Image via Complex Original
Empire has taken TV by storm in barely three months. The melodramatic, pseudo-Shakespearean saga of the musically-inclined Lyon family, complete with undeniably catchy songs, backstabbing and betrayal, and weird sex has become appointment television. You're washed if you're not live-tweeting it each Wednesday night or at the very least, prepared to discuss that crazy thing Cookie did on Thursday morning. But original music isn't the only production aspect that help's Empire's claim to relevance.
With a setting based in the contemporary music industry, specifically hip-hop (although just how contemporary is up for debate), fashion and steez is an equal highlight. Particularly the youngest cub in the Lyon family, spoiled brat slash buzzing mainstream rapper Hakeem takes the style cues of Tyga, Migos and 2 Chainz to a gaudy new level. And of course, fan-favorite Cookie has the alphets to match her ratchet swagger. Now that season one is wrapped, take a break from discussing the finale's twists and cliffhangers and let's reflect on all the style highlights, from swaggy to smh.
Win: Lucious and his amazing conk with the floral blazer.
Episode: Pilot
Is it a coincidence that the only episode that finds Lucious Lyon gliding above normcore executive levels is the same sole episode that features him going for broke with the slicked back perm? Answer: No. That's a ridiculously over-the-top blazer worthy of someone running a company called Empire.
Win: When Cookie came fresh out the oven looking like wealth.
Episode: Pilot
It was basically a given that Cookie was destined to be the country's new favorite character when she made her grand entrance striding out of jail like it's a damn runway in the most powerful exit-alphet of all time.
Win: Cookie enters the Empire like a street style star.
Episode: Pilot
It was no fluke. Cookie's second look is even stronger than the post-bid fur, with the ill shoulder-coat drape and a fedora that would look silly on anyone else. On one hand, she aptly looks like someone who's damn near two decades behind in fashion. But, she pulls it off so well that she'll be just fine if she never catches up.
Fail: Cousin Bunky's retro steelo with the fat chain.
Episode: Pilot
Honestly, if you turned the show off mid-episode upon seeing a character in 2015 dressed like Rakim meets Run-DMC, we can't even blame you.
Fail: Hakeem dresses the part
Episode: Pilot
For much of the entire season, Hakeem, the prototypical present-day rapper, is styled to dress the part, one of the only aspects in which this show's relationship to the music industry isn't grossly outdated. But even still, most of his fits, in addition to being ridiculous, seem a step too far. And also maybe a year or two behind. Ostentatious shit like these glittery gold kicks seem closer to the peak 2 Chainz era (read: 2012), no?
Win: Of course shit goes down when Cookie's on the elevator
Episode 2: "The Outspoken King"
Cookie's still with the hats and the leopard print, only this time, they match. Wow. Meanwhile the show tries to dress another rapper contemporary style but still anti-Hakeem with Kidd Fo-Fo's (smh) all-black-everything look augmented by a simple gold chain and a respectable enough knock-off snapback (is that supposed to be Celine?).
Win: Special Guest Farmer Cuba Gooding, Jr.
Episode 3: "The Devil Quotes Scripture"
Hey, look, it's Cuba Gooding, Jr! And he's wearing a flannel, because his character self-exiled himself to a farm, ok then!
Undecided: Hakeem's Jackson Pollock tank
Episode 3: "The Devil Quote Scripture"
We can't call it: does this tank look like subway graffiti or is it actually fire?
Win because LOL: Ed Hardy by Lucious Lyon
Episode 3: "The Devil Quotes Scripture"
Flashback Lucious Lyon is infinitely more fresh than present-Lucious off the strength of his supreme durag game alone, but the sight of Terrence Howard in a knock-off Ed Hardy hat is just amazing. Was Ed Hardy even poppin yet around the time most of these flashbacks are set or—nevermind, don't question, just enjoy.
Fail: Titan
Episode 4: "False Imposition"
This is Titan, who in the Empire universe (which, again, is allegedly 2015 and also acknowledges the existence of Drake, Kendrick, and J. Cole) is the most popular rapper out. And he dresses like...LL Cool J meets B-Rabbit. Those Empire writers sure do have their finger on the culture's pulse, don't they!
Win: Cookie takes her steez to another level.
Episode 4: "False Imposition"
What, you thought the only trick up Cookie's sleeve was leopard print?
Win because LOL: Was Lucious flying red colors?
Episode 4: "False Imposition"
Flashback Lucious isn't even fair to his modern, corporate-dressed counterpart at this point. That's a bandana...under a kangol. It's no wonder this dude shot to the top of the rap game.
Win: The "Drip Drop" dress code
Episode 5: "Dangerous Bonds"
Apparently, if you're not shirtless when she "make that thing drip, drop" then you're doing it wrong.
WIN: Cookie bares all
Episode 6: "Out, Damned Spot"
To recap, this is how Cookie showed up to what she wrongly assumed was a date with Lucious...at a public restaurant. We would've dumped Anika right on the spot bruh.
Fail: Hakeem goes All White Everything
Episode 7: "Our Dancing Days"
More Hakeem foolishness, this time with added dropcrotch in the pants for added measure. And with the coat layered over, dude looks like Bond on one of his incognito Alps missions.
Fail: Jamal...
Episode 7: "Our Dancing Days"
Smfh, this is what happens when Jamal tries to stow his swaglessness and get in the game. Shout out to Kobe.
Fail: We'll never forget the Microwave Girls
Episode 7: "Our Dancing Days"
Just a reminder that Hakeem and Jamal's performance of their hilariously awful Dire Straits cover actually featured stage girls wearing microwaves and color TVs on their head. This cannot be forgotten.
Fail: Lucious the Sultan, and Jamal the prince
Episode 8: "The Lyon's Roar"
This is how father and son showed up to the family's annual white party. Apparently the sub-theme this year was Aladdin. Diddy should trademark "white party" to save us from any future indiscretions.
Fail: Andre's shopping spree
Episode 10: "Sins of the Father"
Who knew all Andre had to do was go off his meds to finally gain some sweg of his own?
Win: Flashback Vernon
Episode 10: "Sins of the Father"
And who knew Uncle Vernon had anything in his closet other three-pieces?
Fail: Jamal tries to channel Peak Lucious™ and bricks
Episode 12: "Who I Am"
Here goes your boy Jamal, trying and failing spectacularly again. Why did fam come on-stage in a durag with a super long cape, the first time he's worn one this entire season? Is it because he's performing at the Lucious Lyon tribute and thus trying to channel Pops' style-peak in all of his flashback-caped glory? Welp, just another instance of disappointing his dad; coupled with that sleeveless hoody dog looks like he's headed to karate class instead.
Fail Cubed: The Many Hats of Titan
Episodes 11 and 12: "Die But Once"; "Who I Am"
Lmao, what happened here? This dude went from dressing like Saigon—and also literally unmentioned since episode four—to randomly appearing three times throughout last night's season finale with a hat game whose absurdity increased each time? Is this what happens when you sign to Empire records, fam? Did they not think anybody would notice this?