Perfect Harmony

TheSymbiotic RelationshipBetween Basketball&Fashion

The realm of sports offers a unique avenue to broadcast plenty of notable aspects of pop culture.

Because of the constant attention and media offered to this country’s star athletes, it is not uncommon for topics such as music, footwear and even attitudes towards life to become massively influential to the rest of the world. Nowhere is this more noticeable than the National Basketball Association. Basketball, being globally reported as the third most popular sport in the world, places its emphasis on larger than life superstars who embody athleticism and determinati -on on the court as well as style and charisma off the court.

These facts alone make it no coincidence that the fashion industry and basketball have found such a mutually collaborative relationship that impacts the foundation of both businesses.

Now fashion among athletes is not a discussion solely applicable to NBA stars. The likes of Deion Sanders, former NFL star, and soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo highlight just a few examples of how impactful fashion is in other athletic fields as well. However it is fair to say with basketball’s emphasis on the individual and deeper connection to the urban culture of America, it has always held the most stand out figures when it comes to clothing.

This relationship can be traced all the way back to 1970’s superstar Walt Frazier who could be considered a pioneer for bringing a style so clearly influenced by the era he played in. Heavy fur lined coats, suits lined with every color on the spectrum, and a sleek fedora on every fit.

Playing for the New York Knicks, his appearance perfectly symbolized the “Dapper Dan” era of New York fashion that is now so heavily associated with the decade. The sport became an immediate representation of intense competitive rivalry but also elegant, well groomed ebony class.

Fast-forward to the late 1990s & early 2000’s and you see basketball’s most well known influence on modern day fashion. The “baggy era.” A time where the outfits represented by some of the most financially affluent individuals of our country were associated with urban culture more so than the professional subtly the public was used to.

Gone were the days of tailored suits and loafers which were instead traded in for denim 3x the right size and jewelry decorating head to toe. It was a style so noticeable and heavily penetrated all aspects of culture even outside of the sports world. The clothing told a wordless story about the roots of our favorite athletes, the culture they came from and what it is they represent. They were no longer there to just play a sport and collect a check, but to stand out as cultural influencers who direct the viewing audience on what’s cool or not.

This time in basketball became so recognizable, I’m certain there’s a few images that immediately pop in your mind whenever it’s mentioned. It also offered breakthroughs in many of the polarizing aspects of men’s fashion including braided hairstyles, tattoos and jewelry which are now commonplace.

And although league rules would eventually change to prevent this “unprofessional” method of self expression from continuing, the effect on the culture had already been made. Now no matter your level of competition, sports puts a spotlight on looking as good as you play. This evolution of professional attire and basketball has had multiple variants all unique in their own right. The “skinny” era of the early 2010’s became a distorted reflection of its early 2000’s counterpart wherein all clothing was tailored almost too closely. The “sophisticated-casual” style of players opting to add glasses to every piece of button down apparel they wore. And other configurations that aren’t as easily defined but just as expressive. Players have no longer become conformists to the rule books of wealthy clothing, but symbols for what the new trends will be. Figures like Russell Westbrook, Kyle Kuzma and Shai Gilgeous Alexander have been pushing the envelope for years as to what is defined as edgy designer fashion or a soon to be embarrassing passing fad. However, their platform initiates immediate uproar and inspiration to those whose eyes are glued to the ever present attachment between the evocative chaotic world of basketball and the abstract uncontained world of clothing.

Grillz occupy a very odd yet prominent spot in the historic makeup of urban fashion. They have gone through multiple shifts that give a snapshot into the general state of culture at that period of time. What in one era could be viewed as the pinnacle of wealth and a flashy accessory to style could also be deemed as a tacky novelty in another. However you view them, they have definitely become a mainstay that still offer something in the way we view and express ourselves through the glorified luxury of jewelry.

Their subtle return to our wardrobe is just the most recent interaction with its main origins dating back to the 1980’s New York fashion scene. Most identified with rappers, it became a symbol of wealth and the all too common jewelry studded style synonymous with the era. Some of the biggest figures in urban fashion culture could be found with smiles traced with gold making it more appealing for everyone involved. So just like that, a status indicator for those in the music world leaked into everyday wear with people adding the unique appearance offered by grillz to their own style. This new introduction to the masses led to future evolution of grillz themselves. Going from simplistic gold fronts to different variations such as fangs or even some having words transcribed across them. Whether performing at the biggest concerts in the country or just going clubbing on a Saturday night with your friends, these dazzled dentures could be found with anyone attempting to make a statement.