dearALICE’s Style: How the British Boy Band “Rock” their Fashion

Who Are dearALICE?

From the BBC Documentary, Made in Korea: The K-pop Experience to their debut single, “Ariana” the new British boy group inspired by the K-pop genre are making waves in the music industry. As the first-ever British boy group partly helmed under K-pop powerhouse, SM Entertainment, the five talented members – James Sharp, Dexter Greenwood, Olly Quinn, Reese Carter, and Blaise Noon have superstardom in their horizons.

Debuting in February this year with “Ariana” – their first music video which was filmed in London – the place they collectively call home. But if you’re unfamiliar with the members and their personalities, we advise you read our ultimate guide on dearALICE first, alongside a review of their first meet and greet experience here.

Their second single and music video, “Sweet” was released in June and gave throwback ‘vibes’ to the early noughties. The video featured some ‘sweet’ aesthetics from pink theming to alluding bright summer vibes. There’s even confetti, dancing by the pool, and sipping bubble tea ‘in the dead of summer.’ Filmed in L.A., it’s definitely a stark contrast to their “Ariana” music video which featured heavily in British references. They then carved out a ‘sweet’ summer with their EP release, titled ‘bitterSWEETsummer’ featuring 7 tracks, including the emotionally soulful, “Save Us.”

Boy Band Fashion

As dearALICE are often seen sporting some pretty trendy fashions, it was only right to analyse the styles and fashion aesthetics of these five talented rising stars. Scrolling through their official Instagram page, it’s clear that dearALICE are not just making a statement through their music but with their fashion too.

Undertaking research for this style edit required analysis across multiple forms from dearALICE’s live performances through to fancy photoshoots and their casualwear seen in their TikTok videos, in order to gain a sense of their individual styles and fashion aesthetics. Most people do not conform to just one category, and so each of the members fit within two to three different fashion aesthetics. Read on to learn about each of their styles and fashion aesthetics through their outfits and accessory choices.

The Different Types of Fashion Aesthetics:

• Vintage Urban Chic is defined by long coats, smart jeans e.g. wide-leg, and sweaters for a throwback look.
• Soft Boy Aesthetic focuses on oversized jumpers, jeans, trainers, and highlights a comfortable relaxed fit.
• Athleisure is where sporty and stylish meet. It’s gym wear with style.
• Downtown Boy Aesthetic priorities black and dark greys with accessories like jewellery, crossbody bags, and sunglasses.
• European Chic is defined by smart jackets and coats speaking a sophisticated style language.
• Clean Guy Aesthetic boasts a colour palette of light to neutral colours, focuses on good skincare routines, and living a healthy lifestyle.
• Modern Minimalism focuses on minimal accessories, a lighter colour palette, and highlighting clean lines.
• ‘90s Grunge Aesthetic consists of dark clothing, ripped jeans, and highlights a cool darker vibe.
• Y2K Aesthetic features baggy cargo jeans, dark denim, and graphic shirts.
• Workwear Aesthetic is defined by such fashion pieces as oversized workman jackets, denim dungarees, and building layers with shirts and hoodies.

James Sharp:

Fashion Aesthetic: Style Combination of Vintage Urban Chic, the Soft Boy Aesthetic & Athleisure

Style Analysis:

James has a style combination of Vintage Urban Chic, Soft Boy Aesthetic, and Athleisure. He can pull off vintage knitted jumpers well with striped patterns and adds his own unique flair to such looks. Interesting hoodies with geometric shapes as well as fluffy hoodies, cashmere jumpers, and black Dr. Martens give him the cosy Vintage Urban Chic vibe.

But sometimes James opts for a more Soft Boy Aesthetic with his bear backpack named ‘Tibbers’, long denim shorts, flat Converse trainers, and fluffy hair. Alongside light and patterned co-ordinated suits, (occasionally with ties) which he’s often seen wearing during live performances back in the group’s Made in Korea days. This gave him a softer look.

