Image via Complex Original
Whether you're a diehard fan or absolutely can't stand Drake, you can't deny he's one of the hottest rappers out right now. While he may not have as much pull in the fashion industry as other rappers, to discount his personal style would be a huge mistake. From his early days as a child actor to his current phase of rocking brands like Hood by Air and En Noir, we took a look at how his style has changed over time. Examining how Drake went from young up-and-comer to the hip-hop icon he is today, we compared his current clothing choices to his past outfits, only to find that much like the title of his upcoming album, Nothing Was The Same. Here are The 15 Stages of Drake's Style.
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1. The "Aubrey" Stage
Era Of Prominence: 1986-2000
Started from the bottom right? From an early age Drake was rocking polka dot sweatshirts, plaid vests, and sideways lavender hats with coordinating T-shirts. And who could forget his memorable outfit from the "HYFR" video? Perhaps style was always in his genes?
2. The "DeGrassi" Stage
Era Of Prominence: 2001-2004
Drake's Degrassi days used to get brought up often, but it's clear that his current success far outweighs his past gig. His style on the show looked like every other kid transitioning from tween to teen, and seeing Drake come of age in front of the camera is eerie but at the same time it's nice to know that he didn't always wear Versace or En Noir. He's just like us.
3. The "Wheelchair Jimmy" Stage
Era Of Prominence: 2004-2007
Drake finished off his last few seasons of Degrassi in a wheelchair, which would come back and haunt him as the "Wheelchair Drake meme" a few years later. He took it all in stride though, as a self-aware Drake debuted the "Wheelchair Jimmy Dance" at a California show last year.
4. The "Room for Improvement" Stage
Era Of Prominence: 2006-2008
Drake started to shed his teenage years and adopt a more grown-up look as he transitioned from child actor to rapper. His love for warm clothing was foreshadowed by his outerwear game. One of the most popular photos of Drake that circulated in his early rap days had him rocking a shawl-collar peacoat with the collar popped. He also wore toggle coats and donned shades on the regular—something we'd see later in his career.
5. The "So Far Gone" Stage
Era Of Prominence: 2009
When Drake dropped So Far Gone, his star began to rise higher than ever. His style followed suit, not only rocking covetable kicks like Jordans and Yeezys, but also designer gear from Comme des Garcons PLAY. He also started to appear in ads for streetwear brands like LRG.
6. The "Suited Up" Stage
Era Of Prominence: 2009-2011
Like his own version of the Rosewood Movement, Drake really knew how to rock a suit well. He liked to even get a little experimental and throw a black button-down underneath or even rock unorthodox colors like burgundy. He can keep it classic when he needs to, and when he stunts in a charcoal grey suit and white button-down, no one can touch him.
7. The "Thank Me Later" Stage
Era Of Prominence: 2010
Following the release of his first album, Drake stepped out into the spotlight wearing an array of sneakers, streetwear, and hardy boots from brands like Yuketen. He embraced patterns like camo, foreshadowing his later predilection for prints like leopard, and the world got its first glimpse of the October's Very Own brand in the form of a custom Roots varsity jacket.
8. The "Cozy Canadian Tuxedo" Stage
Era Of Prominence: 2011
Drake was being literal in "Say What's Real" when he spit: "When Stefano Pilati suits are your night clothes / And Jordan sweat suits are your flight clothes." You already know he cleans up well in a suit, but his casual game was all about comfort for a time. He wasn't afraid to step out in coordinating sweats, and even turned it up in a velour Versace track suit.
9. The "OVO" Stage
Era Of Prominence: Fall 2011-Summer 2012
Drake went about launching his OVO line in a smart way. As he told us in this interview:
"I want people to be a part of our movement, I just want it to be right. And everybody else wants me to make it with the cheaper fabric and put it in Macy’s and ‘Oh don't worry we will make 100 million in the first year.’ Naw, fuck you, because that's not what we are about. I'm not ready for OVO to be that. Because OVO is still something I represent."
From limited distribution to high-quality products like a leather Canada Goose jacket with 24K gold accessories, it's evident that motto hasn't changed.
10. The "Knit Wit' It" Stage
Era Of Prominence: Fall 2011
Drake's love of sweaters has got him a lot of flack, but you can't fault the Canadian for wanting gear that keeps him warm. It's cold up there, after all. From cardigans to shawl-collar crewnecks to magenta cable knits to designer interpretations from Missoni, Drake embraced them all with open arms, and didn't care what the haters had to say. In fact, he said he'd like to collaborate with Missoni if they're down.
11. The "Champagne Papi" Stage
Era Of Prominence: 2011-2012
Perhaps influenced by Miami, Drake took to dressing like pseudo-drug overlord during certain appearances and videos. The look was characterized by shades, an open silk patterned shirt, and details like velvet slippers, a Cuban link necklace, and accessories like pinky rings and bracelets.
12. The "Rare Outerwear" Stage
Era Of Prominence: Late 2011-2012
Drake's outerwear game has always been consistent, but here's when he stunted in it. From limited-edition North Face jackets from Supreme and his own OVO x Canada Goose Chilliwack parka and luxurious bombers from Rick Owens, he also showed an appreciation of the classics, rocking Patagonia down jackets and a Synchilla Snap-T. Way to rep Patagucci, Drizzy.
13. The "Batter Up" Stage
Era Of Prominence: Late 2011-Early 2012
For a time Drake rocked athletic gloves with practically everything. From batting gloves to football gloves, it seemed like Drake was aiming to start a new trend. Or maybe he just wanted to get a more secure grip on the mic?
14. The "No New Brands" Stage
Era Of Prominence: Spring 2012
Drake started rocking a mix of established streetwear and high-fashion brands like Supreme, Jil Sander, and Marcelo Burlon for a time, mixing in other high-end designers like Balmain for good measure.
15. The "Girls Love a Street Goth" Stage
Era Of Prominence: Early 2013
As of late, Drake's readily embraced the street goth aesthetic. He's been spotted in everything from bright red leather pants from En Noir to black screenprinted tees from Hood By Air. Of course, he keeps it real and mixes in some of his own signature style choices, like OVO gear, covetable Jordans, and gold chains.