Some lessons in style from the NBA’s best players, and how we can hope to replicate them
Over the past few days at the NBA All-Star events, we’ve seen some pretty great style on display, both on and off the court and as usual, the most talented basketball players on the planet have shown themselves to be pretty dapper men too.
As for us regular JOEs, there are a few lessons we can learn from the likes of LeBron James (recently featured on the cover of GQ thanks to his style) and Russell Westbrook, all of whom were in attendance to show off their style. As pointed out by the aforementioned bible of style that is GQ, James Harden has been spotted wearing serious designer brands like Christian Louboutin and Versace, which are out of the reach of most of us ordinary folk, but we can still pick and choose a few looks to emulate, and much of what these designers send to the catwalk will influence what ends up in the high street stores.
The point is that you can always look smart, and the price tag doesn’t need to mean that you can’t inject some serious style into your wardrobe. With thanks to our mates at Littlewoods Ireland, we take a look at how you can throw together a similar look but on a budget that’s much friendlier on your wallet.
Start off with a solid blazer, which will not only keep you warm but allow you to layer up to achieve an effortlessly smart style. We’ve opted for a herringbone jacket (€62), as it can be matched with jeans to also have that casual edge.
You can stay smart on the top half with this French Connection formal shirt (€52), which will work well with a skinny tie thanks to the button down collar, which contrasts the simplicity and causal roots of an Oxford shirt with the classic style of a skinny tie.
On the bottom, you can go a bit more relaxed, and while a few of the lads at the NBA festivities this weekend were wearing camouflage, we’ve opted for some classic dark jeans (€45), which you can match with these smart two-tone brogues from Clarks (€104). Add in a few accessories like a belt or a nice tie and your outfit is complete.
Of course, you don’t necessarily have to be as flamboyant as someone like James Harden and copy everything he does, like this Versace silk shirt which he wore to the Slam Dunk contest.
We think we’ve seen that shirt somewhere before…
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