The NBA All-Star Style Summary
The most trend-obsessed league spends All-Star in the snow
Hi friends and strangers,
Another edition of NBA All-Star weekend has come and gone, along with the now requisite, “it’s too cold” Twitter complaints whenever the festivities head to a city not in the South (grow up and get a jacket). I have been to six (LA, Orlando, Houston, New Orleans, New York, Toronto) All-Star weekends and while I never regretted the trip. However, now that I’m approximately LeBron James’ age (hearing him make jokes about his age was equal parts endearing and made me want to up my retinol percentage), I am less inclined to go unless I have a specific project, client or honestly - a nice little cheque. Being able to cheer on friends, colleagues and mildly parasocial relationships through social media is a blessing when you’re on a self-employed budget in the middle of February.
Now, Indianapolis may not seem like a glamorous choice to many but it is in a state renowned for its love of basketball. When I first watched Parks & Recreation, which takes place in Indiana - I could not get over all the basketball references - including their succinct read of basketball fashion thanks to Rent A Swag.
From my couch in Brooklyn, this didn’t appear to be the most fashion-heavy All-Star (I think New York still owns that title, which included the NBA Fashion Show which was….something). There was still plenty to discuss, dissect and obsess over.
On-Court Aesthetics
Let’s start with the on-court highlights or rather literally actual lights thanks to the LED floor. Perhaps I’m showing my age, but the LED floor felt a little too Tron for my taste for regular gameplay. However, for All-Star Saturday night, which is the true marquee event (anyone who watches the game on Sunday expecting a real competition probably also bet way too much money on the Pro Bowl). It felt like the most exciting thing ever for an NBA-obsessed pre-teen who loves video games, so it makes sense for that specific market. I hope we don’t see it outside of All-Star since quite honestly, I don’t think my ADHD can’t take it (nor the crew who work at the arenas where multiple teams share the space).
The All-Star uniforms were some of my favourite in recent memory. Jordan Brand designed the Sunday night game uniforms for the seventh straight year which was also a return to the East vs. West format. The wine red and navy blue jerseys featured subtle pinstripes influenced by the retro Pacers’ jerseys without looking too busy thanks to the tonal colorway. The cream details read more champagne gold for an elevated look that gave just enough shine to the details. Other touches including racing-inspired stripes on the main logo and down the shorts.
The warm-ups were popular on social media continuing the pinstripe theme but more akin to the Indiana Hoosiers’ iconic candy stripe warm-up attire. Despite all the players wearing matching warm-ups, it was fun to see how differently the players styled their required fits.
Shai and Devin Booker both made the pieces look like their own with their signature styling touches. Others like Luka Dončić went fully buttoned up and had some feeling like he belonged behind a bowling shoe counter or at a discount sneaker store (it doesn’t help that the warm-ups had a slight bowling shoe vibe.
The NBA is often heralded as the most stylish league, partially thanks to all the personality the players can show in their tunnel entrances and on the bench. I remember when I first started blogging about NBA style back in 2007 - I had to screen grab and scour Twitter, and later DM jump into team photographer’s messages to beg for tunnel shots. We’ve reached a point of almost over-saturation, where some players will say they have no stylist while secretly employing one or hiring personal shoppers. Others will take a cheque over their style, and some stick to their brand deals. All-Star is extra interesting as it becomes a time to showcase as wild as they want to get.
Over the weekend, I found it interesting to see how the on-court energy and trends are trickling down to individual style. Here’s a few.
Peacocking
I discussed peacocking as a term for players who dress for attention first, and style second when I was on ESPN’s NBA Red Carpet show. Tyrese Haliburton is quite possibly the most peacocking player I’ve seen in a long time. I could write a thesis (and likely will, or maybe a TikTok rant) on how confounding I find his style. It’s fascinating that for a player who is putting up All-Star numbers consistently - he is equally inconsistent off the court. Being a Pacer he was effectively playing host this weekend and his style continued to mystify. I should say that he is 23 - and I find a lot of NBA players often don’t settle into their sense of personal style until around 25 (often after their first rookie contract expires). Given that he is young, I can understand wanting to try different eras and looks but it seems like he still is figuring out what silhouette works on him, and what styles he likes - but I’m not seeing a big accounting for taste.
