Brazilian footballer Edson Arantes do Nascimento, more commonly known as Pelé, has never been recognized as a style icon, but to us – in the 1950s – he was a sartorial legend in the making. Modeling outlandish sportswear off the pitch was considered quite radical and – with a nod to his position on the pitch – pretty trendy (thank goodness).
In fact, Pelé-inspired sportswear has been dominating the runway lately. Just look at the Casablanca and Wales-Bonner collections to see retro zip-up tops, tracksuits and vintage-looking shoes. If you’re going to do it, do it right and go completely head to toe. It will earn you the best style points in the fashion arena.
An Aloha shirt is always a winner
If any two people can maintain a level of thoughtfulness while modeling shirts adorned with tropical palm trees and bamboo prints, it’s Clift Montgomery, who blazed a trail for exotic designs in the 1953 film. From here to eternityand Sidney Poitier, who popularized it on film Lilies of the Fieldfor which he won an Academy Award.
Inspired by the native Hawaiian Aloha shirts (which servicemen wore when they returned from the island after World War II) vibrantly printed menswear became a staple of menswear in the early 60s, helped – of course – by Elvis Presley, who wore one to idol perfection. on his album cover, Blue Hawaii. Even today, they are a key reference for brands such as Gucci, Valentino and Saint Laurent, who have sent iterations down the runway over the past decade.
When an article is as declarative as this one, it’s best to go below. Take a note from Poitier’s book and wear it with wide leg white pants so it really sings.
Put the folded pants on the shelf
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