Elevate Your Street Style with A$AP Rocky's Inspiration

It is no secret that Rakim Athelaston Mayers, better known as American rapper A$AP Rocky, knows how to put it on. From colored nails to eye-striking skirts, the man knows how to make an entrance. After erupting within the rap industry in 2011, Rocky has been setting trends since day one.

The fashion icon has partnered with companies such as Dior, Gucci, and Guess Originals and has recently been named the creative director with Puma and F1. We are going to explore a few of his outfit choices and showcase their impact on the streetwear community.

A$AP is not shy of sporting bright and vibrant colors. At the Recording Academy and Clive Davis’ 2019 Pre-Grammys Award Gala, he wore an oversized baby pink suit that highlighted his brown skin tone. The suit was from fashion designer Jonathan Anderson’s first men’s fashion show for Loewe.

He complimented the pink with a satin white lining, white button-up, and white sneakers. Upon closer look, one may notice the half-tucking of the button-up shirt and the overall last-minute look of the outfit. This outfit showcased that men can not only wear pink but can look awe-striking in the color. The outfit also highlighted being oversized and haphazard look.

Rocky’s versatility and masculine approach to commonly perceived womanly items such as scarves or purses are incredible to witness. The fashion icon is always pushing the limits or boundaries of what society deems wearable by men.

“It was inspired by a situation I had where my face got cut, and I started walking around with a Babushka to cover it,” he told GQ of the what started the trend. “Honestly, it was inspired by Alfalfa — you ever see the Little Rascals, when he pretended to have a toothache? I kind of wanted to make it look like that.”

Although he isn’t the first rapper to sport a head scarf, he has started the trend of wearing the scarf in Babushka fashion around his entire face. Babushka originates from Russia and refers to a headscarf typically worn by women. The style also influenced his 2019 song track ‘Babushka Boi’.

Rocky switched things up for the 2023 Met Gala by wearing an asymmetrical plaid kilt over a pair of embellished jeans. He recreated this look from fashion designer’s Karl Lagerfeld Spring/Summer 2003 show. Rocky’s take included a Lagerfeld fingerless glove, Boucheron jewels, and steel-toed boots to complete the look.

“My girl could wear all of my clothes and get away with it," he said of the double standard in fashion. “When I shop, I go to the women’s section to find good pieces… because I know that no other guys will have them.”

Rocky has used several types of handbags and purses as accessories with his outfit for years. He constantly proves that he doesn’t care about normal men's norms when it comes to fashion. His purse collection features a pink Bottega Veneta Andiamo purse, a Mickey Mouse crossbody, and many Goyard satchel-like bags.

A$AP has introduced and brought back several trends within the fashion world. Being a creative talent in the rap community, he has managed to set himself apart through fashion and minute details in his dressing standards.