2016 NBA Draft Style Guide: Do’s and don’ts

Don’t wear that draft hat too long.

Last year, the worst crime against the fashion world may have fallen on Adidas, who supplied the official NBA Draft hats that Silver handed out to the 2015 rookie class. As someone who purchased the Cavaliers draft hat last year and hasn’t worn it a day since, I have to say that the hat was trash. A white foam brimmed snapback with the underside printed with a zoomed-in and over-cropped team logo. The city name was written out on the back above the adjustable snaps. It’s an interesting design in concept, but that bright white brim is hard to pull off, especially with formal wear. In general, snapbacks and suits never look good, but considering the NBA and NFL continue to require the look as a part of the official initiation, it’s best to just roll with the photo opportunity and ditch the snapback as soon as possible.

A quick glance at 2016’s model appears to have corrected the white-brimmed color scheme, opting instead for the team’s primary and secondary colors with an embroidered logo behind the team name. The underside of the brim now displays the city name, instead of the oversized logo. However, the back of the cap features a strange strip of fabric featuring the team’s complete color scheme, like a runway or a Donkey Kong racing boost strip? It’s a mess or maybe a Candyland board. Just don’t turn around and do take it off as quick as you can.

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