Black Men Kick Off Summer In Suits
Summer is here and as the temperature rise, one would expect for the layers to come off. The summer/summer 2019 trends would have you think so. At the Dries Van Noten, Jacquemus and Prada SS19 collection presentations male models took to the runways showing a little thigh, making eyes pop out in thigh-high shorts. Man cleavage-friendly tanks and open collar shirts are the tops of the season and sandals with sneaker detailing are the new kicks on fire. As we come out of the weekend that welcomed summertime and all of its “it’s getting hot in here” glory, black men are doing quite the opposite of disrobing, the fellas are getting their dapper on dressing up in suits.
Luckily for the black men who keep their eyes peeled on the runway and abreast of the latest fashion trends suiting, as hot as it might be to be fully dressed in a blazer and a pair of slacks, is right on trend along with men's pum-pum shorts. We tackled the summer suit in our spring 2019 issue of KOLOR Man two ways. First our Rep Your Set editorial with 2 piece sets from Mr. Turk, Krammer & Stoudt and Canali and second, dissecting former President Barack Obama’s personal style. Here’s an excerpt from that article:
“There's no question that black and brown fellas love to "get dressed" just as much as our woman do. If you were born and raised in the black church, or have parents or grandparents who'd done so, you know what "Sunday's best" is (clothes designated specifically for attending church) and for men that was a suit. However, the relationship between black men and suits is rocky. In the 1940s when fashion trends derived exclusively from Europe and World War II government rationings funneled all of its resources, including textiles, into supporting the military, men wore naked suits. Gone were lapels, cuffs, pleats, pocket flaps, and super relaxed fits; the look was plain jackets and slim legged trousers, but in minority communities, a new style was bubbling up."
During Paris Fashion Week, BET Awards and the NBA Awards besuited black men wearing fresh interpretations of their Sunday’s best held it down as the most stylish men on the scene. The colors, styling and tailoring may of varied but the collective impact of seeing so many black men wearing suits was a style phenomenon. To celebrate we’re recapping the best suit looks on black men that kicked off this summer.
SINQUA WALLS IN GUCCI
The logomania trend continues to show no signs of slowing down in terms of popularity. Revived thanks to streetwear’s influence on high fashion most logo all over looks tend to be casual. Former Power actor and current star on BET’s original series American Soul, Sinqua Walls took the trend back to its luxury roots in a logo Gucci suit for the 2019 BET Awards. Styled by Apuje Kalu, Walls added Gucci shoes and jewelry from Grey Yüna. in an Instagram post from Kalu, who also styled Trevor Jackson and Ne-Yo for the BET Awards, had this to say about Gucci, “I appreciate brands who address their mistakes beyond an apology but through measurable actions. Gucci has done just that and I’m happy to be working with the brand.”
MIGOS IN ALBA & ZANA BAYNE
Hip-Hop group Migos hit the BET Award blue carpet in summer appropriate hues. Styled by Zoe Costello, who’s also the fashion editor at Flaunt Magazine, their monochromatic custom suits came from Alba with custom Zana Bayne harnesses. That night the trio won top prize in the Best Group category.
BLUEFACE IN FENDI
“Fendi prints on” aren’t only for Nicki Minaj. New rapper Blueface bust down at his first BET Awards wearing a lot of jewels (including 2 watches), spiked black loafers and a zucca print Fendi suit.
JACOB LATIMORE IN GREYSCALE
Feeling blue but looking brand new. The Chi actor Jacob Latimore wore a custom Greyscale suit and white Givenchy sneakers to the BET Awards. The suit color, appropriately called “Nipsey Blue” by the brand said, “@jacoblatimore from @shothechi sizzled on the @betawardsblue carpet donning a custom @grayscaleic 90s inspired Suit with the cut and color blocking,” in a caption on instagram. Latimore’s look was styled by Bryon Javar.
LOU WILLIAMS IN GREYSCALE
Shooting guard for the Los Angeles Clippers Lou Williams also stepped out in Greyscale. Williams accepted his Sixth Man of the Year award for the third year in a row at the NBA Awards in a, “custom Olive Green Grayscale notch lapel suit,” according to the brand. The look was styled by Keyana Franklin.
NIGEL SYLVESTER IN SSS WORLD CORP
Professional BMX Biker Nigel Sylvester took on Paris Fashion Week in a suit from SSS World Corp. Sylvester jumped into his modeling bag walking in a few shows during the menswear shows including SSS World Corp and Casablanca where he modeled a blue pinstripe suit down the runway.
SERGE IBAKA IN THOM BROWNE
Serge Ibaka, power forward for the Toronto Raptors wore one of Thom Browne’s signature kilt suits to the Thom Browne Spring 2020 show.
JOHN LEGEND IN BURBERRY
John Legend was all smiles on the BET Awards blue carpet in a full Burberry look.
P.J. TUCKER IN VALENTINO
P.J. Tucker debuts several different suit looks during summer’s kickoff week. Our favorite was the orange Valentino suit that he sported during Paris Fashion Week to attend the Maison Valentino show. Tucker, who plays basketball for the Houston Rockets also wore suits to the Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2020 show and the NBA awards.
KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE IN RICHFRESH
Stylist J. Bolin dressed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope from the Lakers and his wife McKenzie Caldwell-Pope for the NBA Awards in matching Richfresh outfits. Kentavious’ suit is the most fun of this round up with a blue and orange track stripes on the back of the blazer and down the legs of the pants. The final result was a successful way to modernize and personalize white suiting without loosing the clean and crisp feeling one desire while wearing head to toe white.