Let's Talk About Fabolous' Helmut Lang Jeans That Everyone Hated
WHAT ARE THOSE?!?!? That was social media’s reaction to the jeans Fabolous wore over the weekend. Friday night Fab touched down in Las Vegas for performance and while we can assume fans in the crowd thoroughly enjoyed screaming the rapper's lyrics word for word his followers on Instagram gave him an earful on his outfit choice.
Fabolous Instagram comments under his outfit of the day post looked something like this:
@lildoe_: “Bootcut jeans with Balenciaga's.”
@redjapchi: “I’m trying my hardest to understand these pants.”
@miggz3: “Chief called and said them jeans ain't it.”
@suave_111: “yo chief, where u going with Michael Jordan’s Jean's bro.”
@pimp215: “Damn bro, them jeans giving me wrangler vibes. You still my man tho”
@daverychh: "Why ya jeans look like that flee?? You definitely from Brooklyn."
For his Vegas appearance, the “I’m So Into You” rapper wore a slime green and lean purple Vyner Articles denim jacket, a black tee, Balenciaga (possibly women’s) Triple S Leather & Mesh Sneaker in neon green and Helmut Lang denim. Ripped to shreds by social media, the jean in question wasn’t, in fact, bootcut but a pair of slim utility jeans. Utilitarian-inspired, low rise, and slim fit, the jeans feature front panel details, a carpenter loop, and three side patch side pockets. White topstitching and silvertone hardware as accents gave these jeans traditional dungaree vibes.
Helmut Lang Utility Jeans $360, ssense.com
So what the hell was wrong with the jeans? Nothing to be honest. Fabolous is technically right on trend with what's happening on the menswear runways for Spring 2019. Brands like Y/Projects and Willy Chavarria have embraced a baggier denim pant fit that saw more popularity in the early 2000s. However, we do see an issue with the look as a whole: too many inspirations for one outfit. The neon green Balenciaga trainers: hypebeast fashion, Vyner Articles tie-dye denim jacket: SS19 runway trendy and then you have these Helmut Lang jeans with a circa 2001 feel but designed for where style is heading in mind. It’s a lot to digest, especially when people expect you to look like “right now,”i.e., a slimmer, or dare I say bodycon fit.
You can’t please everyone with your outfit choices but other styling options for the Helmut Langs utility jeans exist, and we’ve thought of two.
Option 1 - Damn Daddy: If the jeans have a dad fit, commit to a dad look. You can still do luxury sneakers current with the times but not overly 2019 with a pair Nike Air Monarch trainers designer by London based menswear designer Martine Rose. Above the waist, opt for a vintage crewneck and a dad hat to top it off. You can’t go wrong looking like a dad in dad gear when you’re an actual real-life father.
Option 2: Throwback Fab. Break out a throwback basketball jersey, lace up in a pair of classic kicks — we’re suggesting white low top Nike Air Force ones —, tie that bandana around a fitted cap and remind folks who the f**k Ghetto Fabolous is.
Fabolous “Trade It All” Video
Fabolous “Trade It All” Video
Image Courtesy: makenewyorkgrimeyagain.com
In Fabolous defense, when you take fashion risks, every look won’t translate to a successful ensemble, even for the most experienced style connoisseur. Finding your style, or in Fab’s case, navigating how to style certain pieces takes some trial and error; kudos to him for not fearing fashion and dressing to the beat of his own drum.
On Instagram Fab did respond to one user questioning his choice of denim. “Bra are those bugle boy jeans? I ain’t seen a loop on jeans since 2001,” @tony2k_ wrote in his comments. The Brooklyn natives response, “I was tryna do a whole farmers/painter jean look. Shirt was a painted tie-dye look. Pants were a little long too. Guess it didn’t work in pics/performance. But whatever. No biggie. I got a big bag to stuff in my big jeans.”
