David Bowie was a sartorial chameleon.
Seamlessly shifting between bold spandex leotards and oversized zoot suits, the artist used clothing to create a wide variety of on-stage personas.
Instead of adhering to conventions, he pushed boundaries and trail-blazed trends that influenced fans, runways and modern-day celebrities. In order to remember his iconic presence, we've collected some of Bowie's most popular characters and rule-defying looks.
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1. Gender bending
Bowie was one of the first to experiment with what has now become a buzz-phrase in the fashion community. Refusing to adhere to social conventions, Bowie wore dresses because he thought they were beautiful, and bravely faced community backlash in doing so.
[img src="http://admin.mashable.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/GettyImages-73989511.jpg" caption="Bowie performs onstage during his "Ziggy Stardust" era in 1973." credit="Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images" alt=""Ziggy Stardust" Era Bowie"]
2. Unitards
Bowie recognized the comfort and utility of a one-piece before most of us, and he quickly became known for his signature Ziggy Stardust playsuits which experimented with structure, pattern and symmetry. In 2014, supermodel Kate Moss donned a romper when she accepted Bowie's BRIT award for Best Male Solo Artist, on his behalf.
David Bowie performing during his last show as Ziggy Stardust.
Bowie poses for a portrait in his "Ziggy Stardust" guise in 1972.
3. Berlin comfort
Between 1977 and 1979, Bowie sported classic combinations of loose tees and high-waisted trousers — pairing the looks with the occasional sailor hat. These outfits were simple and tame compared to the glam rock costumes that preceded and followed this period.
4. Pirate-inspired
No one can forget Bowie's bold neckties and eye patches -- a look that only he could pull off with flair and confidence. For Bowie, style was effortless, and he made his pirate-influenced era one worth remembering.
5. Capes
Everyone looks royal in a cape, and Bowie was no exception. Whether boldly printed, intricately embroidered or bedazzled with sequins, Bowie stunned and shone in these grand silhouettes and brought new meaning to glam-rock.
6. Colored suits
Even Bowie's simpler looks were bold. He became known for his brightly colored suits, and showed that even when wearing on of society's most commonplace outfits, he could still stand out and turn heads.
BONUS: Remembering the music of David Bowie across 6 decades
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