One of the most valuable Wayans family contributions (a scientific fact) was The Wayans Bros., which originally aired on the now-defunct WB and is currently shown in seeming perpetuity on MTV2. If you’re not familiar with it, (meaning you have never stumbled home drunk and turned on cable or, well, nothing else was on) it’s a fun-filled family show that follows Marlon and Shawn “Williams.” During the show, the dynamic duo navigates all the hi-jinx of New York in the mid-’90s, living in an impossibly large apartment while owning a newsstand and kickstarting an acting career.
And while the show in itself warrants a well-articulated review, this piece focuses on celebrating a true trailblazer, one of the most important, yet “unsung” hipster fashion icons that has ever graced the scene: Pops Williams.
So let’s take a moment to pay tribute to one of the greatest hipster icons whose influence can currently be seen in the Brooklyns and San Franciscos of our nation. And if we’re lucky, he’ll continue to influence hipsters for generations to come.
Here, we see Pops Williams adorned with a fantastic summer/spring ensemble (pronounced un-psalm-blaye). Here we see him wearing a masterful ocean blue business-casual shirt adorn with flavored popcorn imagery. To complement this look, he’s incorporated a polyester/silk blend Halloween-orange bow tie.
Where to wear this: Casual Friday at your job or meeting your significant other’s parents for the first time.
Don’t become distracted by the ’90s-style twerking (which is AMAZING). This outfit shows a wonderful electric-multicolor shirt that is loud enough, yet complex enough, to really make people think. Naturally, it’s paired with a “grimace” also known as “purple drink” colored bow tie.
Where to wear this: On a job interview or your favorite trap club.
Now, this is truly a fashion gift. This delightful number screams professional. Here we have a plaid, “rain water” grey suit, complete with a dirty-gold ruffled shirt and a matching white belt made out of the best plastic. This is a particularly inspiring outfit, with the Captain Crunch-style shoulder décor. To complement this look, he has adorned this outfit with a movie-usher inspired bowtie.
Where to wear this: To court or a screening of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure… or both.
Here, Pops Williams is serving us everything! This unique number is another formal option for the multi-career professional. Here we have a salmon/Pepto Bismal suit, buttoned neatly with a white dress shirt and that always-popular red bow tie. This is the true outfit of confidence.
Where to wear this: Everywhere.
This outfit is a true gift of art. An impressionist-Pollock looking piece, this shirt is composed of all the colors. Also, please note the flexibility of this outfit, demonstrating how to mix comfortable and formal.
Where to wear this: To your niece’s middle school play or to an artisanal pastry shop opening.
And Raury… It’s cool. Rock your Pops Williams original and rock it proud… You have been influenced by one of the greatest.
#swag
Danielle Jean is a Detroit-born, Iowa-raised, Washingtonian. Yes, you read that correctly. When not explaining to the masses that yes, Black people live in Iowa, she works in the intersection of civil rights, judicial justice, and digital technology. She just started using twitter again, so follow her @djeanbrooks
