Wear This, Drink That: What Your Pre-Game Outfit Says About You

Image via Complex Original

Signature look: Badass but basic

You're rebellious in nature. You’re the one everyone knows can hang with the best of them, though you tend not to try and challenge anyone and they certainly won’t challenge you. Your whiskey and coke demonstrates how you like to keep it casual at all times, even with your wardrobe. Wearing dark colors to match your drink isn’t on purpose, per se, but you can’t help it if your black T-shirt, black denim, and leather perfecto just so happen to go nicely with the dark hues in your glass.

Signature look: Easy-going Americana

You’re the sensible, social drinker. You’re outgoing and love conversing with your comrades. Starting off by casually sipping light beer proves that. Your beer isn’t the only light thing, as your chambray, denim jacket, and chinos all have a light air to them. You don’t trip if any of these things get spilled on by your willy-nilly counterparts, whom you’ll gladly call a cab for if they’re in the thick of it.

Signature look: Bright, fun menswear classics

You and your girl are super organized, even when it comes to hanging out with friends. Themed nights are a normal occurrence that everyone loves to participate in, so when it’s “Taco Night,” you go in. Not only are you making a mean guac dip and supplying the refreshing margaritas for your homies and their significant others, but your dress code follows the dress code, within your own personal style and without going overboard. An oxford with a fun pattern that pops and is as welcoming as your greeting with margarita in hand, and slim dark denim to accentuate the shirt and socks that could light up a room like Christmas lights do a house. Everything about you yells, “Let’s get this fiesta started!”

Signature look: Next-level sportswear and #menswear

People often describe you as having “good taste,” which is evident in your drink of choice, SoCo Caramel & Sprite, because, well, it tastes good. It also defines your style, which always skirts on the edge of risky, but never screams “Look at me, everybody”—even when you’re arriving to the pre-game festivities fashionably late. No one ever knows where you buy your clothes, which is a secret that you hold tight to chest because your wide-brimmed hat and cut-collar flannel shirt constantly warrant the interest. Your long M-51 parka looks like it could’ve been copped at an Army Surplus, but your friends know better. You’ve noticed that they’ve tried to subtly copy your style, but can’t quite get it.

Signature look: Ageless streetwear

Even though you’re discussing 401Ks and marketing strategies during the day, your pre-game rum and pineapple juice suggests that you would rather be by the pool, napping while tanning and chatting up anyone whose ear will have it at the bar. Your work-life balance is more life than work at the moment, which allows you to pre-game on a weekday while some of your upper-level colleagues are having night terrors about the 7 a.m. presentation to the board. And since you have to collar-and-tie it during the day, wearing a tasteful graphic T-shirt, bomber jacket, and your retro Jordans while having a fruity cocktail shows everyone that you’re young at heart, but your taste is still refining by the minute.

Signature look: Tailored menswear down to the socks

Have you ever let an opinion stop you from enjoying what you know you like? Your martini is an affirmation that the answer is “Hell no.” You don’t give a damn what a martini says about you because you enjoy the finer things in life, especially a homemade martini with dinner made to perfection in your apartment. With that refined taste, you’d be damned if you’re seen out without a crisp collared shirt, a nice cotton gabardine suit jacket with matching trousers, and sleek cap-toed bluchers. This ensures that you are mostly business, but you’re not too Mad Men-ish with that dirty martini in hand.

Signature look: Cozy Boy

You are a goon. Your friends are goons. Y’all tend to get rowdy, but all in all you just want to act a fool with each other and talk to some lovely ladies with no disrespect intended. It is understood that pre-gaming is the most important part of the night so you don’t spend a ton of cash at the bar, and the best way to avoid overspending is with some tasty malt liquor. And we all know that malt liquor doesn’t get consumed in a fancy-shmancy glass, nor whilst wearing fancy-shmancy clothes. No. A dope hoodie with a longer shirt underneath, some slim-fitting—but not tight—sweatpants, and a pair of dope Nikes or Timbs if it’s brisk out will suffice. And depending on if the bar you’re stepping foot in allows them, a fitted hat or snapback to toss in the air when Bobby Shmurda comes on will ensure that the entire crew wilds out.

Signature look: Avant garde-centric menswear

Pre-game starts post-work because the hours between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. were a blur, but they still managed to wear you the hell out. There is nothing you want more than a gang of hors d’oeuvres and a gin and tonic in your hand as soon as you step foot in the spot. There was no time to run home to change because you probably would’ve just went to bed, but that’s okay because your job allows you to wear business-casual attire that you can actually get behind on a day-to-day basis. A nice sweater worn over a Mandarin collar shirt shows your risk-tasking, trendy side and your well-worn denim shows your dedication to your clothes and your style. This speaks volumes because your face tells everyone how dedicated you are to that job, too.

Signature look: Outdoor music festival chic

It’s too gorgeous outside to sit around and not have a glass of white wine out on a deck as the sun kisses your skin like your dream girl. Your scenery is perfect and it’s not too hot out, which is perfectly reflected by your Wayfarer sunglasses, short-sleeved popover, and slip-on sneakers. But you’re caught up in the perfection of the moment that can’t be bothered by “plans” or “the future.”