Words by Amelia Gregory
On matters of style, there’s a lot to learn from 23-year-old Jaden Smith.
There’s a lot to like about Jaden Smith’s style. He’s no stranger to big fits and can be seen sporting some pretty noteworthy looks. Big claim, I know, but Smith’s a bit of a fashion trendsetter. He stepped out in skirts long before the likes of Brad Pitt and Harry Styles, and he mastered the sequence look before Hollywood golden boy Timotheè Chalamet. And who forget his Batman moment? Would I wear it? Probably not. Was it cool? Not for everyone. Did Smith give two hoots about anyone else’s opinion? Most definitely not.
Point is, he knows how to turn heads. And more often than not, in the right way. Here, we break down the style secrets to learn from him:
Gender Norms? What Gender Norms?
Smith has been breaking down gender norms in fashion for many years now,
stemming back to his teenage years when the Hollywood star regularly stepped out in skirts. A move, by the way, that saw him became the face of Louis Vuitton’s Womenswear at the ripe old age of 17.
Now, Jaden is still just as much of a fan of skirts as he was back then, outright refusing to conform to any mainstream idea of gender norms in fashion. The lesson? Wear what you want, when you want it. Like Smith, try a few experimental pieces and take steps to step out of your comfort zone.
Layers, Layers, Layers
Jaden Smith is a master of layering. His ability to manipulate silhouettes through the art of layering is unmatched. He can often be seen wearing skirts over trousers or adding a statement jacket to his look, adding an extra edge to traditional (and boring) outfits. This ties into Jaden’s abandonment of ‘norm-core’ dressing as he deconstructs the traditional silhouettes and creates a multidimensional look.
Like Smith, use layering as a chance to show off some individuality. From cardigans to jumpers, shirts to statement jackets, look out for pieces that add extra quality to your outfit.
Tailoring Rules Are Meant to be Broken
Rules are meant to be broken, especially style ones. When it comes to tailoring, Smith can be regularly spotted remixing the suit, utilising anything from prints to bright colours for added effect. For extra marks, opt for slightly bolder cuts, mix it up with bright colours, and don’t be afraid to finish off your look with a neat pair of kicks (trainers).
Don’t Confine Yourself to an ‘Aesthetic’
With the age of social media came the age of ‘aesthetics’ with everybody deciding whether they are a ‘gorpcore’ or a ‘streetwear’ dresser. Jaden Smith, however, is a huge advocate for simply wearing whatever you want, and while his looks have some trademark signifiers of his personal style that is simply because it is his personal style not because he is trying to conform to a particular genre of dressing. This means that his outfits are able to reflect his personality, his likes, his dislikes and everything in between but there is also room for so much variation between outfits. One minute Jaden may be spotted in an elaborate Louis Vuitton suit but sporting one of his MSFTSrep puffer jackets and jeans the next. Jaden Smith is Gen-Z’s reminder that their personal style does not need to fit into a neat genre decided for them on TikTok. You should play with your style and wear things simply because you like them, not because you are trying to achieve a particular ‘aesthetic’.
Don’t be Afraid to Accessorise
It comes as no shock that the very man who walked the Met Gala red carpet carrying his own severed dreadlocks does not hold back when it comes to accessorising. He’s also been known to wear artillery vests, carry his own album plaques and don hats with a specific hole for his hair to resurface from. But for those who may not feel quite as bold as Jaden, there is still a lot to be learnt from Jaden’s love of accessories. Often seen completing an outfit with a bag, a necklace or the perfect pair of shoes, Jaden proves that the devil is in the details and conscious accessorising is key to completing a look.
Speaking of style lessons, here’s what to learn from Lewis Hamilton