Ayrton Oneill
Basketball shorts have undergone massive changes over the years, reflecting the sport's openness to change and innovation. The trend of long basketball shorts can be traced back to Michael Jordan, who inspired a shift towards longer and baggier shorts, marking a major alteration in basketball fashion. Jordan's appeal for longer shorts was further popularized by the Fab Five, a group of freshmen at the University of Michigan who became a sensation in the early 1990s for their below-the-knee shorts. This trend dominated the basketball scene for years, with players embracing the baggy and loose style. However, in recent times, there has been a shift back towards shorter and skinnier shorts, influenced by off-court trends and a younger generation of players.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for the trend | Michael Jordan thought they looked cooler |
| Who started the trend | Michael Jordan |
| Other influencers | The Fab Five, a group of freshmen at the University of Michigan |
| When did it start | Early 1990s |
| How long did the trend last | Around 20 years |
| When did the trend start to change | 2016 |
| Who influenced the change | Kelly Oubre Jr., LeBron James, Jalen Rose |
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What You'll Learn
Michael Jordan's influence on the trend
Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time. His influence on the game of basketball is undeniable, as fans and players alike aimed to emulate him. Jordan's popularity fuelled basketball's global growth, and he is credited with setting multiple fashion trends in the NBA.
Jordan's influence on basketball shorts began with a superstition. He wore his University of North Carolina practice shorts under his Chicago Bulls uniform for every game. As his UNC shorts wouldn't fit under his Bulls shorts, he had to wear baggy, knee-length Bulls shorts instead. This broke the mould set by players before him, and soon these extra-long shorts became the favoured style.
Jordan approached Champion, the manufacturer of NBA uniforms, and requested longer shorts. He explained that the tight shorts that were used didn't allow athletes to grip them while they tried to catch their breath. Champion obliged and released longer shorts, which remain a basketball staple today.
Jordan's longer shorts were also emulated by a group of freshmen at the University of Michigan known as the "Fab Five", who became a national sensation in the early 1990s due in part to their sartorial swagger. The Fab Five explained that they wore the long shorts because they wanted to be like Mike.
Jordan's influence extended beyond basketball shorts, as he also played a significant role in popularising the shaved head look, gold chains, and baggy suits. Additionally, his impact on footwear is well-known, with his Air Jordan sneakers leading to his own Jordan Brand.
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The Fab Five freshmen at the University of Michigan
The Fab Five started all together for the first time in a game against Notre Dame in February 1992, where they scored all 74 of Michigan's points. This was a significant moment as it challenged the notion that freshmen players couldn't lead college teams. The team's popularity further exploded when Michigan signed a sponsorship deal with Nike, helping to elevate the profile of college basketball and the players themselves.
The Fab Five reached the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship games in both 1992 and 1993, but their wins were vacated due to sanctions related to Webber accepting financial aid, which compromised his amateur status. Despite their talent, they never won a Big Ten Regular Season Championship or NCAA Championship during their time at Michigan.
The group's impact extended beyond the basketball court. They were the subjects of the highest-rated ESPN Films documentary ever produced, "The Fab Five," and their merchandise sales were incredibly successful, even surpassing those of the 1988-89 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team. Four of the five members went on to play in the NBA, with three of them becoming NBA All-Stars.
The Fab Five's style, talent, and attitude left a lasting impact on the sport and helped to grow the popularity of college basketball during the 1990s. They challenged conventions, both in terms of their fashion choices and their on-court dominance as freshmen players.
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The hip-hop era's influence on basketball fashion
Basketball fashion has been influenced by hip-hop culture, with the two becoming intertwined over the past few decades. The connection between the two started in 1984 when Kurtis Blow referenced Julius Erving and Moses Malone in his hit single "Basketball". The long chains, baggy clothing, flat-brimmed hats, and du-rags symbolic of hip-hop started to develop ties with the NBA.
Hip-hop culture has influenced the fashion, music, and marketing of the NBA. The league has used hip-hop music, fashion, and culture to appeal to younger audiences and expand its fan base. For example, the league's relationship with hip-hop artist and Toronto Raptors fan Drake has resulted in various marketing initiatives, including the creation of a special edition Raptors jersey. The NBA has also used hip-hop culture to promote its All-Star Weekend events, often featuring hip-hop performances and collaborations between hip-hop artists and players.
On-court fashion often reflects general fashion trends, and due to basketball's roots as a street sport, street fashion is particularly influential for players. During the hip-hop era, when baggy clothing was in style, basketball players began to wear longer, baggier shorts. Michael Jordan inspired a major alteration when he appealed for a longer and baggier cut, and the Fab Five, a group of freshmen at the University of Michigan, became a national sensation in the early 1990s due in part to their sartorial swagger, with shorts that dropped below their knees. By the end of the 1990s, short shorts were taboo.
