Despite the ridicule and jokes surrounding his fashion sense, Michael Jordan’s baggy clothing choices were not merely a matter of personal aesthetics. Behind the oversized jackets and wide-legged pants lay a vulnerability stemming from his self-consciousness about his body proportions. Despite being considered the greatest basketball player of all time, Jordan’s choice of clothing humanizes him, reminding us that even iconic figures like him grapple with insecurities and imperfections.
The history of MJ’s baggy clothes
Per Andscape, Jordan initially got his sweaters, shirts, and polos from Chicago-based luxury Italian menswear brand Burdi Clothing. Rino Burdi (current owner) asked his dad, Alfonso Burdi, to get Jordan’s measurements so they could craft some custom suits for the Chicago Bulls star. He was reluctant at first, given his bad experience with tailor-made suits, as they weren’t up to par with what he really wanted.
“He was not expecting much, but he went to the fitting room to try it on anyway,” Burdi said. “When he came out he was absolutely in love.”
“We tried tailoring a suit to the way we thought was proper [more tapered and fitted],” Burdi continued. “But he wanted it back to the original try-on measurements, and his look was created.”
Jordan preferred long jackets because he was self-conscious about those that he believed were too short. He also preferred wide-legged pants to disguise his skinny legs, which he felt were disproportionate to his big feet. And so these were the marching orders of Burdi and how Jordan’s look was crafted.
Human side of the GOAT
As trivial as it may seem, Jordan’s fashion sense gives us a glimpse into his personality that’s not been in the limelight. Yes, he is regarded by many as the greatest basketball player of all time, he’s one of the main reasons fans tuned in to basketball in the 1990s, and he’s also responsible for turning a basketball shoe into a fashion staple.
But outside of these accomplishments, Jordan had features that normal people also have: insecurities. Amid his rise to basketball superstardom, MJ did not feel comfortable in his own skin. And this came out through his choice of clothing.
Perhaps fashion critics’ should temper their comments on Jordan’s choice of clothing. His Airness clearly has his reasons, and besides, he has nothing left to prove. The man has done everything else on the basketball court. Outside of it, he’s been one of the most successful businessmen out there. His fashion sense pales in comparison to what he’s done in this world.