Image via Complex Original
The Miami Heat may have lost their 27-game run on Wednesday, but tonight, they can start the journey to 33 all over again. Though, there is one winning streak still going: LeBron James' personal style. Yes, we said it. The NBA champion has improved his wardrobe over the years and is now one of the most stylish guys in the league. That won't break any records, but it still deserves some sort of recognition. Besides, it's hard for someone who's 6"8 and 250 lbs. to find things that fit and actually look good. So, without further ado, here is LeBron James' Style History.
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young lebron
Where: Childhood photo
Where: 1990
Complex says: Before Givenchy T-Shirts, thousand dollar suits, and a championship little Bron Bron wore printed cardigans a la Bill Cosby and had his ear pierced. And this teal turtleneck.
highschool
Where: High school
When: 2001
Complex says: The face of greatness.
prom
Where: High School Prom
When: 2003
Complex says: Classic prom picture. Is that a shiny suit we see?
draft
Where: 2003 NBA Draft at the Paramount Theatre in New York City
When: June 26, 2003
Complex says: This day changed LeBron's life and the league, accordingly. His all white suit didn't actually fit him properly, but thank god he eventually learned the wonders of tailoring.
mtv trl
Where: MTV Times Square Studios in New York City
When: June 18, 2003
Complex says: Look, a young LeBron James. He was just drafted and still wore football jerseys and really, really long dog tags...
espy awards
Where: 2003 ESPY Awards
When: July 16, 2003
Complex says: The suit is still a work in progress, but he did get to meet Dr. J. and had Jamie Foxx dedicate a song to him.
2004 espy
Where: 2004 ESPY Awards
When: July 14, 2004
Complex says: This baby blue suit deserves a post on its own. Thank you Bron Bron for giving us this memory because it's equally hilarious, awesome, and terrible at the same time. Plus, the pink button down shirt underneath...
espn summer fun
Where: ESPN The Magazine Presents Summer Fun 2006
When: July 11, 2006
Complex says: Did he get his dates mixed up? St. Patrick's Day is in March.
espys 2007
Where: 2007 ESPY Awards
When: July 11, 2007
Complex says: The sweater isn't bad, but we have to pass on the tee.
2007 espys
Where: 2007 ESPY Awards
When: July 11, 2007
Complex says: Was this planned? Did LeBron borrow Jimmy Kimmel's stylist, or vice versa?
2008 all-star
Where: 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend
When: February 16, 2008
Complex says: You can't go wrong with a great trench coat. If you're LeBron, you pop your collar for extra emphasis.
vogue
Where: Vogue's April 2008 issue
When: April 2008
Complex says: Unfortunately, Bronny's first fashion mag cover is known for the bad things instead of the good. The Vogue spread with Gisele Bündchen was supposed to be praised for featuring a black man on the cover for the first time. Instead, the controversial image was chastised for perpetuating racial stereotypes.
katsuya restaurant
Where: Hollywood
When: May 30, 2008
Complex says: Let's file this under the things that should stay in 2008.
mtv video music awards
Where: 2008 MTV Video Music Awards
When: August 28, 2008
Complex says: Paying respect to Bob Marley, and reminding you who's king.
ralph lauren
Where: Ralph Lauren in New York City
When: September 10, 2008
Complex says: LBJ killing it in the plaid suit!
ralph lauren show
Where: Ralph Lauren Spring 2009 show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
When: September 12, 2008
Complex says: He's all about that purple.
penn state
Where: Ohio Stadium
When: October 25, 2008
Complex says: LeBron could be doing one of two things here: Dancing, or telling everyone not to get too close because he's wearing so much white.
2009 nba all star
Where: 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend
When: February 14, 2009
Complex says: The lion is there to keep reminding you who's king.
2009 bet awards
Where: 2009 BET Awards
When: June 28, 2009
Complex says: Congrats on the Best Male Athlete award and all, but this outfit should have never happened.
club myhouse
Where: club MyHouse
When: July 2009
Complex says: King James: part preppy, part street.
gucci
Where: New York City
When: September 16, 2009
Complex says: The cardigan is a nice touch to his monochrome look. It also doesn't hurt that he's got Savannah with him.
last chance for change concert
Where: "Last Chance for Change" concert in Cleveland, Ohio
When: October 28, 2009
Complex says: We understand he was going for the military look, but that is a whooole lot of leather.
all black
Where: Jay-Z Madison Square Garden Concert After Party at the 40/40 Club
When: March 2010
Complex says: We get the sense he related to Jay-Z when he rapped, "I might wear black for a year straight."
gq sept 2010
Where: GQ's September 2010 issue
When: September 2010
Complex says: Non-chalantly killing all #menswear dudes around the world.
