Tell me what you will but being a rock star is without a doubt a dream for everyone at one stage of their life. For a lucky few, playing a guitar and melodically screaming into a microphone comes naturally, but for the rest of us, being a rock star is limited to our fantasies and private sessions with an Ipod and hair brush microphone in our bathrooms. While you might not be able to be a rockstar in life, you can at least be a rockstar in style. Take your cues from the top ten most stylish rockers.

1. David Bowie

He’s enough to make me contemplate getting a mullet. From those freakishly alluring eyes (his left is permanently damaged with a dilated pupil) a bright red mullet and theatrical makeup, David Bowie has proven he can pull of anything. He is, to put it briefly, the man. Taking on a range of characters including a platform shoe-wearing alien called Ziggy Stardust, the blue eye shadowed Hunky Dory and the lighting bolt striped Aladdin Sane, all of Bowie’s re-incarnations embraced an image of glamour and androgyny, none more stylish than the uber chic Thin White Duke.

2. Gwen Stefani

Gwenny has come a long way since her days as lead singer of No Doubt, but even when she was rocking out in midriffs, bleach blonde hair knotted up like a porcupine around her head and deep red lips, you couldn’t help but be seduced by her spunk and fashion enthusiasm. When Gwen takes on a style, from Harajuku girl, Alice in Wonderland, to camo prints and cargo pants, it’s enough to convince you that despite your previous style smarts maybe you too could look good in cargo pants and a crop top. Then again, maybe not.

3. Slash

There could be a horrible ugly old man under the top hat, glasses and mass of black curls for all we know, but despite such trivialities, Slash is one sexy beast. Born Saul Hudson, the guitarist for Guns and Roses earnt his sex appeal from donning leather jackets, tight jeans, muscle shirts, band t-shirts, sunglasses and of coarse top hats. T-Pain has a lot of explaining to do.

4. Stevie Nicks

She’s a poster child for seventies bohemian style, but there was more to Stevie Nicks than peasant skirts and ponchos. The Fleetwood Mac singer had a darker edge with a nack for black velvet, white lace, long flowing fabrics and lots of layers. At one point she was rumoured to have practiced witchcraft, which then saw Stevie do a style 180 and go on a black detox in favour of pieces in pastel and a killer perm. It was the eighties after all.

5. Jimi Hendrix

His incredible guitar abilities were never upstaged by his choice in clothing, but Jimi Hendrix did have an astonishing way with paisley shirts, vests, headbands, flares, suede fringing, neon colours and embellished jackets.

6. Debbie Harry

As the original rock chick, the blonde haired lead singer of Blondie oozed sex appeal from head to heels. While her figure didn’t hurt, it was her confidence and versatility to make anything from jeans to little white dresses look hell sexy. Strutting around on stage in tight black leather, studded belts and thigh high boots, Debbie not only worked the good girl gone bad look, but made it look easy and fun while doing it.

7. Karen O and Peaches

Did I just break the rules? I couldn’t help it, these two are equally as crazy cool as each other, so I made like Karen O and Peaches and said ‘screw it, I’m doing it’ and placed them both in at number 7. Why did they make the list? Do the phrases light up-crotch jumpsuit or blow-up-sleeve-glittery dress mean anything to you? Probably not, but these girls went with it and made it happen anyway. Sure, you may think that just because someone isn’t afraid of lycra spandex, that doesn’t make them a style icon. Elementary my dear cynic. When you rock out in some spandex, with a pageboy haircut and a light up wrestling mask, lose your sh*t on stage and still look amazing while doing it, that makes you Karen O, which in turn makes you one of the top ten most awesome stylish rockers.

8. Mick Jagger

We all know he can turn out good offspring, but Mick Jagger can also kick it with the best of them in the style department. Currently dating model turned designer L’Wren Scott, Jagger’s rock star style began with a mod preppy look in the sixties and over time evolved to a glam, almost feminine style. Jagger’s cheeky personality was reflected in his style as he wasn’t afraid to don women’s blouses with high waisted tight pants, and also favoured fur coats, jumpsuits and velvet blazers. Don’t even get me started on those lips!

9. Patti Smith

What’s cooler than cool? Ice cold! What’s cooler than ice cold? Patti Smith. Patti Smith was a big influence on the New York punk movement, often referred to as the ‘Godmother of Punk.’ Further to her titles, she was also known for her simple, androgynous look, favouring white men’s shirts, ties, worn in t-shirts and cowboy boots. Flashy sequins and spandex need not apply. Her famous black shag haircut, pale skin and fashion nonchalance embodies the idea of effortless rock-star style

10. Courtney Love

Yes I did take into account that Courtney Love is a bit of a hot mess these days. Sometimes she shows glimpses of interesting style, but it’s often lost in a hazy drunken expression, or last night’s makeup. But back in the day, her and hubby Kurt Cobain were the poster pair for grunge, and began the edgy style of flannelette shirts, fishnet stockings and flimsy crochet dresses. During her days as lead singer of Hole, Courtney’s wild blonde hair, heavy eye makeup and cheeky tiaras were inspirational for all of the girls out there looking for a different direction to the Spice Girls.