However, with his preference for darker clothes, especially in a more athletic style, James edges towards workout wear like gym-friendly sweatshirts, black t-shirts, puffer jackets, and gilets. The cap and hoodie is a combination he oftens sports on his livestreams. Of course, headphones are the essential accessory for each member of dearALICE, but particularly James when he’s making beats on-the-go!

James’s accessories include often sporting headgear from cool bucket hats to cosy beanies, trendy caps, and even furry headbands. But if you truly want to steal James’s style then dark nail polish in either black or silver is the way to go. And of course, a teddy bear backpack is the number one James Sharp essential. An added bonus is having flawless silky hair just like James!

Three Words to Describe James’s Style:

Unique, Cosy & Charming.

Best Looks:

Fault Magazine & “Drums” Music Video: Look 01.

Dexter Greenwood:

Fashion Aesthetic: Style Combination of The Downtown Boy & European Chic Aesthetics

Style Analysis:

As mentioned in my previous articles, Dexter Greenwood is the fashionista of dearALICE. His style is defined as being classy with an urban twist. Dexter opts for darker clothing under the Downtown Boy Aesthetic but also dresses with a little European Chic considering his preference for soft cardigans and cosy scarves. The stylish fashionista of the group always looks smart and is arguably the most consistent in his dress sense.

Sometimes Dexter prefers to add a little pop of colour but balances this out well by mixing with darker colours. For example, pairing a yellow hoodie with a black pinstripe blazer gives a more layered mix of colour. To suit his tall frame, Dexter looks best in straight leg trousers or wide leg which creates an overall more solid silhouette.

Yet flannel shirts, stripey sweatshirts, and neat kagoule jackets keep his style consistently smart. With his broad shoulders, denim jackets create smooth lines to the wide-leg jeans almost completing the look to give a more cohesive symmetrical outline.

Similar to Reese, Dexter suits different styles well but looks best with darker colours as the main look with a little pop of colour to balance out. Dexter has an extremely consistent style and generates trendy look after trendy look, whilst looking classy all at the same time. That’s why he’s the fashionista of the group!

Beanies are Dexter’s best accessory, especially when they give a slight hint of his natural curls underneath. One of the best aspects about his looks are the fact Dexter seems to know his style very well. Belts, bandanas, and sunglasses add depth to his outfit choices. And we can’t forget, he’s often sporting an Arsenal shirt to show off the London vibes. His tall figure gives a very clear silhouette, and he could easily be a model. Of course, his sunshine smile adds the biggest accessory to his look.

Three Words to Describe Dexter’s Style:

Volume, Flair & Sophistication.

Best Looks:

“Ariana” Music Video: Look 01, Imagine Magazine & SoKollab London (not pictured).

Olly Quinn:

Fashion Aesthetic: Style Combination of The Clean Guy, The Modern Minimalism & The Soft Boy Aesthetics

Style Analysis:

Competing for the fashionista role of the group alongside Dexter, Olly Quinn’s fashion aesthetic is a combination of the Clean Guy, Modern Minimalism, and the Soft Boy Aesthetics. The talented performer often chooses simple solid colours. But simplicity is the main word here. Utilising simplicity over details makes his style effortlessly chic. Less is more when it comes to analysing the details of Olly’s style. His minimalist approach means he doesn’t need many additional accessories. Jewellery pieces are his signature statement, and they add just enough to his outfits to naturally balance out the more solid colours of his look.

Like Dexter, Olly knows his style well and consistently remains smart. Olly often opts for layers – wearing vest tops under flannel shirts and chooses either hoodies or leather jackets to match with his smart jeans. Along with plain white shirts and black shirts are essential items that heavily define his fashion aesthetic.

But the best aspect of Olly’s fashion is his fancy footwear. Olly ditches trainers for either black shiny leather shoes or black combat boots, which both suit him really well. His playful personality means he can also be seen wearing funky sunglasses and cool monkey hats.

Three Words to Describe Olly’s Style:

Classic, Effortless, & Chic.

