Kanye West Fashion
Kanye West is one of the most fashionable stars in the world of hip-hop. He’s been influencing street style since before his debut album was released, he’s been a fixture of the high-fashion Met Gala for years, and the Chicago native has even launched his own fashion line with Adidas, Yeezy Season 1. It should come as no surprise, then, that any time the “Famous” rapper goes on stage, his fans spend a fair amount of time preparing what to wear to a Kanye West concert.
Whether you want to channel “The College Dropout” or get inspired by “The Life of Pablo,” Kanye’s style over the years can give inspiration to everyone, no matter your personal style. Below we’ve broken down the history of Kanye West fashion to give you ideas on the outfit you should don at his next show.
Find Yeezy-worthy fashion inspiration in the guide below, and don’t forget to shop for Kanye West tickets to show off your new style at his next concert.
“The College Dropout” - The Preppy Look
It’s ironic that while Kanye West was supporting “The College Dropout,” he was also in his preppiest fashion phase. During 2004, the young rapper famously sported outfits with argyle, polo stripes, and layered sweater looks while supporting his debut album.
If you want to sport this early Kanye look, think clean-cut, collared shirts, and classic prints.
“Late Registration” - The Monochromatic Look
“Late Registration” was released in late 2005, and Kanye spent much of the year building up hype for his sophomore effort. In his handful of public appearances that year, West made a striking impact in monochromatic outfits, like in his all-white GRAMMYs suit shown above.
Channeling the monochromatic look is simple: Pick a color and commit to it. You might want to consider leaving the angel wings off the outfit for the concert, though. The fans standing behind you will appreciate it.
“Graduation” - The Shutter Shades Look
After the release of “Graduation,” Yeezy turned shutter shades into a massive fashion trend that would endure at music festivals for years to come. These sunglasses went well with West’s more urban-leaning style in 2007-08, all of which matched the album’s whimsical cover art.
If you want to wear this look to a Kanye West concert, seek out bright colors, bold prints, and overstated accessories.
“808s and Heartbreak” - The Romantic Look
Both Kanye’s fashion and music from the “808s and Heartbreak” era have been hailed by fans and critics as some of the best of his career. This is one of his most emotional, internally focused albums, and his fashion around the time draws on classical and romantic inspirations, centering on polished suit jackets and blazers paired with subtle button-downs.
Channel your emotional side with an 808s-inspired look, complete with a bow tie and a classy jacket.
“My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” - The Red Look
The year 2010 was a pretty tame one, by Kanye West standards. The star released his excellent “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” that year, but he wouldn’t tour behind the album. (His massive Watch the Throne Tour with Jay Z launched in 2011.)
For looks inspired by the “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” era, shop for clothes with a bold red that matches the album cover, but be sure to tone it down with some basic colors like black and gold.
“Yeezus” - The Masked Man Look
One of the most intriguing concert tours of the last decade, Kanye’s Yeezus Tour had a lot going on in the fall of 2013. From the elaborate stage construction to the religious imagery, the production was a rich visual experience for fans. Curiously, one tour feature that received a ton of coverage was Yeezy’s elaborate set of jeweled masks he wore throughout each performance.
It’s not a look that everyone can pull off, but there’s no harm in trying to make a DIY Yeezus mask for your next Kanye West concert. If that doesn’t pan out, enhance your outfit with over-the-top glittering accessories and jewelry.
“The Life of Pablo” - Yeezy Season 1
When Kanye came out with his first fashion line, he described the collection as “solutions-based,” a clothing line that would translate easily to the fast pace of modern society. The ready-to-wear collection would fit in perfectly at a Kanye West concert not only because you’d be multiplying the Yeezy factor, but also because these comfy, casual looks are ideal for a low-key night out.
If you don’t want to shell out the big bucks to sport Yeezy’s line at his concert, you can aim for loose, baggy clothing in neutral and earth tones.
