Welcome to Thunderous Thoughts, a weekly look at the OKC Thunder. It’s the offseason, so we’re talking Russell Westbrook’s fashion.
Russell Westbrook is releasing style book on Sep. 5, proving that you can’t be an NBA superstar with big time endorsements playing in Oklahoma City.
Or something like that.
Here’s what the publisher, Rizzoli, had to say about the book, “This book is a collection of stylish and inspiring images and text that provide a rare glimpse into Westbrook’s world, revealing how he uses style as a psychological weapon on and off the court and how he has redefined the role of a contemporary athlete turned cultural figure.”
I don’t exactly know what that means or how Westbrook uses his style as a psychological weapon, but I’m not doubting him.
You can buy Russell Westbrook’s style book by Rizzoli publishing for $55. Or you can read “Jeremy Lambert’s Fashion Tips Based on Russell Westbrook’s style” (it’s a working title) by Isles publishing for free.
Tip #1 – Always Do What You Want
The golden rule of Russell Westbrook fashion. Whether you want to keep it casual and wear jeans and a t-shirt or you’re looking to impress with a three-piece suit, wear what you feel comfortable in. Maybe you want to wear a cut up dress shirt with one long sleeve, one short sleeve, swim trunks, leggings, and socks with sandals. Go for it. No one can tell you that it’s not fashionable. They might tell you that you look ridiculous, but so what? People thought it was ridiculous that Russell Westbrook could average a triple double. And then the man averaged a triple double.
Tip #2 – Be Petty
You know your best friend who started to ignore you because he got a girlfriend? He can’t hang out with you because he’s too busy spending all his money on his girlfriend. They’re gonna break up. High school relationships don’t last forever. But he’s blinded by this pretty girl that he forgot who his best friend is. You know that guy? Start taking shots at that guy with your clothes.
He’s an Atlanta Falcons fan? Go buy a custom New England Patriots jersey with the numbers 28-3 and the name Super Bowl 51. He prefers Microsoft to Apple? Get yourself an Apple Genius t-shirt. He likes wearing novelty hats? Dig up Smitty Werbenjagermanjensen and steal his hat. Take whatever he likes and either make it your own or represent the opposite. Make a statement with your fashion. As long as that statement says, “Hey person I don’t like. You suck.”
Tip #3 – When In Doubt, Cut
If you ever look at your outfit and think, “I’m not sure this is fashionable enough,” grab a pair of scissors and start cutting. Make holes, make slits, make it fringe – it doesn’t really matter what you do as long as you put those scissors to work. It’s a proven fact that ripped up clothing is 90 percent more fashionable than regular clothing.
As an added bonus, it adds to the re-sale value. I’m not exactly sure how that works because I’m not smart enough to understand fashion, I just know that the highest priced pair of regular Tommy Hilfiger jeans costs $139. And a pair of ripped Tommy Hilfiger jeans costs $159. So, buy a regular pair, cut them up yourself, return them and make $20.
Tip #4 – Customize
The best way to personalize your style is to personalize your clothes. Have a cool nickname? Put it on a hat or a shirt. Everyone has initials, right? Plaster those initial onto the butt of your pants. Create your own logo to put on your clothes. However you decide to customize, just make sure it’s visual. If your nickname, initials, logo, picture of yourself, etc… isn’t jumping off your clothes and slapping someone in the face, you’re doing it wrong. That’s why writing your name on the inside of your underwear does not constitute customizing.
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Tip #5 – Never Wear All White
Under no circumstances should you ever wear all white. You can have a white top and white pants, but your shoes better have some color in this. You can have a white top, white pants, and white shoes, but you better be wearing a Joseph’s Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with it. This isn’t a “just after Labor Day” rule either. This is “every day you get out of bed” rule. Even if you want to be a ghost for Halloween, find a way to add some color. Put some red around the mouth to represent the blood of a human you just ate. Give your ghost a gold WWE title because when have you ever seen a ghost wear a championship belt? Get creative. Just don’t go all white.
The only time you’re allowed to wear all white is if you’re asked to do it for a photoshoot. Never turn down green for all white.
Tip #6 – Don’t Abuse Prints
I know it can be tempting to wear print after print because who doesn’t love fancy patterns and designs? Prints are great in small amounts of consumption. What you’re really saying if you abuse prints is, “I have no real sense of style. This cut just caught my eye.”
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Prints are like a color book. The hard work is done for you. Someone already made this kick-ass design, you just have to make it pop with color. It’s fun to color, but that doesn’t make you an artist.
Tip #7 – Always Accessorize
Don’t think you’re done just because you put on your shirt, pants and shoes. Make sure you have the dessert to go with the main course. Add a watch, maybe some glasses, a ring or two and a man purse. Sometimes you may need a pair of headphones to complete your look. You never know what accessory you need until you’re fully dressed, but trust me, you need at least one accessory.