CLEVELAND, Ohio - No one is demonstrating the shift into cleaner, more fitted styles in menswear than the Cleveland Cavaliers. Led by LeBron James, the Cavs reveal some unexpected trends as they arrive at their road games during the playoffs. They're wearing matching gray, made-to measure suits and accessories by designer Thom Browne and they look as unified as a team can be.
The Cavs debuted the coordinated look by the New York City based, American fashion designer as they arrived at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for the Friday, April 20 game against the Indiana Pacers. The behind-the-scenes trek from the team bus to the locker room has become a high-energy concrete catwalk of the NBA's most fashionable.
According to a press release, the team plans to wear the look on the road during the playoffs.
The Cavs team and Coach Tyronn Lue donned some combination of the Thom Browne look including his signature gray Super 120's twill suit with a white oxford shirt, gray tie, 4-Bar Cashmere Cardigan, Chesterfield Overcoat, sunglasses, black pebble grain leather brogue boots and the Mr. Thom Bag, a structured travel bag retailing for as much as $41,000.
In a press release Browne says, "...this initiative with the Cavaliers is a cultural statement that speaks to the confidence and power of uniformity...LeBron and each one of his teammates is a true individual...and this individuality is heightened by the confidence they show in representing this unique, strong, singular message."
The look is strong, the style, on-point. The trends we can't help but notice are the super slim cut trousers with very high, ankle revealing cuffed hems. High-waters are back in a big way. The single-breasted sport coats are also uber-fitted and short, almost looking a size or two too small. The cropped length and shorter sleeves remind us of a classic boy's prep school uniform, in the best way.
The trends we're seeing here are indicative of what's in this spring but perhaps not to this extreme for the average guy. Look for suits in colors beyond the traditional charcoal, navy and brown. Tailoring is more important than ever with fitted styles and shorter slacks and sport coats. Look for the unexpected in footwear, like Browne's boots or classic brogues and loafers with no socks. Ties, pocket squares and other accessories add individual style. Suits aren't just for the office anymore. Men can show their unique style through every aspect of the look.
Each of the Cavs spiffed up the ensemble their own way doing several different things to the sleeves and pocket squares. But for the most part, this team has taken team effort to new and fashionable heights.
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