Sartorial secrets of the Rodfather

1964: Rod Stewart and Long John Baldry with Julie Driscoll and Brian Auger in Steampacket

A sharply-dressed Rod, wearing what the magazines are proclaiming to be the crucial item right now - the 7/8th length trousers. And, apparently, wearing his hair backwards Photograph: Dezo Hoffmann/Rex Features

1973: Rod Stewart at the Rainbow Theatre, London

Alas for black and white photography - colour would surely reveal a hideously clashing riot of patterns Photograph: Ilpo Musto/Rex Features

1973: Rod Stewart with his horse, Mia

A positively understated amount of tartan for Rod in his dandy days. And now you know what happened to Mia's mane Photograph: Evening Standard/Getty

1976: Rod Stewart during a Mike Mansfield special

We can only hope that this gold number will be heading to the website very soon Photograph: ITV/Rex Features

1979: Rod Stewart on stage at Olympia in London, on the British leg of his world tour

... and revealing rather more than anyone wanted to see. A look that could single-handedly end this leggings business for another 20 years Photograph: Gary Merrin/Getty

1980s: Still very much in dandy mode, missing only a teddy bear and a spot of croquet Photograph: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

1980: Only a year after Do Ya Think I'm Sexy came out. Answers on a postcard please Photograph: Eugene Adebari/Rex Features

1983: Rod Stewart near his beach house in Malibu

An odd detour into golf club couture. Come back leopard-print Rod Photograph: Henry Diltz/Corbis

2002: Very much the elder statesman of rock, complete with baronial manor Photograph: Richard Saker/Rex Features

Shirt, blazer, jeans and trainers? It'll never catch on Photograph: Myung Jung Kim/Empics/PA