And the award for the most stylish Beatle goes to...

Among Beatles fans and according to Fab Four folklore, if you had to categorise the personality of each band member,  John was the 'clever one', Paul was the 'cute one', George was the 'spiritual one' and Ringo was the 'funny one'. But who was the most stylish? 

When it came to style status, John was head and shoulders above the other three. There are literally no pictures of John Lennon badly dressed. None. You could argue that unlike his contemporaries and the other three Beatles - this was because he missed the pitfalls of being a middle-aged popstar in the 80s. (Alas, we shall never know.) 

But what was it about Lennon's style that was so different to the other three Beatles? Brian Epstein may have directed them in their early years away from leather jackets and greased back hair, to the matching suits and mop tops for which they are so famous, but of the four of them, in his personal life, Lennon was the Beatle who was a true style chameleon. From clean-shaven, suited and booted 60s mod, to round glassed, hirsute, psychedelic hippy - and everything in between. He had a knack of putting together an outfit with just the right accessories and making it look...so cool. 

Ahead of what would have been his 80th birthday, here are ten photos attesting to John Lennon's fashion icon status. Happy 80th birthday to the 'stylish one'.

1 White Stripes.

John adds a rocky edge to a pinstripe suit jacket.

2 Wearing his heart on his sleeve.

The hair, the glasses, the denim jacket, the paisley shirt -the peace proclamation on his sleeve!  This look is so modern, it's hard to believe this picture was taken over forty years ago. I'd put money on this picture still looking fresh in another forty years. 

3 Rock 'n' Roll.

Three words: Yves. Saint. Laurent.

4 Beatnik chic.

How to wear a black polo neck without looking like Mark Wright or the Milk Tray Man. John Lennon gives a masterclass in how to style that most tricky to wear of men's jumper trends. And matches it to his wife without looking twee.

5 John Lennon even makes dungarees look cool.

Remember when they put Marilyn Monroe in a potato sack and said 'Marilyn can even make a sack look sexy'? This is the John Lennon/overalls/cool equivalent.

6 Beige is not boring.

John Lennon proves his monochromatic game is on point: his beige jacket/shirt combo works as the perfect light background to highlight his quirky accessories - those iconic sunglasses and the rainbow friendship bracelet.

7 Baker boy hat.

John Lennon and the Beatles were doing baker boy hats years before Beckham and his tribe cottoned on to the look. 

8 Pyjama party.

Even after having laid in bed for two weeks for their famous honeymoon/political statement 'bed in', John (and Yoko) looked immaculate in white matching pyjamas. They not only matched eachother, but also blended with the bedsheets, curtains, walls. And of course, the 'purity' of their peace message. A masterclass in couples bed dressing. 

9 The Henley and the fake fur.

A thin cotton t-shirt and a shaggy black coat. John Lennon does Kate Moss chic before she even walked the earth.

10 The 50s movie star trunks.

Overdressed for the pool party? Didn't bother John! Oh, and those boots.