At least eight hours of sleep, a meal of pasta, fresh braids, and an outfit that reflects his mood and preference for luxury-meets-casual style. They’re all part of Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown’s game-day preparation. “I like to dress up and down at the same time, if that makes sense,” Brown told Vanity Fair prior to Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers. “So, it’s like you take something luxury—a nice piece that makes [your outfit] look formal—and then wear some sweatpants with it.”
Brown was born and raised in Atlanta, where he believes fashion “has always been a thing,” and his own style evolved while a student athlete at the University of California, Berkeley. “I’d see someone wearing an Alexander McQueen skirt, but they’d be wearing a typical crew neck or sweater, dress shoes, and high socks or something. To me, that was dope.”
Brown’s Game 7 wardrobe found the right blend of modest and elevated: a Realtakai shirt, Prada wool Prince of Wales check pants, a Gucci denim jacket, and Virón World vegan leather boots. (Nike x Louis Vuitton Air Force 1s were in the running.) “I wanted to be comfortable so the idea for today’s look was to keep it clean,” he says. “Nothing too over the top; something that was smooth and said, ‘We’ve been here before.’”
BY SHAWN CLARKE, MEDULLA MEDIA COMPANY
The six-foot-six shooting guard and small forward’s wardrobe is a mix of pieces he’s bought from shops like Dover Street Market, and others sourced by stylist Jason Bolden. “Jason is a great collaborator,” Brown said. “He understands my vibe and what I’m going for when we work together, so everything lends itself naturally to my personal style.” Lately, that style has leaned less on jewelry and watches, which are signatures for many NBA players. “I haven’t bought jewelry in over two years,” he said. “I love the aesthetic of it, but I just personally haven’t worn jewelry in a long time…. For whatever reason, I just got into a habit of trying to let my clothes speak for themselves.”
Some of the clothes Brown is often spotted in are from his own brand, 7uice, which he launched in late 2021. “My jersey would always be sold out,” he explained of the inspiration behind the label. “My fans would always be complaining, like, ‘Where can I find your jersey? It’s not available anywhere in Boston…it’s always sold out, it’s not at the arena.’ I gave away all the ones that I personally had, so I just decided to start a brand to feel more connected to my friends and family.” What began with a simple black hoodie has since expanded into a full sportswear line, inclusive of tees, sweats, beanies, and varsity jackets. “Now it [has] a cult following,” Brown said. “You go to the game, you’ll see all over the arena, people wearing the brand.”
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Brown’s grooming regimen is also a crucial component of preparing for game day. His beard is widely regarded as one of the greatest in the game, and he has worn a flattop, a fade, and now braids throughout his six-year NBA career, with barber Dwayne Williams maintaining his look. “I try to get a haircut or a lineup once every two weeks or week and a half,” he explains, adding that his braids are done by Joselyne Ortega, also known professionally as Jawz. “She is famous in Boston. “She does everyone’s hair. As for the beard, he’s happy to explain the basics of maintaining it—regular shower washes and “a lot of different moisturizers so it doesn’t look dry”—but won’t reveal his favorite beard oil. “It’s not fancy, but people have been asking me [to share] for years, and it’s been a running joke that I’m like, ‘I can’t.'”