Best Looks:

Esquire Korea Photoshoot & SMTown L.A.

Reese Carter:

Fashion Aesthetic: Style Combination of the ‘90s Grunge Aesthetic & Y2K Streetwear

Style Analysis:

The talented all-rounder (excels in dance, singing, and performance) of dearALICE, Reese Carter can literally wear anything a stylist tells him to, and he will look good. He’s like a fashion mannequin with his slim dancer build which creates very clear lines. Reese has a combination of Y2K Aesthetic alongside his main style being the ‘90s Grunge Aesthetic. His fashion sense is reminiscent of the ‘90s and early noughties boybands styles seen on the likes of the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC.

Reese often opts for darker jackets paired with cargo trousers to adhere to this ‘90s Grunge look. Black, darker greys like charcoal, and deeper green shades like olive green are some of his best colours. Similar to Olly, Reese often wears vest tops underneath jackets to create layers. But at other times Reese opts for lighter colours too. This just shows he can pull off contrasting aesthetics very well. Yet Reese is not defined by just one style. The combination of aesthetics means he can wear different styles well and suit various looks. Varsity jackets, and light-coloured hoodies give nods to his Y2K Streetwear Aesthetic yet bomber jackets and his love for dark baggy cargo jeans with chain accessories gives vibes to his ‘90s Grunge Aesthetic.

One of the best aspects about Reese’s fashion sense is that he makes the look work for him whether it’s adapting a certain style or swapping out pieces. He pairs his looks with some accessories including thick chain bracelets and silver necklaces. Reese also prefers dark trainers like Converse, a dark backpack, headphones and of course, we can’t forget his love for chocolate frappes. But most of all, Reese is very authentic and consistently stays true to himself and his style.

Three Words to Describe Reese’s Style:

Trendy, Fresh & Authentic.

Best Looks:

“Ariana” Music Video: Look 01 & SMTown Seoul: Day 01.

Blaise Noon:

Fashion Aesthetic: Style Combination of the Workwear Aesthetic & Athleisure

Style Analysis:

The maknae of the group (youngest), Blaise Noon wears a combination of the Workwear Aesthetic and Athleisure. One of the main aspects of Blaise’s style is layers where he often wears hoodies underneath jackets. But knitted jumpers, and cool sweatshirts also suit him really well to give warm, comfortable, and cosy vibes. His style is both strong in the Athleisure with his sporty jackets and comfortable gym wear to his Workwear Aesthetic which frames his rugged silhouette.

Blaise’s preference for cropped shirts, denim jackets, Timberland boots, and baggy trousers with belt accessories definitely allude to the Workwear Aesthetic. But he also clearly loves denim too. From the introduction video for BBC’s Made in Korea with Blaise’s denim dungarees to dearALICE’s Esquire Magazine photoshoot. Of course, we can’t forget his iconic light-blue double-denim look for SMTown Seoul Day 2 which are all outfits which give nods back to his love for styling out denim. Navy is arguably one of Blaise’s best colours and emulates a masculine style along with his preference for camo trousers and plain shirts.

But Blaise also opts for sporty styles like training jackets, trendy baseball caps, white headphones, and sporty trainers. He really accentuates his style through adding accessories which span from studded belts, keyring belt charms, and headphones to silver chain necklaces, and stud earrings. But of course, as the ACEZ (fans) will tell you, we cannot forget to add in Blaise’s iconic clear-framed glasses which really suit his features. Blaise can easily rock both the sporty and laidback look to alluding an athletic and ‘cosy and warm’ vibe.

Three Words to Describe Blaise’s Style:

Bold, Sporty, & Modern.

Best Looks:

“Ariana” Music Video: Look 01 & SMTown Seoul: Day 01.

Let us know which dearALICE member’s style is your favourite. Who will you be taking fashion inspiration from? You can read about the group’s early training days in our series of reviews for BBC’s Made in Korea: The K-pop Experience here.