NBA star Kevin Love switched out his basketball shoes for cool black kicks to discuss his return to the Cavaliers and his take on men’s fashion last Friday on “Late Night with Seth Meyers.”

Love looked put-together and stylish wearing black slim-cut pants and a sharp jacket. Looking at his fashionable ensemble, it comes as no surprise that he is in town for New York Fashion Week.

When Meyers asked Love to evaluate the fashion choices of several other NBA players through a series of photos, Love was uncritical of out-there outfits and supportive of unique looks. In response to a photo of Russell Westbrook clad in camouflage pants and a brown jacket, Love said, “I personally think he looks great.”

As Meyers moved onto a photo of LeBron James in a green paisley-printed tuxedo jacket and said, “You can’t have anything good to say about this,” Love stood up for his teammate’s style.

Love not only showed a sense of camaraderie toward his fellow players, but also acceptance and even encouragement of individuality through style. Love’s college-aged male fans should learn from his message that it is empowering to dress differently, especially at Syracuse where the majority of boys seem to follow some sort of “dress code” consisting of the same tired brands and styles. College is the perfect time to break away from this mold and develop individual style.

Style can be tricky for everyone, and, unfortunately, there are fewer choices for men in fashion than woman. This does not mean that men should not create and refine their own personal styles; it simply means that they may have to be a bit more creative and open-minded.

Because men tend to dress more alike than women, developing a personal style might also mean that guys will have to leave behind a fear of fitting in. While that notion can sound intimidating, it is incredibly powerful — it sets you apart. Love acknowledged that Westbrook’s outfit was a lot, but by setting himself apart, Westbrook gave himself a distinct and positive brand.

NBA players like Love, Westbrook and James are in the spotlight all the time, which gives them the platform to stand out but also the criticism from people who don’t like what they choose. Still, these men confidently pull off their own styles and images, despite the disapproval from some.

This year, ‘Cuse boys, challenge yourselves to step away from your bro tanks and take off your backwards Vineyard Vines caps. When it gets colder, don’t turn to the same Patagonia that every other guy has. Instead, try something new and go out of your comfort zone. Reinvent yourself and show that you have something different to say. Wear a paisley tuxedo jacket.

Jackie Homan is a sophomore magazine journalism major. You can email her at jahoman@syr.edu or follow her @jackie_homan on Twitter.

Published on September 14, 2015 at 8:49 pm