Image via Complex Original
Lead
Eminem’s career spans almost 20 years and today, October 17, marks the rapper's 39th birthday. From being signed by Dr. Dre, to signing 50 Cent, and currently building a roster of artists which includes Yelawolf and supergroup Slaughterhouse, Eminem's journey is still going strong. We can talk on and on about his 100 best songs and watch his latest BET Hip-Hop Awards cypher appearance, but today we're going to take a look at his evolution of style throughout the years.
He’s had a few signature looks; from blond hair to Jordan brand sweatsuits, du-rags to leather bombers, the real Slim Shady has come a long way in his style choices. Take a look back at some memorable moments in Eminem's Style History.
Alfie
WHERE: Unknown
WHEN: Unknown
Complex Says: Ah, the famous pink Alf T-shirt. This is probably why Tyler, The Creator wears ironic tees all the time.
Bassmint Productions
WHERE: Unknown
WHEN: 1990-1991
Complex Says: With his old Bassmint Productions crew, Em' knew what the deal was when he was rocking one of the '90s greatest trends.
My Name Is
WHERE: "My Name Is" Video
WHEN: 1999
Complex Says: This jumpsuit is kind of fresh, no?
Wedding
WHERE: Wedding Ceremony
WHEN: 1999
Complex Says: Who says you need to wear a tux to a wedding? Eminem's not new to breaking the rules.
1999 VMA's
WHERE: MTV VMA's
WHEN: August 1999
Complex Says: Rocking all-over print, before all-over print blew up.
Record Release
WHERE: Record Release Party
WHEN: 2000
Complex Says: Wearing Ecko Unlimited and Phat Farm. Who knew Em was the original streetwear stan?
American Music Awards
WHERE: American Music Awards
WHEN: November 2000
Complex Says: Even with Funk Flex's loud NASCAR style jacket, Eminem proves a simple white T-shirt will make you stand out.
Shady Army
WHERE: MTV VMAs
WHEN: August 2000
Complex Says: Will the real Slim Shady please stand up? This performance with hundreds of his clones was a huge style moment.
2000 VMA's
WHERE: MTV VMAs
WHEN: August 2000
Complex Says: The sweatsuit might have been a couple sizes too big, but nobody in hip-hop was rocking their true size back then.
2001 Grammys
WHERE: Grammy Awards
WHEN: February 2001
Complex Says: The early 2000s was the time of velour sweatsuits. Looks like Em knew the deal. If you weren't dipped in Sean Jean, Rocawear, or ENYCE sweatsuits, you simply were not doing it.
London Arena
WHERE: London Arena
WHEN: 2001
Complex Says: An outfit referencing Friday the 13th's Jason to match Em's equally brutal lyrics.
Cleaning Out My Closet
WHERE: "Cleaning Out My Closet" Video
WHEN: 2002
Complex Says: The trailer park uniform of a white tank and jeans suited Shady's early style.
Guilty Conscience
WHERE: "Guilty Consience" Video
WHEN: 1999
Complex Says: Em' keeps it fresh with a dope varsity, a classic staple that's still a must-have in any closet.
VMA 2002
WHERE: MTV VMAs
WHEN: September 2002
Complex Says: We can't fault him here—it gets pretty hot on stage with all those lights.
8Mile
WHERE: 8 Mile
WHEN: November 2002
Complex Says: B-Rabbit's look was rugged '90s hip-hop style: a hoodie, cap, Timbs, baggy jeans, and a pair of headphones.
Hip Hop Summit 2003
WHERE: Detroit Hip-Hop Summit
WHEN: November 2003
Complex Says: Em tends to keep it casual with sportswear. This time, he switched it up with a windbreaker.
2003 grammys
WHERE: Grammy Awards
WHEN: February 2003
Complex Says: Jordan sweats (especially in baby blue) and a white du-rag was Eminem's quintessential look for a minute.
Shady National Covention
WHERE: Shady National Convention
WHEN: 2004
Complex Says: This was a rare time we got to see Eminem in a suit, and he didn't forget the pocket square and lapel pin. Thumbs up.
Anger Management Tour
WHERE: Anger Management Tour
WHEN: 2005
Complex Says: A look Em is most known for, a simple sweatsuit get-up.
Shady Bowl
WHERE: Shady Bowl
WHEN: January 2006
Complex Says: Eminem took it back to the '90s with the leg roll, but stayed killin' em with Jordans.
BET Awards 2006
WHERE: BET Awards
WHEN: June 2006
Complex Says: Em self promotes his brand by wearing a shirt from his now defunct clothing line.
2009 MTV VMA
WHERE: MTV VMA's
WHEN: September 2009
Complex Says: Eminem replaced the sweatsuit look for the leather jacket when he came back from his musical hiatus with Relapse.
Motor City Casino
WHERE: Motor City Casino
WHEN: May 2009
Complex Says: Eminem's always rocking trainers. Can't go wrong with a fresh pair of Air Max 95s.
Hip HOp Honors
WHERE: Hip-Hop Honors Awards
WHEN: October 2009
Complex Says: Eminem is the only person we know who rocks a curved brim. You can call him old-fashioned, but at least he has personal style.
Complex Cover
WHERE: Complex Mag Cover
WHEN: Dec 2009/January 2010
Complex Says: Marshall Mathers blesses the cover of our Decemeber 2009/January 2010 Issue and rocks the leather jacket look which suits him well.
2010 BET Awards
WHERE: BET Awards
WHEN: June 2010
Complex Says: During a memorable performance of "Not Afraid", we noticed the dope leather he was rocking.
2010 VMA
WHERE: MTV VMA's
WHEN: September 2010
Complex Says: Looks like he pulled a little bit of inspiration from Rick Owens' collections for this outfit.
2011 Grammys
WHERE: Grammy Awards
WHEN: February 2011
Complex Says: A perfect example on how to wear all-black-everything, still.
Airport
WHERE: Private Airport
WHEN: January 2011
Complex Says: Best of both worlds: Em wears his new go-to uniform, but still rocks his Air Max sneakers.
Complex Digital
WHERE: Complex Digital Cover
WHEN: June 2011
Complex Says: Bad Meets Evil as Eminem and Royce Da 5'9 square off. Who do you think would win in a style match up?