Style Rider: Wolf Alice Requires Good Socks

Photo by James Grant

Wolf Alice has been courting quite a bit of hype since releasing their debut EP Blush back in 2013, but they deserve so much more—and they’ll surely get it when their anticipated full-length finally drops. The London quartet has the rare ability to make both lovely, melodic piano-tinged ballads and ferocious, frenzied rock with fuzzy guitars and ragey lyrics. It says lot about the young band’s talent, but even more so about the adaptable and adept vocals of frontlady Ellie Rowsell. You can tell what a force the 22-year-old is just by listening to bangers like “Moaning Lisa Smile” and “Your Love’s Whore,” but it comes across even more so on stage.

Don’t let that sweet floral sundress up top fool you. When she’s performing, Rowsell looks the part of a hard-rocking Riot Grrrl, sticking with Doc Martens, ripped tights, and lots and lots of black—all the better to headbang to. The dudes in the band are equally well-dressed, but there’s only so much you can say about skinny jeans and leather jackets apart from, “They sure dress like band dudes!”

Besides, when Wolf Alice takes the stage, you won’t be looking at anything other than than the bombshell with the electric guitar screaming lyrics about how your love’s a whore. You’ll see for yourself when they come through New York and Los Angeles later this month.

Here’s what Rowsell will be packing when she comes your way.

[Please note, this is not Roswell's butt, but you can buy these on ASOS]

“I love them! They come in fancy colors, they're comfy but they're smarter than trackies or leggings.”

“In the festival season, Joel and I got stuck in to the festy hair craze and tried to get something woven in to our locks at every show. We both had crusty feathers that had to be pulled out with pliers.”

“Smells good, reminds you of home, an alternative shower! I like Black XS by Paco Robanne.”

“it's a Wolf Alice rule that socks are a very important part of your outfit. If you feel too ugs to dress up in something fancy but you don't want to be boring, a good pair of socks solves your problems and transforms your day.”

“If you're feeling weary it's sometimes hard to get pumped for a show. If you wack on something glittery you feel a bit more special and more at home on the stage. You can just keep a pot in your pocket if you don't have space for a million sparkly dresses or suits in your suitcase and throw it over your and your band mates heads.”