When you think of fall in Ohio, fall fashion & football come to mind. The pre-game tunnel has become a bit of a runway. A place where you can really make a statement. Often, players are styled in high-end luxury and designer brands. But you don’t have to have a lot of money to have great style.
DeAndre Hopkins, wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens, is a perfect example of that.
Recently, DeAndre and Kyle Smith (NFL Fashion Editor) went to their local Goodwill. The challenge, find two game day tunnel outfits for under $100 each. This wasn’t really a challenge for DeAndre. He mentioned feeling right at home. He came from humble beginnings and said that he shopped at Goodwill and secondhand stores growing up. When asked how shopping in places like Goodwill growing up informed his personal style, DeAndre answered that it gave him a sense of purpose that he doesn’t have to follow trends. He could be himself. DeAndre also spoke to his younger self, taking pride in the couple of pieces that he had that were worth 10 dollars.
DeAndre and Kyle succeeded in their less-than-$200 game day outfit challenge. Not to mention they stayed on budget. DeAndre chose the second outfit and wore it to a recent game. The total cost of the outfit was $35. This exploded on the internet and got many people talking about dressing well for less, personal style and shopping secondhand.
I think we all can take advice from DeAndre. Shop secondhand and find your unique personal style, all while staying on budget. Not to mention helping the planet. So, to all my guys out there, don’t be afraid to thrift. If DeAndre can do it you can too. And I even styled a few looks from the Goodwill Akron’s new Streetsboro location in case you need some inspiration. I think these outfits are DeAndre-approved. What do you think?
Stay thrifty, friends.
~Taylor S.