Peter Jackson Beatles Docuseries 'Get Back' is a Fashion Feast for the Eyes

 Like millions of other Beatles fans across the universe, I have just spent three consecutive nights watching Peter Jackson's 8 hour, three part series of the 1969 'Let It Be' sessions -a  paean to what some consider the greatest band ever. It is undoubtedly a love letter to his favourite group. Peter Jackson stated that he would never have involved himself in such a massive undertaking (he reviewed over 60 hours of original director, Michael Lindsay-Hogg's original footage and whittled it down to 8 hours) for any other band. Indeed he stated that the Beatles are the only music he ever listens to. Get Back is an intimate portrait of a band in the twilight days of their career as a group. It is a fascinating historical document even if you don't like the Beatles (although it does 'Help!)

The Beatles during 'Let It Be' recording

'Get Back' is a fascinating watch for any Beatles fan, music fan or lover of the 1960s. I'll admit there were moments when my mind began to wonder, Paul's fortieth rendition of the first line from 'Get Back' as he tries to find a rhyme for 'last, really takes you into the songwriting process and the mind of a master craftsman as he creates a musical masterpiece. Some of the songs we are privy to - John's 'Child of Nature' became 'Jealous Guy' were years in the making - more than 10 in some cases. And the drudgery that can be the process of songwriting when you are both a genius and a perfectionist are clearly apparent - repeating the same line over and over until you get the perfect follow up rhyme sometimes make you want to shout what you now know to be the next line, through the screen.

But one thing that was always a treat was the feast for the eyes that were the Beatles outfits. When it came to the fashion stakes, every Beatle, even the generally more conservative Paul, brought their end-of-the-sixties, fashion A game to the studio. I have already written on how John Lennon is my personal favourite 'Best dressed Beatle'. His outfits were always perfectly conceived and put together, without looking too overstyled. However, in Get Back, it is George Harrison who kicks all his bandmates off the catwalk, with some incredible magenta hued 'fits and a shaggy black coat noughties Kate Moss would die for. Ringo trails behind George mastering 60s loud and funky, John gives off insouciant laid back cool, and Paul wears some cool shoes.

George Harrison looking fly on the roof of Apple Corps

When Brian Epstein first conceived their image back in 1962 - the band went from bad boy greased back hair and leathers, to the matching maharishi neck suits, shirts, ties, cuban heeled boots and of course, the famed mop top hairstyle that we think of when we think of early Beatles fashion. Even when they grew their hair and sported facial hair and beards in their later years, they still sported matching suits for promotional material (such as the famous satin military style suits in garish pinks and oranges worn on the Sgt Peppers album cover.

After Brian Epstein's untimely death however, in August 1967, the Fab Four dropped the matching suits and hair and opted for a look suited more to their individual personalities. As John suggests at one point in the documentary, Brian was the glue that held the four together - without him they seemed somewhat lost at sea, unable to overcome their egos, and unable to put aside their differences in order to unite for the common good. We watch as they descend into petty squabbles as their huge personalities clash, with members vying to be heard over the extraordinary talent in the room. George Harrison entering the studio one morning and quietly mentioning to Paul and John that he'd made up a little tune the night before whilst watching TV felt like a little brother shyly proferring his idea to his big brothers. Except the tune was George's incredible 'I Me My'. That each member was moving in his own direction and each members dissatisfaction in the group dynamic is very apparent as the documentary. The moving in different directions is mirrored in their choice of outfit and individual style, as well as the mental shift going on.

The Beatles as styled by Brian Epstein

In the 'Let It Be' sessions, the Beatles sport some incredible outfits. From a fashion standpoint it's fabulous to see late 60s men's fashions living and breathing on some of the most famous young men of the day in their everyday lives. The clothes and hairstyles all appear strikingly modern - partly a testament to Peter Jackson's incredible remastering of the footage making it look like it was filmed last week and partly to do with the fact that cool vintage fashion never really looks outdated if worn right. Get Back is like a 60s men's runway show with groovy outfit after groovy outfit. Harry Styles probably watched it twice - once for the music, and once to take notes on the great fashion.

