Bruce Springsteen has long communicated style, through his music, obviously, but also through his clothing.

So we're taking things back to the early days. His stardom earned him the nickname “The Boss” in the mid-1970s when Born To Run was released, but, frankly, that song needed a fashion flair to match and we all know the singer has never shied away from a statement look.

So today, as Springsteen celebrates his 71st birthday (and another year of inherent coolness), we've travelled right back to the days that birthed this unwavering fashion icon.

Cue the style lessons…

Go sleeveless

First things first: sleeves.

Springsteen is the master of letting them go, taking most of his iconic checked shirts and tearing off the arms, DIY style.

It's a big yes from us.

Not only was it a practical way for him to dress for a warmer weather forecast (or, more likely, an energetic concert), but it also communicated the most carefree look possible.

Paired with some distressed jeans and, of course, a bandana wrapped round his head, the sleeveless finish served as his ultimate style statement.  

You need a buckle belt

If your trademark look is total Westernwear, it's highly likely you've got a fair few buckle belts sitting in your wardrobe.

Springsteen certainly has and he's long used them as a central focus for a more relaxed outfit. Case in point: the image above, where his stellar silver belt sat in between a black corduroy shirt and dark, straight-cut jeans.

This is a brilliant reference if you're wanting to make a subtle nod to the cowboy – make sure your shirt is unbuttoned for insouciance and tuck it into your jeans to show off that mega accessory.

Head-to-toe black is a fail-safe

Springsteen has never been afraid of a bold ensemble, but he also knows how to make the simple ones look incredibly cool.

His favoured classic look? It's got to be head-to-toe black.

Pictured here during his American tour in 1978, he proved the power of the most classic shade, styling a generously unbuttoned (to say the least) black shirt with skinny black jeans and a single-breasted black blazer.

A smart style move in our eyes, as its effect was effortless and also highlighted his colourful companion: a Fender Telecaster. 

Add a vest to your wardrobe, stat

Sure, Harry Styles might have been advocating the vest this year (and as a result, we have too), but there's one man who was selling it long before: Bruce Springsteen.

Back in the Seventies – the decade of countless style statements – the rock star oozed confidence in this exposing white number. The colder seasons might be on their way, but this is a mainstay in menswear: style it under a billowing blue shirt for a weather-appropriate take.

For the best current option, turn your attention to Dior.

A knitted scarf is a must for winter

Sounds simple enough, but knitted scarfs aren't just about practicality. They're a finishing touch, a way to inject sophistication and fun into an otherwise utilitarian outfit.

All you need to do is take a leaf from Springsteen's book – layer a slim scarf (go for some colour; we're into the orange hint here) through the collar of your shirt and then tuck it into a battered biker jacket.

A bit of elegance goes a long way and we can bet that he was feeling more fit for a cold day too.

As is a ribbed knitted T-shirt, for that matter

Springsteen's style mantra is an obvious one: the tighter the clothing the better.

Makes sense, then, that his short-sleeve knitwear was clingy too, but we're all for it.

We're not denying that slouchy jumpers look great, but there's a coolness in opting for pieces that just fit to the natural form (especially when they're in a colour such as grape).

Make sure your accompanying denim jeans are cut straight.

If you're feeling extra bold: maybe emulate the headband.

Always expose your collar

Al Pacino may have set the cuban collar statement with Scarface in 1984, but Springsteen was light years (well, three years) ahead of him. Performing at Wembley Arena in 1981, he stepped on stage looking, literally, sharp.

A white shark collared shirt was layered over a boxy tweed blazer, slim black jeans and some brown Western boots (bold buckle included).

The top tip to take is simple: embrace some sartorial nonchalance through an unbuttoned shirt and exposed collar.

Keep it out, always.

You need a bandana

If you thought double denim was a statement, try topping it off with a bandana.

Springsteen was synonymous with the scarf accessory, most often used as a headband and always clad in red.

Here he opted for the necktie edition, the perfect finish to his effortless denim shirt (roll your sleeves up and keep it slightly unbuttoned for maximum effect).

We see your white vest there too, Bruce – strong starting layer.

The time to invest in a vest is back and the trend is bigger than ever right now. Style it under a jean-centred look or a sharp cream suit if you dare.

Summer dressing done right.

And a newsboy cap

Ever the fan of those all important finishing touches, in 1977 Springsteen opted to top off his look with a newsboy cap.

It boded well with the rest of his attire: hip-hugging jeans, a striped T-shirt (cropped just the right amount) and a little leather jacket with an eye-catching collar.

His look had taken a bit more of a rugged turn at this point, with a longer mop of hair, his flat hat sealed the oh so cool deal that he brought to Alex Cooley's Electric Ballroom in Atlanta.

The head accessory has recently resurged thanks to the popularity of Peaky Blinders, but, frankly, it's a timeless essential to your wardrobe.

Style it like Springsteen.

Keep the shirts unbuttoned

If you're opting to style a shirt with heartwarming connotations, why not take it one step further? AKA: undo a few more buttons? Springsteen has long mastered this blasé approach to loose shirting and, frankly, we're all for it.

Alongside some slim black jeans and silver accessories (it's time to start wearing an earring again, FYI), this is the uniform of a serious musician.

To re-create, scale up on the size of your shirt a tad, expose some chest and, ideally, strum a few charming chords on a guitar.

Top it off with a leather jacket

We'll say this time and time again. Leather. Always. Works.

Living proof of that? Springsteen, for who the inherently cool material has long served as a go-to style companion.

We're rather fond of his design choice here: appearing less like a mega motorcycle jacket and more like a laid-back shirt, it communicates the act of not overly caring (even though you're intent on dressing well).

Black jeans, a white T-shirt and a straight-cut leather jacket with rolled-up sleeves... it's a smart approach to style and one that isn't likely to fade any time soon.

A white T-shirt never goes out of style

It's been a wardrobe mainstay among all our favourite stars, Bruce Springsteen included.

There's an endless enduring quality to the most basic piece in our wardrobes, the white T-shirt, and that's mostly because it can be framed around pretty much any outfit.

Opting for a suit? Base it with a white tee. Going to the beach? Style your swim shorts with a white tee. You get the idea.

Springsteen has basically lived by that style sentiment and here he tucked his tee into some high-waisted cargo-esque trousers before finishing the look with some oversized shades.

His top tip? Keep it simple at centre and have some fun with your surrounding pieces.

Oh, and don't forget a cap – the sun's on its way out.

Don't be afraid of the denim

Bruce Springsjean.

Not his official name, we know, but if there was another nickname to give him other than “The Boss”, this would be it.

Why? Because time after time, Springsteen proved the power of rocking a classic pair of denim jeans.

As a rock'n'roll musician with a Western soul, it was in his nature, plain and simple.

How someone could take such a wardrobe staple and turn it into an eternally cool part of their uniform is beyond us, but 40 years later, he's still doing it.

We advise you take a styling tip from this 1994 concert in Los Angeles and keep the sartorial confidence flowing by tying your boots up over your jeans.

We're heading to the Levis's store as we speak.