Decadente

Decadente
 

“Lo encontraron en abril, elegante y decadente en su traje desharrapado, mojado hasta los huesos, incapaz de decir una palabra, en Sheppey, una isla del sur de Gran Bretaña.”

The sentence above was taken from a story about a very mysterious man who plays the piano quite well.

Is it possible to be 'elegant' and 'decadent' at the same time? Can 'decadente' ever mean 'stylish', and if so why would 'desharrapado' be included?
Thanks in advance.

Decadente = caduco
yes, elegant but old-fashioned why not?

Some stately things can be tattered but elegant nevertheless. In English the term faded glory describes it.

@fglorca: "Decadente" makes sense because despite the gala suit, he was all wet and slovenly. It doesn't complement "elegante", but makes a sarcastic statement about his appearance.