The Beatles wives also deserve a mention. Maureen Starkey, Ringo Starr's wife, appears briefly looking like the fourth Ronette with her huge black bouffant, winged black eyeliner. mini skirt and gogo boots combo. A masterclass in 60s fashion chic. Yoko Ono is present throughout the documentary, barely leaving John's side, although she also hardly speaks (wholly contradicting the image Lindsay-Hogg's version of the sessions presents of her as the meddling harridan who broke up the the greatest band of all time.) In Jackson's version, Yoko is all but silent, (it's worth noting however, that she was one of the executive producers on Jackson's version, which may go some way to explaining this image of 'likeable Yoko' here), other than to to join in on vocals while playing around with the band while they are de-stressing between recordings. Yoko pretty much spends the 8 hours sitting around looking cool. Perhaps her best outfit is in Episode 2 where she wears an all black plastic/PVC outfit and wide brimmed black floppy hat. Very New York bohemian late 60s cool.

Yoko Ono playing around between sessions

As mentioned, in these sessions, of the Beatles themselves, it is George who makes the most interesting fashion choices. In the first scene of the first episode he walks in wearing his massive shaggy black Mongolian lamb fur coat over a denim shirt, marrying his love of all things Eastern and mystical with classic American denim. Then on day two he steps into the studio wearing a bubblegum pink turtleneck sweater (he has the same one in Mean Mr Mustard yellow). Perhaps my favourite George look is his Austin Powers baby pink striped flared suit which he tones down by wearing with black converse style tennis shoes and shaggy hair. It's a look. I was always under the impression that the 'battered tennis shoes and suit' combination was a 90s thing, worn by Britpopers and nearly every character at some point in Danny Boyle's 'Trainspotting'. But 'Get Back' has George Harrison sporting the look a whole thirty years earlier. John Lennon wears a similar look, this time with battered white plimpsolls, also in 'Get Back'.

George Harrison in his pink striped suit

At one point in the docuseries, George is sent a delivery of a purple velvet bow tie - very kitsch - he immediately unboxes it and promptly put it on around his neck - under his shirt  - wearing it around his neck like a choker, thus proving that style isn't just the clothes you wear, but how you choose to wear them.

Paul has always had the reputation - somewhat unfairly - of being the least interesting Beatle. The documentary shows he is clearly the most driven and business-minded of the band. Clothing-wise, he wears some interesting pieces - giving off some 'cool dad' vibles. A fluffy orange jumper springs to mind, and a starry black shirt. The midnight blue velvet jacket he wears on the famous concert on the roof scene is a classic. And there's a great pair of 60s brown leather lace ups with a studded detail that he wears throughout. 

Paul in his orange fluffy jumper

As for John Lennon - some have suggested that his 'Let It Be' days were not his strongest sartorially speaking. However, for me, every outfit he wears during the documentary, is a 'look'. His all white outfit  - drainpipe trousers and t-shirt with dirty plimpsols and a waistcoat looks really 'summer of 69' and his rooftop look of round glasses, shaggy fox fur coat (borrowed from Yoko) black poloneck, skinny black jeans and those dirty plimpsols again looks like something Margot Tenenbaum would wear. Along with a plethora of brightly coloured skinny fit long sleeve Henley t-shirts John Lennon's look is probably the most transferable to today. Swap the real fur for faux and I would love to have his wardrobe.

John Lennon on the rooftop of Apple Corps

Lastly, of the Beatles, is Ringo and his many shirts of many colours. From floral pink to paisley to acid green frill fronted to red satin and polka dot, Ringo's selection of shirts is a riot of psychedelic colours - an explosion in a kaleidescope factory. One of the highlights of the series is guessing what colour shirt Ringo will wear next.

Ringo giving Austin Powers a run for his money

When Peter Jackson decided to make his docuseries he clearly never intended to make a fashion film, but when he was granted access to the famed footage from January of 1969 he opened a portal into an incredible time capsule. The 1960s fashion featured in the series is a vintage lover's gold mine and yet also so modern at the same time. Have a watch and be inspired.