The Fashion Scores and Bores of Brady and Mahomes
Image Courtesy: WTSP
It’s Super Bowl season. This year’s showdown pitted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bucs, led by quarterback Tom Brady, took on the Chiefs, headed by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, in Tampa’s home stadium. This marks the first time in history a team has played the big game on their own field. The home-field advantage may not have seemed daunting to the Chiefs, who were the defending Super Bowl champs, but the Bucs coolly carried Tampa to victory. With Brady making his 10th Super Bowl appearance and Mahomes his second, these two have conquered the football field. But, now it’s time they battle it out on the fashion front. They have had no trouble running up the score on the fashion field. Gracing forums like the Met Gala and the cover of GQ, Brady and Mahomes have made the world their runway.
SCORES
BEAUTY AND THE BRADY
It’s a tale as old as time: Tom and Gisele conquering the Met Gala carpet. However, this 2018 look elevated them above the competition. The theme of the year was “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,” and Tom and Gisele looked ethereal in their custom Versace outfits. Brady donned an almost all-black look, only breaking his monochromatic moment with gold scrollwork embroidered on the lapels of his blazer. Gisele went full “24K Magic,” as her hubby noted in his Instagram caption. She collaborated with Donatella Versace to ensure her custom gown was environmentally friendly, with specially harvested gold silk. A fashion score for sure, Brady’s twist of matching Gisele’s dress with his lavish lapels is a unique take on simply wearing a matching tie.
Loungewear Legend
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It’s hard to miss with a vintage sweatshirt look -- comfy, casual and classic. Brady is laid back in this lowkey look, sporting green sweatpants and a gray Pats sweatshirt in this number. He paired the look with a ball cap, gray undershirt and, of course, a football. Peyton Manning is a little more prepared for practice in his Colts gear; at least he donned his uniform pants. But simpler times called for simpler looks. The fashion message Brady delivers here? You can be a champion in sweatpants. Brady has seven Super Bowl rings to prove it.
PRE-GAME POWER WALK
While most people might not know what it feels like to walk into one’s first Super Bowl victory, Patrick Mahomes does. But, more importantly, he knows how to dress for it. Before winning Super Bowl LIV last year, he won major fashion points for this navy, patterned look. He paired the three-piece suit with silver sneakers and Oakley sunglasses, who he has partnered with since March 2019. Mahomes also sported black Bose headphones, pumping that pregame playlist. Top it all off with the strut of a champion, it’s no wonder he took it all home that year. In another walk-up pic, Mahomes proved that just because your team is from Kansas City doesn’t mean you can’t be stylish. Embracing the Midwestern roots of his team, he paired his hat with a checkered suit, light blue shirt, and, of course, the Oakleys. Country has never looked so cool.
A Super Bowl MVP and a cover star? Mahomes graced the cover of GQ in July 2020 and brought fashion to the football field. Pops of pink and a brightly designed Louis Vuitton jacket-and-shorts combo drew the eye to the 6-foot-3 athlete. The Louis Vuitton set is classic Mahomes; the emphasized, colorful monogram print takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary. While his smug smile was the only accessory needed, Mahomes also paired his LV set with Adidas sneakers and a maroon hoodie. His other fit shifted from overtly bold to more toned-down, but still demonstrated his signature, suave style. The QB toned down the bright pink sweater with a long, navy overcoat and pants. To finish off the look, the superstar accessorized with a silver Tiffany & Co. chain. This shoot alone may tip the scales in favor of Mahomes.
Bores
Bad Boys For Life
Image Courtesy: Just Jared
Out in force at the Kentucky Derby, Tampa Bay’s favorite Patriot-defectors: Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady. Brady is classic, out-of-our-league and old-school chic, opting for a simple blue shirt and navy jacket combo. The one and only Gronk also went for a “lowkey” look, or something like that. It’s a tough call for who wins this showdown. However, Brady’s tie situation is questionable. The Bucs QB seems to have chosen to accessorize with a neck bandana, which breaks the classic theme of his look. Brady’s kids must be watching Scooby Doo, and he decided to take inspiration from Freddie Prinze Jr. for this look. Gronk, on the other hand, does not fluctuate between classic and questionable. No one knows what is going on there. At least there is consistency in his inconsistency. And, what was cooler in 2015 than Vineyard Vines? Sorry Brady, Gronk wins this one.
Just Wear a Helmet, Tom
Is that Bruno Mars or Tom Brady stuntin’ next to Aaron Rodgers and Katie Couric at the 2017 Kentucky Derby? While Brady added the fedora and pocket square to his look, he still opted for no tie. Also, let’s take a moment and be thankful that the Vineyard Vines glasses made another appearance, this time on Aaron Rodgers. Brady attempted different headgear while posing with Jay-Z, and this one really shows some range. “Newsies” meets “Grease” in the crossover no one asked for, as Brady sports a golf cap and leather jacket. Even Jay-Z looks confused. Stick to only helmets for headgear, Brady.
Patrick, is that you?
Are we really sure this is actually Patrick Mahomes? Who knew the ever-fashionable QB also went through a phase of dressing like a preteen boy? Everything about this look screams middle-school-cool: the obscure, edgy slogan, the unnecessary lack of sleeves, the backward cap and the glasses. Where did the Oakleys go, Patrick? You never went wrong with those. While fifteen-year-old boys everywhere only dream of one day being able to look this stylish, we’ve grown to expect more from the ever-fashionable Mahomes. From someone who never misses in the style department, this look came out of left field. Bring back the Oakleys, cowboy hats and Tiffany chains. Please, we’re begging you.
While Tom Brady led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to an overwhelming victory in Super Bowl LV, this competition is going to be a closer call. Yet, a champion must be named. Mahomes’ style is suave, bold, outside-the-box, while Tom’s is classic with a little twist. While Mahomes only had one fashion fail, Brady had two. And if that’s not conclusive enough for you, please refer to the moment Mahomes made a cowboy hat look chic.
So, congratulations to Patrick Mahomes, the MVP of the fashion scene, if not the football field. It’s OK, Brady. You’ll always have those Super Bowl rings, and that brand new one must feel pretty stylish.
Strike Out,
Writers: Kate Corcoran
Editor: Jacob McLean
Gainesville