What Brothers Are Really Wearing - fashion for African American men - Brief Article

WHAT motivates a Brother to dress well? There Are many correct answers, but perhaps the Truest is simply a Black man's desire to use his clothes to make a statement about who he is and what he's all about, to have a Sister or a Brother say to him that he looks good, that he's "clean."

Whether it is a fluidly draped suit of the Black professionals or the baggy jeans of the hip-hop avant-garde, Black men have loved to dress well, and have always had the unique ability to make practically anything look good. Brothers are meticulous about the details of dressing--the shine on the shoes, the tuck of the handkerchief, the crease in the pants. Because as any student of fashion knows, it's not what a man wears, but how he wears it. The science of dressing is in the details. It's all in the details.

The '90s have been marked by styles that are as different as individuals. Some men wear open shirts; some wear Armani suits; some are never seen without a tie; and some never wear a tie. The following pages break new ground by showing you what Brothers celebrity and otherwise, are really wearing.

Donning on eight-button, double-breasted, chestnut-colored suit, SHAQUILLE O'NEAL epitomizes style. The 27-year-old NBA superstar completes his outfit with a satin-wrapped derby, diamond-studded earring and, of course, a ring emblazoned with the Superman emblem. Meanwhile, record label chief RUSSELL. SIMMONS (right) chooses a more sporty look.

Urban cowboy WILL SMITH is creating o new style with his show-stopping linen ensemble, complete with a wide-brimmed hat, while music mogul QUINCY JONES prefers the '30s cool look of a black and gray pinstriped suit, accented with a burgundy tie and handkerchief.

Bursting out with his own unique fashion statement, rapper BUSTA RHYMES (with singer Mary J. Blige) sports a sleeveless, button-up halter top with matching bandanna. Who said "flip mode" wasn't fashionable? And who said Kangols were out of fashion? Academy Award-winning actor SAMUEL L. JACKSON (with wife LaTanya) has brought the historic Kangol brims back into the spotlight. Meanwhile, around-the-way kind of guy LL COOL J (left) recently traded in his baseball cap for a clean-shaven look. When he's not wearing street gear, however, the 30-year-old actor and rap legend silk and leather. Actor/comedian STEVE HARVEY (right) epitomizes style in his multitude of colorful outfits and ties.

Formal wear means many things to many people. Olympian CARL LEWIS (left, with sister, Carol) wears a pinstriped tuxedo, while boxing champ MUHAMMAD ALI (with wife, Lonnie) sports a black-on-black look. Former boxing champs (below, l. to r.) MICHAEL SPINKS and JOE FRAZIER choose more traditional tuxedos as they flank boxing promoter BUTCH LEWIS, who wears a flashy polka dot vest and bow tie. Meanwhile, music mogul KENNETH (BABYFACE) EDMONDS (with wife, Tracey) dons more relaxed evening wear for a formal dinner at the While House. SIDNEY WILLIAMS (below), former ambassador to the Bahamas (with wife, Rep. Maxine Waters), chooses a more traditional tuxedo al a While House dinner.

Topping it off, Brothers have come up with unique head gear to complete their outfits. Legendary singer-turned-radio-DJ ISAAC HAYES goes African, while actor MARIO VAN PEEBLES chooses a hat of the island variety. Meanwhile, basketball star/actor RICK FOX (with entertainer Vanessa L. Williams) prefers the classy look of a linen sport coat and simple white shirt.