per year.

The boys look terrific, don’t they? By the way, I love it when musicians pose with their instruments.

Paul and Artie looked really handsome at prom. I hope they had fun, but they probably fought all night. Paul is already on his professorial shit, wearing corduroy jackets and a bad haircut. Art’s suit is great. Just the right proportions.

The times, they are a-changing. Paul’s shirt looks just like a pajama top my wife wears to bed. I do appreciate him adding color to his wardrobe.

Most people throw on a windbreaker or t-shirt or hoodie to go hiking in the woods. Not Simon & Garfunkel. Paul uses the opportunity to cosplay as a badass. Say it to my face, bitch. I’m Paul Simon. I wrote “Kathy’s Song.” Who will love a little sparrow?

Art is wearing his signature hiking vest. This man loves a vest. There will be many more vests over the years.

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Here the guys are posing in front of a frozen waterfall. Paul looks cold. Art looks confident. He could take his look out for a spin today, and nobody would bat a lash. Terrific jacket and trousers.

Is it just me, or is Art kind of a sex symbol? He’s hot. He knows how to work the camera. I can’t figure out what he’s wearing in this picture, but it doesn’t matter. I always said I preferred Paul, but I think I might be on Team Art after all. Paul is a genius songwriter, but he’s not a babe like Arthur Fugging Garfunkel.

This picture was taken in 1967. Our favorite duo is about to enter their dynastic period. Bookends, Bridge Over Troubled Water, The Graduate. American icons. Iconic looks, too.

You can’t write a song called “Bleecker Street” and not be versed in the art of the turtleneck. I love that Paul and Art are matching. Substantial belt buckles, Cuban heels, washed out jeans, and smoking cigarettes indoors: the 1960s seemed pretty chill.

What on earth is going on here? Is that a crushed velvet wizard’s coat? Over a v-neck sweater? Maybe this is Paul’s typical “I’m shopping at F.A.O. Schwarz” look. Art is starting to dress like an old man. He was 27 at the time.

Simon & Garfunkel cleaned up at the 1971 Grammy Awards. It was a well-deserved victory lap. Bridge Over Troubled Water moved a shit ton of copies, and the title track spent six weeks at number one.

I don’t think people listen to the album much anymore. Am I wrong? My theory: Simon & Garfunkel are more of a greatest hits act these days. It’s a good album for sure, but it’s also got its share of whiffs. “El Condor Pasa,” “Keep the Customer Satisfied,” “Why Don’t You Write Me.” I’d rank it fourth in their catalog – miles ahead of the debut but nowhere near as good as Sounds of Silence, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, or Bookends. Please weigh in in the comments.

Art looks awesome. Paul should’ve never taken off his tie. They hated each other at this point.

Simon & Garfunkel have reunited over the years, of course. Most famously in 1981 for their concert in Central Park. (Great album, and they looked cool as hell.) They also reunited for a buddy cop show on a fledgling network called FOX. That’s the promo photo above. In the pilot, Art learns how to stand. Riveting stuff.

Simon & Garfunkel look like this now. They’re old men. Art’s having fun with his wardrobe. I respect that. Paul’s doing his thing, too. Look closely, and you’ll notice that his blazer is made of velvet. Ensconced in velvet. Around the release of Graceland (1986), Paul learned how to wear a crisp t-shirt under a blazer, and that’s been his go-to look ever since.

I don’t think I know a single person who dislikes Simon & Garfunkel. That would be strange. They seem sort of underrated–at least at this moment in history. Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and The Stones can never be underrated. Maybe Simon & Garfunkel can? Where am I headed with this?

Listen to the albums. There are only five of them. They’re all great, and three of them are classics. The live albums are phenomenal, too, and the comps kick ass. Paul looks like a Bassett Hound on the cover of the big one from 1972. You just can’t go wrong when you turn on Simon & Garfunkel.

You can’t go wrong channelling their style, either. Just pretend it’s autumn all the time. Put on a cable knit sweater, a faded pair of jeans, a vest, and a wool coat. You are now Mr. Autumn Man, and you love Simon & Garfunkel.