Style History: André 3000

Image via Complex Original

Where: Atlanta, GA
When: 1993
Complex Says: Pause on his pose, but like Nas rhymed on Illmatic, "When I dress, it's never nothing less than Guess."

Where: New York, NY
When: 1993
Complex Says: In his early days, Three Stacks was donning jerseys alongside Big Boi.

Where: Atlanta, GA
When: 1994
Complex Says: André 3000, proud Atlanta native.

Where: "Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik" video
When: 1994
Complex Says: In the video of the classic album's eponymous single, André and Big Boi put ATL on the map. With an album that spoke to their Dirty South roots, it was only fitting that both members of OutKast rocked Atlanta jerseys and caps throughout the early '90s.

Where: Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik era
When: 1994
Complex Says: Did André ever take this jersey off? Must've been his lucky charm, or maybe he wasn't caking yet from album sales.

Where: ATLiens era
When: 1996
Complex Says: The first instance of Three Stacks getting weird with it. The boots, the socks, the gloves—all signs of things to come.

Where: Aquemini era
When: 1997
Complex Says: Here we have André stepping out as a dude not scared to explore and develop personal style. The OutKast member definitely provided a breath of fresh air from the otherwise somewhat monotonous hip-hop style of the late '90s.

Where: Stankonia era
When: 2000
Complex Says: André brought in the 21st century on some real wild futuristic style shit. No one else was doing anything like this at the time, and no one was quite sure what to make of it except to wait on his next appearance.

Where: Stankonia era
When: 2000
Complex Says: This look definitely draws inspiration from Jimi Hendrix, foreshadowing André's cinematic role that would occur 12 years later.

Where: 2001 MTV VMAs
When: September 2001
Complex Says: Looks like André's influencing his partiner-in-crime, Big Boi. Dope? Or clowns?

Where: MTV Mardi Gras Party
When: February 2002
Complex Says: If you've ever been to Mardi Gras, you know some wild shit goes down. Three Stacks definitely got in the mix of things with this futuristic cowboy look.

Where: 2003 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas
When: December 2003
Complex Says: At this point in time, Three Stacks was definitely on his Ziggy Stardust tip, but this look was a peek into his future #menswear predilection.

Where: Grammy Awards
When: February 2004
Complex Says:  Scratch all that. With the massive success of The Love Below, André's crazy looks were everywhere. Whenever performing "Hey Ya!" the MC definitely rocked outfits that almost distracted the audience's attention away from the incredibly catchy joint. Almost.

Where: Kids Choice Awards
When: April 2004
Complex Says: In the future, this is how all marching band leaders and circus ringmasters will dress.

Where: FACE Magazine Cover
When: May 2004
Complex Says: Even for André, this was a wild and awesome look. 

Where: MTV Europe Music Awards
When: November, 2004
Complex Says: Here's the beginning of André's move away from Martian style icon and drifting back to his Earth-bound steez. 

Where: Be Cool Screening
When: June 2005 
Complex Says: André single-handedly made suspenders have their moment, which was kind of unfortunate in hindsight.

Where: ESPY Awards
When: July 2005 
Complex Says: As he developed a dandy look, suspenders became the MC's uniform. He is, after all, a southern gentleman at heart.

Where: Filming of Idlewild
When: 2006
Complex Says: For the few of us that saw Idlewild, do we all agree that this film was just an excuse for André 3000 and Big Boi to play dress up? Not to say that the throwback style wasn't appreciated...

Where: BET Awards
When: June 2006 
Complex Says: Looking back, the disparaging style between the two was probably a sign of the different directions André 3000 and Big Boi would take both sartorially and professionally. Like their semi-permanent hiatus, the raccoon tail is something that also should never have happened.

Where: TRL
When: August 2006
Complex Says: It's the return of Three Stacks putting on for his city! That jacket is a huge risk, but with the simple gingham shirt and muted chinos, it definitely all comes together well.

Where: Charlotte's Web Screening
When: December 2006
Complex Says: For a second there, it looked like André was going to stay away from the weirdness. Frankly, we're glad this bug-eyed poncho look made an appearance, as it reminded us to never sleep on Three Stacks' steez.

Where: Battle in Seattle Screening
When: September 2007
Complex Says: At first look, this outfit is relatively simple. But the devil is in the details, and André's never been one for simple kits. The rope belt, the hat's drawstring, and some masculine wristwear all ensure that this look requires much more than just a cursory glance.

Where: Semi-Pro Premiere
When: February 2008
Complex Says: We can't praise the man for participating in Semi-Pro, but we will applaud this red carpet look. A leather varsity jacket over a crisp white T-shirt will always work, and the simple chain and crisp hat finish off the entire kit.

Where: Fashion Rock 2008
When: September 2008
Complex Says: Three Stacks used the Fashion Rocks charity event to show off pieces from his Benjamin Bixby brand. Black and brown isn't something we always co-sign, but André, as usual, makes it work.

Where: UNICEF Benefit
When: Fall 2008
Complex Says: It's a near-impossible task, but André's dope suit somehow makes us look away from Rihanna. That tie is bananas, and pulling it off so well is no easy feat. Okay, now back to RiRi.

Where: Benjamin Bixby launch event at Barneys
When: Fall 2008
Complex Says: André's Benjamin Bixby line was on-trend with the #menswear movement of the late 2000s, and this relaxed southern dandy look was what the collection aimed for. The brand didn't last long, but it hasn't slowed down the MC's fashion aspirations.

Where: Belvedere IX Launch Party at The Bowery Hotel
When: February 2009
Complex Says:  Rakish prep done well. 

Where: Benjamin Bixby Spring 2009 collection launch event.
When: March, 2009
Complex Says: Back in '09, it was the ultimate sign of masculinity to rock pink with confidence. And if you had any doubt that he could pull it off, yes, André's cool enough to rock shades indoors.

Where: Backstage at T.I.'s Final Countdown Concert
When: May 2009
Complex Says: So what do you wear to a homie's farewell party before he goes upstate? Three Stacks executed it perfectly, keeping it simple and classy while saying peace to T.I.

Where: New York, NY
When: 2011
Complex Says: Rocking vintage military is always stylish, but everything is best in moderation. Piling on the olive drab and camo might make you look like a psycho, and André knows to keep it simple with just one army-inspired overshirt with more casual pieces.

Where: Filming "All Is By My Side" the Jimi Hendrix Biopic in Dublin, Ireland
When: May 2012
Complex Says: The shin-length overcoat is sick. We'll file the kerchief look under "André being André."

Where: New York, NY
When: November 2012
Complex Says: Denim on denim is never a bad thing, and André adds his own twist, as usual. The denim jumpsuit under the denim jacket is best attempted by experts only.

Where: Coachella 2014, Weekend One
When: April 11, 2014
Complex Says: Dre took it to hip-hop's and his own style's roots with a hoodie under the overalls. Strange that Big Boi's flashy Dr Romanelli 'fit averted eyes away from André's get-up.

Where: Coachella 2014, Weekend Two
When: April 19, 2014
Complex Says: Now this is the weirdness we've come to know and love from Three Stacks. Wearing something no one else would even attempt is a signature move that we can only hope we see more of as OutKast continues touring this summer.