When pioneering new wave band Blondie made the leap from New Yorks art-rock scene to the wide world, lead singer Debbie Harrys look went from scrappy to sultry. The underground accused the band of selling out, but Harrys solid-colored, one-shouldered disco dresses proved that uptown chic could coexist with downtown cool. The slinky look remains one of fashions most referenced. (Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Bryan Ferry, solo artist and singer for 70s art-rock band Roxy Music, brought sexy to the suit like no one before or since (he even trumped Bowie). The suits varied in silhouette, from oversized and artsy to slim and swanky, but Ferry anchored most with plain white button-down shirts sporting ties early on, later going for an unbuttoned, mambo king look. How did he make corporate-world basics look so slick? Call it natural-born cool. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)