Image via Complex Original
We're halfway done with 2014 and it's already been a memorable year for style. A few rappers went far left with crop tops and dresses; Public School emerged victorious at the CFDA awards; NBA athletes continued making post-game interviews just as entertaining as the on-court action; and Pharrell continued his reign at the top of the zeitgest with his trusty Vivienne Westwood hat. Amidst all the madness, which ten guys are on track to dominate the style arena when '14 is said and done for? The verdict is still out, but The Most Stylish Celebrities of 2014 (So Far) are all making strong cases.
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10. Michael B. Jordan
Michael B.'s a new addition, but how could we not honor the banner year he's been having? The wave of acclaim from his powerful performance in Fruitvale Station carried over to 2014 during awards season, during which he also took strides to make his mark in the mainstream. He put your chick under pressure in winter romcom That Awkward Moment and he's set to do the superhero thing by officially joining the Fantastic Four reboot. And throughout all the red carpets, talk shows, and increased exposure his style has matched his career trajectory. He can kill it on the menswear tip, and when he does dress down, it's with a perfect application of today's trends. Don't be surprised if he sticks around for the full-year round-up.
9. Jared Leto
Jared Letos's a weirdo, sure. Does that mean he can't dress himself, and do it well? Not in the least. Dude's out here flourishing hard with his hombre Jesus hair, alternating between normal 2014 fashionable man 'fits (read: lots of black and plaid tight clothing) and, well the type of vibrant shit you'd expect the lead singer of 30 Seconds to Mars to rock. It may be "out there," but it's never "eyesore." The whole point of having a personal sense of style is to express yourself and your individuality. No one can claim Leto isn't doing just that.
8. Victor Cruz
Famous athletes are almost exclusively gaudy dressers, but New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz proves to be the reliable diamond in the rough. Instead of simply draping himself in pieces that scream conspicuous consumption or the most attention-grabbing fits money can buy, V. Cruz is showing off his wide range of looks in what's shaping up to be yet another killer style year for him.
He can crush it on the menswear front at a formal event. Then he'll blend high streetwear and casual pieces while also flossing his eye for brands with something like John Elliott's Lima sweats, or completing a look with a pair of rugged Timbs. Settle in for the long haul—Vic's going to be a fixture on this list for years to come.
7. John Mayer
The Visvim gawd is sticking to his guns so far in 2014, and why shouldn't he? Every poppin' actress and singer Hollywood has to offer seems to pine after Mayer's fresh code of vis, cardigans, and pretty much all-hand-dyed-everything just fine. At this point, we can't name a Mayer track from the past few years, but when the dude is as consistently killing it as he is, who cares?
6. Drake
Remember when it was almost too easy to clown Drake on the style tip back in the day? Dude anti-flourished in everything from sweaters Mr. Rogers would curve to random style risk pieces that ultimately failed on sight. Welp, as The Boy comes to terms with being the guy in rap right now, so too has his style matured to match his status. No peacocking in Vegas or pauseworthy V-necks at awards shows.
Drizzy's been on a mostly achromatic wave with a steady stream of all black and/or white fits since 2013, and the style layups have carried over into the new year. He's also becoming known for rocking names that only men's style die-hards can recognize.Moreover, part of putting his team on has involved repping very hard for his homie OB O'Brien's TOPSZN movement. More often than not Drake's been killing it in his own brand, with fly OVO/SZN gear that's lowkey must-cop even if you could care less about their clique.
5. A$AP Ferg
Rocky may be the Mob general but Fergenstein is making his own musical and style mark just fine with his own brand of unique tastes that are unlike any other rapper out. Sure, Ferg puts his own spin on all-A$AP favorites like hockey jerseys. But he also shines regularly through his approach to streetwear, whether it's staying true to classic brands that he grew up on like Bape and Tommy Hilfiger, or mixing in rare cops from brands the rest of the game isn't even up on yet.
4. David Beckham
When it comes to style, the Beckhams are the royal family of England, all due respect to William and Kate. While other athlete/supermodel couples are being hindered by fails like this, Dave and Posh are unwavering in their floss game. Any year Beckham steps out enough for the paps to snap pics is a 99% guarantee he'll float through a "best dressed" list.
3. A$AP Rocky
That PMF pretty much only existed pop culturally in 2014 (so far) to stunt on you mortals. We've seen very little musically from Rocky but hopefully the back half of 2014 changes that considerably. In the meantime though, it's been straight flossing at the likes of the Met Ball, cliqued up with Fergenstein and the rest of tha Mob, or in these streets with wifey Chanel Iman. The guy who pretty much put mixing up highly-covetable luxury pieces with accessible streetwear on the map continued to flawlessly execute in the past six months.
2. Kanye West
The No Flashy Labels/Yeezus phase continued into 2014, as Kanye let his style mature into appropriately toned-down, married family man levels. That hasn't stopped the style risk-wins though, from his constant antagonizing of PETA to something like his blazer-leather shirt combo during Wedding Weekend. Nor has it stopped the influence, as Yeezy continues to set trends while proving he's the lord of layering. Meanwhile hypebeasts, Yeezus disciples, sneakerheads and pretty much everyone else await the unveiling of his work with adidas and A.P.C. with bated breath.
Is it ever not Yeezy season? As long as Kanye keeps doing what Kanye's doing, he'll be at or near the top of any "most stylish" list until other dudes start mastering the acts of finding and supporting unknown labels, taking wild risks that pay off, and sticking to what they know they like and what works for them.
1. Pharrell Williams
Does anyone even remember when and how that Vivienne Westwood hat made its debut? It's definitely gone from fly style risk to overdone and gimmicky (even though it outlived the memes) but if it's helping Skateboard P and his fire new album reach a wider audience, than so be it. And really, in lieu of the accessory uniform, Pharrell is still a pharaoh of this fashion shit. Fly streetwear alphets that effortlessly stand out from all of his peers, impeccable formal game, and he's pretty much the only dude who can take risks as wild as giant hats and traditionally feminine jewelry without batting an eye and outlasting the haters.
Plus, being in the middle of the pop culture spotlight has put P's fashion choices on full blast, with everyone from "The Today Show" to The New York Times breaking down what the VA-native is wearing. The general consensus from these v mainstream outlets to the deepest darkest corners of the Internet is that Pharrell can pull it all off. When your range is that wide and respected, then you deserve the crown...so far.