Hali seems very inspired by the 80s, ‘90s and 2000’s (I think he’d look great in more 70’s cut suits and brands like YSL as they would work with his shape, and facial hair as well as open up some very cool eyewear options) and for Friday’s Rising Stars and Celebrity game, he wore a Jeff Hamilton NBA x ADA jacket with a white hoodie, chunky eyewear, a yellow Louis Vuitton belt and jeans that had to be a reference to Michael Jordan’s iconically awful denim (it was Jordan’s birthday on Saturday night). It felt like an attempt to pay homage or update a look from a different era - instead, it felt more dated sitcom character.
For Sunday’s marquee game, he went with a navy and cerulean blue Prada double-breasted shearling-panel wool overcoat (sold out, all black version is still available for $5025) over a white dress shirt, black tie, faded blue slim denim and almond toe black boots along with his signature glasses and a giant cognac collared Hermes bag. Now, I’m a big Prada fan too (I would probably wash Miuccia in gratitude feet like in that overpriced, weird mid-journey adjacent Jesus ad) but this was not it. I love that he wants to take risks, but styling Prada is a skill issue. Also: why is he mixing so many different kinds of attire that do not go together? If you’re going to mix a dress wool fashion with a capital F coat with more casual pieces - why not mix seasonally appropriate textiles, like a cream knit sweater or turtleneck (he could have one with Raf Simons, co-creative director of Prada there) and slim wool trouser or get super into the Pradaverse and wear some neoprene with a square toe boot that would fare well in the snow. If you’re going to go vaguely equestrian-inspired with the boots - pick a different Hermes bag and some better denim. I’m all for experimentation and interesting textiles, the coat itself is not bad - I love a muppet fashion moment! But this act of pairing individual pieces that do not fit well or work together for attention is starting to wear thin.
Personalized Style
One of the most fashion-focused and stylish players is Canadian, and I can’t tell you how much that warms my heart (even if he’s not my client!). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (aka SGA) is a great example of a player who has a specific point of view when it comes to getting dressed. While it may not be to other people’s tastes - he has silhouettes, brands and an aesthetic that you can pick out of a line-up and that’s a rare thing for such a young player - let alone a veteran in the league.
I love the above video of Shai breaking down his look, mixing the 1-of-1 Virgil Abloh tribute jacket by Gruppo Vava (previously seen on fellow Torontonian Drake) with Chrome Hearts pants, Balenciaga boots alongside a Walmart du-rag with pins from Amazon and Tiffany and Co.
Even Shai’s in-game gear was incredible. He wore a pair of the Converse All-Star BB Trilliant CX “What The” custom-knit sneakers made by Dark Phil Knight. I respect the curation and the energy Shai takes to his looks, even if personally all the layers would make me sweat!
All Business
One of the interesting things about All-Star weekend fashion is seeing how NBA players who are maybe not known for their style, choose to step up in a way that is much more formal.
Luka came in a two-button grey suit (it could have fit better) with a statement-making wool overcoat that elevated his whole look along with the Ray Ban glasses.
Jalen Brunson came in what looked to be a made-to-measure dark navy, window pane double-breasted suit with a white shirt and no tie and loafers that felt like a whole new level for Brunson, who is leading the Knicks on the floor but isn’t necessity the first that comes to mind from a sartorial perspective (we usually see him in sweats, denim and more understated, NY casual attire on gameday). It was nice to see them both rise to the occasion and elevate for the audience.
Comfort Over Cost
There’s been some talk that the NBA All-Star game should be more competitive - but isn’t it meant to be a break and a showcase? While it was the highest-scoring game we’ve seen, most players understood that the assignment was to show up and have fun - not go hard in the paint. This energy was reflected in some of the players’ wardrobes.
For example, LeBron James, now the elder statesman, was a true company man and wore a Nike sweatsuit (and a Louis Vuitton by Pharrell Williams Speedy 50 Boundouliere Damier Pop Bag - $3550 - which is no surprise given he’s in a recent ad campaign for the brand). Superstar in the making, and arguably the next face of the NBA Anthony Edwards went with his endorser, Adidas gear for Sunday night.
Meanwhile, Damian Lillard (the rightful game MVP, please be real Indiana) wore a more elevated comfy look wearing a John Geiger olive sweatsuit and orange flannel jacket (Lillard has been wearing a ton of statement jackets lately - this is another great one) and a Louis Vuitton duffle bag. These colors look great on him, especially with the gold accessories (Tissot watch) and while it may not be a super flashy All-Star look - it seems just his style.
There are so many more highlights and style moments from All-Star weekend, but that’s all I can muster for now! In the meantime, let me know what you think and as always, please share and subscribe.
Stay safe and stay true,
Megan
@shegotgame
PS. Be sure to follow along on Twitter and Instagram for more and check out my website at MeganAnnWilson.com.