WORDS BY STEPHEN YU
G-Eazy, like many rappers, boasts an impressive collection of diamond-encrusted grills, super rare Rolex’s and heavyweight gold Cuban link chains. But the similarities end there. One look at G-Eazy’s style and it’s clear – this is not your stereotypical rapper.
At a first glance G-Eazy – real name Gerald Earl Gillum – looks more like the frontman of an indie rock band or the kind of model found on a Hedi Slimane runway show; that is until his characteristic aggressive flow and cocky lyrics fill the airwaves and you realise he’s 100% hip-hop. And it’s exactly this juxtaposition of the good looks and style of James Dean with the flow of Drake that has made G-Eazy stand out in the hip-hop scene. More than just his great hair and a set of razor sharp cheekbones, it’s G-Eazy’s clothing style, a mix of retro minimalist pieces in monochromatic hues, that has garnered him attention from hip-hop fans and the fashion world alike.
But don’t just take our word for it, here are just a few of the Californian rapper’s style credentials: He’s a regular on the best dressed list in publications like GQ and Vanity Fair. He was the ever first rapper to sign for legendary agency Ford Models. In his first ever modelling campaign he was shot next to the iconic Anja Rubik.
Take one look at the crowd at any music festival or gig, and it's likely you'll several men copying any number of G-Eazy’s outfits – usually his trademark motorcycle leather or varsity jackets and perfectly cut skinny jeans. Oh, and they’ll be wearing heat on-foot too, it’s not uncommon to see G-Eazy wearing the hottest Jordans, Yeezys or Nikes. It’s this effortless mix of timeless pieces with the most hyped streetwear and simple essentials that has come to define G-Eazy style clothing. That and his penchant for all things Saint Laurent.
This carefully curated aesthetic is just one part of the G-Eazy brand, the other is the music, which he assures us takes priority over all else ‘For me, it’s always come first, I feel like to do something special or great you have to put your heart and soul into it’ but that’s not to say that fashion is far behind it ‘I’ve been interested in fashion and style since I was a little kid and, though my first world is music, the two are very connected - I see it as another way of expressing myself.’
So while we wait for new G-Eazy material – he’s been recording ‘Everythings Strange Here’ during lockdown and ‘These Things Happen Too’ is slated to release later this year – we caught up with the man himself to give us a lesson on how to dress in true G-Eazy fashion.
1. Know your own uniform
‘Growing up I never went to school with a uniform, but I like the idea. By which I mean when I find something I like, I don’t tend to switch it up too much, I stick with it. I wear the same thing whether I’m at the airport or the grocery store or about to go onstage in front of 3000 people. My own uniform is inspired by something very classic and mid-20th century - motorcycle jackets, bomber jackets, varsity jackets, jeans and t-shirts, but with contemporary streetwear elements that I like to mix in.’
3.1 Phillip Lim Souvenir Reversible Varsity Jacket // Acne Studios Straight Leg Mid-Rise Trousers // Valentino Garavani Logo Appliqued Hiking Boots // Versace Medusa Signet Ring
2. Invest in the classics
‘How I approach clothes is the same way I approach music, the same way I approach design. So if you take a piece that’s been around for a long time, like a motorcycle jacket, but you do it the absolute best – the best materials, the best texture, the best cut, it really shows. It’s these subtle things that are the reason it’ll be the holy grail of motorcycle jackets. My favourite labels are Saint Laurent, A.P.C, Acne and 3.1 Phillip Lim – minimal, simple stuff.’
3. Be true to yourself
‘I think how you dress is absolutely part of who you are as an artist and people see you a certain way, and they identify with it. I like the fact that I dress differently (to most rap artists), I’ve always felt like an outsider my whole life, especially growing up, and I feel like it’s important to know yourself and to be yourself. It’s important to own it, whoever you are, whatever you want to do, and for me that literally means wearing the same thing all the time.’
Styland Single Breasted Blazer // Jil Sander Mismatched Striped Shirt // Golden Goose Purestar Lace-Up Sneakers // Tom Wood Cuban Curb Chain Link Necklace
4. Balance the high with the low
‘As the music evolves, as you evolve as a person, your influences change, you become inspired by different things. I think that wearing a pair of Jordans with high-end brands creates a cool juxtaposition of worlds and can balance out my different influences. Like right now I’m in my go-to outfit - jeans, an American Apparel t-shirt and a Saint Laurent leather jacket.’
5. Less is more
‘I’m a minimalist when it comes to a lot of things and most of the time I feel like less is more, it takes me five minutes to get ready in the morning. I’ve never been one to wear loud jewellery and I don’t wear a lot of colour - my approach to style is a plain t-shirt and all-black attire, which comes from Johnny Cash. It’s a clean, subtle look but there’s also something rebellious about wearing all black.’