40/40 club
Where: 40/40 Club in New York City
When: September 13, 2010
Complex says: LeBron is a fair guy. Occasionally, he wears T-Shirts with other people's faces or photos on it, too. He wore this tee in honor of Jay-Z's Home and Home concert series with Eminem.
announcement
Where: The Decision on ESPN
When: July 8, 2010
Complex says: LeBron announced his move to the Miami Heat wearing this gingham shirt. Which means it will forever be remembered (and hated) by Cleveland Cavalier fans. They're probably cringing right now. Heat fans, on the other hand, are laughing their way to possibly another championship.
miami heat welcome party
Where: American Airliens Arena
When: July 9, 2010
Complex says: Dwyane Wade didn't get the memo?
prime italian restaurant
Where: Miami
When: November 2, 2010
Complex says: He's a little shocked he wore this, too. It's okay, we all make mistakes.
nike destroyer
Where: Cleveland's Quicken Loans Arena
When: December 2010
Complex says: When you're LeBron James you get special things like this custom Nike Destroyer jacket. The rest of us can only dream of this one of one piece.
26th birthday
Where: Miami
When: December 30, 2010
Complex says: LeBron celebrated his 26th birthday wearing the limited edition Gommi Arcade x Sabit “S.T.A.R. Academy ” varsity jacket. Of course, you get to wear whatever the hell you want on your birthday, but that button up shirt and tie doesn't quite work here.
press conf nba finals 2011
Where: American Airlines Arena
When: June 2, 2011
Complex says: It was Easter over in Miami.
fashion week
Where: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
When: September 12, 2011
Complex says: Mr. James attended Michael Bastian's Men's Spring 2012 fashion show wearing Bastian head-to-toe. He kills it in the two-buttoned sweater, khakis, and chukka boots.
another shirt with his face on it
Where: Nickelodoen's "Day of Play"
When: September 2011
Complex says: Different day, different T-Shirt with his own photo on it.
2011 nba all-star red carpet
Where: T-Mobile Magenta Carpet at the 2011 NBA All-Star Game
When: February 20, 2011
Complex says: The big three dressed to the nines.
nye
Where: New Year's Eve
When: December 31, 2012
Complex says: Bron Bron was real festive at New Year's Eve, also known as the day he proposed to longtime girlfriend Savannah. Check out his plaid pants. We'll assume the holidays just got to him.
bench
Where: Philip Arena in Atlanta
When: January 5, 2012
Complex says: LeBron didn't play against the Atlanta Hawks, but even on his days off he doesn't take a day off, style-wise anyway. Clap for him.
2012 all-star
Where: 2012 NBA All-Star Weekend
When: February 25, 2012
Complex says: Teammates and friends LeBron James and Dwyane Wade sat courtside and watched the Skills Challenge during the 2012 NBA All-Star Weekend. Of course, Bron Bron couldn't wear just any old denim jacket—his needed leather sleeves.
mvp award
Where: Miami
When: March 2012
Complex says: Bron Bron not only accepted his third MVP award on this day, he did it rocking a pair of on-trend blue pants. His son was definitely saying, "Dad I want to be like you when I grow up."
chris bosh birthday
Where: Chris Bosh's birthday party in Miami
When: March 27, 2012
Complex says: Take note of LBJ's outfit. If you're planning to wear that much color, it's a good idea to break it up with a neutral shirt.
nab finals press conf
Where: American Airlines Arena
When: June 17, 2012
Complex says: LeBron, taking inquiries about his suit and tie look. Just kidding. He was answering questions during a post game press conference after the Heat beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the 2012 NBA Finals.
celebrate ring
Where: Miami
When: June 21, 2012
Complex says: So, you just won an NBA championship. What do you do now? Pop bottles at Miami's LIV Nightclub, rack up a $200,000 bar tab, and wear a T-Shirt with your own face on it. When you're a champ you can do whatever the hell you want.
david letterman
Where: Late Show with David Letterman
When: June 2012
Complex says: "Salute my championship ring and my ability to wear any color I want to."
olympics
Where: 2012 London Olympics Opening Ceremony
When: July 27, 2012
Complex says: Bron Bron was at the Olympics, in London, wearing a Ralph Lauren-designed uniform. Where's your patriotism, guys?
london
Where: London
When: July 31, 2012
Complex says: ...James has plenty of patriotism. Check out his patriotic cozy boy style.
givenchy shark
Where: Compound Nightclub in Atlanta
When: October 2012
Complex says: Givenchy's Shark sweater was quite possibly one of the most hyped about items of clothing that year. Of course, LBJ had to get on it.
SI sportsman of the year award
Where: Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year Award presentation
When: December 5, 2012
Complex says: A suit that actually fits, and the Sportsman of the Year award? YES to all of this.
white house
Where: The White House
When: January 28, 2013
Complex says: You'd better bring your A-game if you're meeting the President (no denim overalls, please). LeBron's gingham shirt and polka dot tie were nice touches.
marcelo burlon
Where: NCAA basketball game watching the Miami Hurricanes and the North Carolina Tar Heels
When: February 9, 2013
Complex says: LeBron and his teammates Dwyane Wade and James Jones sat courtside at the Hurricanes and Tar Heels game early February. Check out his Marcelo Burlon tee.
givenchy
Where: Toronto
When: March 18, 2013
Complex says: He wore this Givenchy sweater just before the Miami Heat beat the Toronto Raptors and extended their winning streak to 22 games. All in all, it's been a great few weeks for Bron Bron.