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Fashion is an interesting industry, as it’s one of the few that is/can be heavily influenced by outside industries, even ones that might seem completely disconnected and/or unrelated. While the NBA (and basketball in general) isn’t necessarily something we’d call entirely separate from the fashion industry, it has had a shocking amount of influence over the years. This is perhaps most apparent in footwear — basketball shoes, especially limited releases and signature player sneakers, are some of the most sought-after in the world.
But it extends beyond that — every piece of clothing born on the court has meandered its way out of the sport and onto the runway in some form or another. And some of the top players throughout history have had a profound effect on fashion, some even achieving fashion icon status (we’re looking at you, Clyde Frazier). It’s with these connections and factors in mind that we’ve put together the following style guide, comprised of athletic gear and apparel that looks as good as it performs both on and off the court.
Legends Luka Short
Already one of Legends’ best offerings, the stylish performance-focused Luka shorts now boast anti-microbial and moisture-wicking technologies for even more all-day comfort. And that’s on top of their 4-way stretch, laser-cut ventilation, and optional liner. If you want to look and perform your best, these are the athletic bottoms for you.
Legends Vertical Spotlight Socks
Unless you like painful blisters and stinky feet, you should pair your sneakers with a solid pair of performance socks. And you can’t go wrong with Legends’ Vertical Spotlight Socks, which offer a comfortable, compressed fit alongside some unique styling, especially in the two splatter-patterned versions.
RTIC Water Bottle
Even if you’re not in a high-stakes slam dunk competition, staying hydrated is of the utmost importance. And managing your hydration is as simple as pie, so long as you carry one of RTIC’s double-walled, vacuum-insulated water bottles along with you every day. Of course, if you’re more of a hot coffee person, you can keep your cup-o-joe hot for longer by pouring it into this bottle — and you won’t have to worry about burning your fingers.
Legends Enzo Tank
The tank top is as classic as athletic shirts get, but few can compare to the quality and styling of Legends’ Enzo Tank you see here. Along with its comfortable cut, it also boasts anti-microbial and moisture-wicking technologies. And it’s stretchy and ultra-breathable for unrivaled all-day comfort, even if you’re dropping 3-pointers for hours on end.
Legends Hawthorne Tech Hoodie
Whether you need a solid warm-up hoodie or you want to go ball on a colder day, you can’t go wrong with the Legends Hawthorne Tech Hoodie. With a handsome, unique silhouette — marked by a scalloped bottom and a scuba-neck hood — this performance fleece garment is stretchy, cozy, and will fit excellently.
Beats Studio Buds
For those waiting for Apple AirPods in black, you’ll still have to wait. But the tech giant has put out a suitable alternative in the form of the Beats Studio Buds — which boast IPX4 waterproofing (good enough for sweaty workouts), up to eight hours of listening per charge (and an additional 16 with the charging case), and both ANC and Transparency audio modes (so you can choose when to tune the world around you out).
APL Superfuture Basketball Sneakers
The NBA banned APL’s Load ‘N Launch technology — which is designed to allow you to jump up to 3.5 inches higher than normal — from official game usage. But you can still utilize it all you want, so long as you pick up a pair of the brand’s Superfuture Basketball Sneakers you see here. And that’s just the start of all the great tech and styling offered by these handsome high-tops.
Killspencer Indoor Full-Size Basketball
You’re not going to be able to do any balling if you don’t actually have a ball. And while you could settle for a boring old Spalding or Wilson, we’re much more drawn to the Killspencer Indoor Full-Size Basketball you see here with its premium Horween leather construction — the same leather used by both the NBA and NFL in official capacities. If you’re going to ball, do it right with this rock.