In recent years, however, there has been a shift back towards shorter and skinnier shorts, with players like Kelly Oubre Jr. and LeBron James choosing to wear them higher above their knees. This change reflects a countermovement against the baggy shorts trend and a desire to present a more professional appearance.
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The shift away from long and baggy shorts
Basketball shorts have undergone massive changes over the years, reflecting the sport's openness to change and innovation. The shift from long and baggy shorts to shorter and tighter styles is no exception. This evolution can be attributed to several factors, including changing fashion trends, player preferences, and a new generation's comfort with tighter clothing.
The long and baggy shorts trend in basketball can be traced back to Michael Jordan and the "Fab Five", a group of freshmen at the University of Michigan who became a sensation in the early 1990s for their basketball skills and fashion sense. Jordan's influence on basketball fashion was significant, with players wanting to imitate his style. He inspired a major shift when he appealed for longer and baggier shorts, and this preference for baggy clothing extended beyond the court, with oversized clothes also popular in the hip-hop era.
However, by the early 2010s, a subtle countermovement began to emerge. Players, particularly in high school and college, started opting for shorter and skinnier shorts, reflecting the latest off-court trends. This shift was also influenced by a new generation of players who were more comfortable with tighter clothing. Kelly Oubre Jr., a Washington Wizards rookie, was among the first in the NBA to embrace shorter shorts during practices and pre-game warm-ups, and he continues this approach during games, albeit with slightly longer shorts.
The move away from long and baggy shorts is also influenced by a desire to present a more professional appearance on the court. LeBron James, for example, announced he would wear skinnier and shorter shorts during his 13th season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, marking a deliberate shift towards a more polished look. This trend is not limited to the NBA, as college basketball players are also driving the shift towards shorter shorts, with some rolling up their waistbands or choosing smaller sizes to achieve the desired length.
While the baggy shorts era had its moment, the evolving nature of basketball fashion suggests that the shorter and tighter style is likely to gain traction. As Long Nguyen, co-founder of Flaunt magazine, observes, basketball fashion is heavily influenced by street fashion, and players are often at the forefront of these trends, setting the pace for the wider fashion industry.
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The role of street fashion in basketball
Basketball has evolved into more than just a sport; it has become a cultural force that has left an indelible mark on various sectors of society, including fashion, particularly streetwear. The convergence of basketball and streetwear fashion has become a worldwide cultural sensation. The influence of basketball on fashion is undeniable and far-reaching, extending from the music and film industries to the political sphere, with its imprint particularly evident in hip-hop culture.
The relationship between basketball and hip-hop runs deep, with the sport and the music genre playing significant roles in urban communities since the rise of hip-hop in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Basketball players are often featured in hip-hop music videos, and the game is frequently referenced in lyrics. NBA jerseys and the music industry are like a "match made in fashion heaven", with rappers and hip-hop artists not only casually wearing basketball jerseys but also incorporating them into their on-stage performances and music videos.
The rise of street style and athleisure has played a pivotal role in propelling the basketball fashion trend. Athleisure, which combines athletic wear with leisure clothing, prioritises comfort, functionality, and style, making it a perfect match for basketball fashion. The popularity of athleisure has made it fashionable and acceptable to wear sportswear beyond the gym or the basketball court, blurring the lines between athletic wear and everyday attire.
Basketball sneakers, in particular, have become highly sought-after collectibles, with rare and limited-edition shoes often fetching high prices on the resale market. For example, Michael Jordan's 1998 NBA Finals shoes sold for 2.2 million. Additionally, basketball jerseys have evolved from being a mere sign of allegiance to a powerful fashion statement, with high-street and luxury brands replicating their style.
In terms of on-court fashion, basketball players have historically drawn inspiration from street fashion, especially during the hip-hop era, when baggy and oversized clothing was in vogue. Michael Jordan, for instance, inspired a major alteration in basketball shorts when he appealed for a longer and baggier cut. This trend was further popularised by the "Fab Five", a group of freshmen at the University of Michigan who became a national sensation in the early 1990s, not only for their basketball skills but also for their sartorial swagger, with their shorts dropping below their knees. However, in recent years, there has been a shift towards shorter and skinnier shorts, both among amateur and professional players, reflecting changing trends in street fashion.
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Frequently asked questions
Michael Jordan is credited with starting the long basketball shorts trend when he appealed for a longer and baggier cut.
Michael Jordan inspired a major alteration when he appealed for a longer and baggier cut, which he thought looked cooler. This was a fashion statement outside of the game of basketball, and so the change was implemented.
Yes, Jordan's influence extended beyond basketball shorts. His new style of shorts and sneakers became so popular that people tried to imitate him. The NBA briefly tried to prevent this by mandating that shorts end one inch above the knee, but the rule was soon revoked.
