At least eight hours of sleep, a plate of pasta, fresh braids, and a look that’s reflective of his mood and penchant for luxury-meets-casual style. They’re all part of Boston Celtic Jaylen Brown’s game-day preparation. “I like to dress up and down at the same time, if that makes sense,” Brown told Vanity Fair ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. “So, it’s like you take something luxury—a nice piece that makes [your outfit] look formal—and then wear some sweatpants with it.”
By Shawn Clarke, Medulla Media Company
Born and raised in Atlanta, where he says fashion “has always been a thing,” Brown’s personal style further developed as a student athlete at the University of California, Berkeley. “I’d see somebody wearing an Alexander McQueen skirt, but then [they’d] have on a regular crew neck or a hoodie, with dress shoes and high socks or something. To me, that was dope.”
Brown’s Game 7 look struck the balance of understated and elevated he’s drawn to: a Realtakai shirt, wool Prince of Wales check pants by Prada, a Gucci denim jacket, and Virón World vegan leather boots. (Nike x Louis Vuitton Air Force 1s had been in the running.) “I wanted to be comfortable so the idea for today’s look was to keep it clean,” he says. “Nothing too over the top; something that was smooth and said, ‘We’ve been here before.’”
By Shawn Clarke, Medulla Media Company
The six-foot-six shooting guard and small forward’s wardrobe is a mix of pieces he’s bought from shops like Dover Street Market, and others sourced by stylist Jason Bolden. “Jason is a great collaborator,” Brown said. “He understands my vibe and what I’m going for when we work together, so everything lends itself naturally to my personal style.” Lately, that style has leaned less on jewelry and watches, which are signatures for many NBA players. “I haven’t bought jewelry in over two years,” he said. “I love the aesthetic of it, but I just personally haven’t worn jewelry in a long time…. For whatever reason, I just got into a habit of trying to let my clothes speak for themselves.”
Some of the clothes Brown is often spotted in are from his own brand, 7uice, which he launched in late 2021. “My jersey would always be sold out,” he explained of the inspiration behind the label. “My fans would always be complaining, like, ‘Where can I find your jersey? It’s not available anywhere in Boston…it’s always sold out, it’s not at the arena.’ I gave away all the ones that I personally had, so I just decided to start a brand to feel more connected to my friends and family.” What began with a simple black hoodie has since expanded into a full sportswear line, inclusive of tees, sweats, beanies, and varsity jackets. “Now it [has] a cult following,” Brown said. “You go to the game, you’ll see all over the arena, people wearing the brand.”