Fashion has to reflect who you are, what you feel at the moment, and where you’re going. It doesn’t have to be bright, doesn’t have to be loud. Just has to be you. -Pharrell Williams
Ok Pharrell, I’m ‘Happy’ that you’ve decided to release a music video for one of my favorite singles off your new album. For those of you who haven’t heard ‘Marilyn Monroe’, it’s another hit that will naturally guide you to the closest dance floor. But everyone knows that I’m not here to talk solely about music videos…I’m here to talk about the music mogul’s impact on the world of fashion as a menswear icon.
Here are my 5 takeaways from Pharrell Williams:
- Take something “ugly” and make it work for you—His freakin’ Smokey Bear hat! It’s so ugly but for some reason he has made it work, and in turn, it has become a global phenomenon. In his current video, he pulls it out in a handful of vibrant colors. First there’s fuchsia. Then it appears in turquoise. Then in red. Oh, then there’s a tan one with holes on the side? And of course the black is a staple.
- Don’t take clothes too seriously— That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t care about how you look and present yourself. This means you should be looking natural in what you’re wearing. You may have spent hours picking out your outfit and getting ready, but it shouldn’t come off that way. It’s ok to have a little wrinkle and roll up those sleeves once in a while. When you’re comfortable in what you’re wearing, you exude a sense of confidence that is often more attractive than fitting into something society is telling you to fit into.
- Express yourself– It’s no secret that Pharrell has some pretty outlandish duds that 90% of us guys couldn’t/shouldn’t wear…and that’s because he dresses to represent himself and his own style. What you wear should be an extension of YOU and your personality. The key here is to have a balance between self-expression and looking refined. First impressions are huge…what are you telling the world?
- Don’t be afraid of color– With spring officially here, take some pointers from Pharrell and incorporate some color into your wardrobe. It’s a great way to transition from your darker winter apparel and kickstart the spring season.
- Age is no longer an excuse to stop caring about your appearance– Pharrell is 41 years old…yeah…crazy.
Fun fact: His infamous hat is actually vintage Vivienne Westwood, from her 1982-83 Autumn/Winter collection. The English designer is largely responsible for bringing modern punk and new wave fashions into the mainstream.
(photos: GQ)
