Kanye West: The Color of Music

Winner of a Grammy for Best Rap Album “The College Dropout” and up-and-coming new fashion clothing and sneaker designer Kanye West has a style sense as colorful as his daily life. Bright, Atari-like hoodies, bold slashes of stripes and color, lots of primary red, and attention-grabbing formal wear outline West’s look.

“In music and society people tell you to pick a side,” says Kanye. “Are you mainstream or underground? Do you rhyme about nice cars, or about riding the train? Are you ignorant or do you know something about history? But I’m a person who can do all these different things. It’s like everybody is taking that fork in the road. They don’t see the rainbow in the middle. And I’m about to ride that. I’m the prism. And my music comes out in colors.”

To amp up your own look using the full color spectrum, put aside the neutrals in favor of something loud. Kanye is fond of wearing hot pink shirts, whether as a button-up under a brown suit and a burgundy tie or a sweater over a white shirt. If pink is unsuitable for your skin tone or just too much for you, go with a supersaturated purple, blue, green, or red. Pick out colors that you normally wouldn’t consider, and see how they work for you. Many men who typically stick with basic black, navy, and brown are surprised to discover just how attractive they are in bright colors. Alternately, try a total absence of color. At this year’s Grammy Awards, West dressed in a full suit of white and topped the outfit off with the white hot sparkle of a diamond ear stud. In down times, he has been spotted in a white t-shirt and sneakers. Rarely does he choose basic black, however.

If large brushes of hue feel overwhelming at first, try brightly colored accessories, such as ties, watches, or baseball caps. Kanye is well known for his large silver-toned pendants. Consider the possibility of an oversized watch or ring to give a kick to an outfit that otherwise blends in. If the prospect of a bulky piece of jewelry is daunting, try something modestly sized and build your way up to something more striking. Work stripes and small patches of patterns and graphics into accessories or shirts. Choose clothing that makes you feel comfortable and vibrant, and resist style pigeonholing. Explore the full fashion spectrum, find the colors and styles that suit your personal taste best, and be who you are.