Since the NBA instituted a dress code in 2005, the leagues’ best players have also become the biggest style icons. We took a look at how shoppers were inspired by players’ street style, just in time for the start of the 2019-2020 season. Here’s what we found.
The NBA’s best-dressed players have been flexing in coveted sneakers both on and off the court. From flashy to sophisticated, fans gravitated towards their favorite players’ kicks. To no surprise, Poshmark saw a surge in sneaker purchases and listings over the past year.
What were the top-selling sneaker brands on Poshmark during the 2018-2019 NBA season? Nike, Jordan, and Adidas led the charge, followed by Vans and Converse.
With nearly every NBA player making a statement with their footwear, players with brand partnerships boosted the sales of specific sneaker brands on Poshmark. Stephen Curry and James Harden helped drive sales for Under Armour and Adidas respectively, while P.J. Tucker, the NBA’s “Sneaker King,” drove interest in the most-hyped Nikes.
Who had the greatest impact on a brand based on the numbers? Stephen Curry and his partnership with Under Armour helped the brand climb three spots to the 7th most-purchased sneaker on Poshmark.
How players embraced business casual varied—from rocking florals and fedoras to turning out in vibrant glasses and button up shirts. Players like Iman Shumpert and Lebron James not only made “Best Dressed” lists, but also used tunnel fashion to elevate their brand off the court. Some of our favorite looks included hoodie-and-blazer pairings and full denim outfits.
The DeMatha look, also known as the hoodie-and-blazer NBA trend that Lebron James often rocks, also saw a boost on Poshmark. Listings of the two items increased 109% and 100%, respectively, compared to the year prior.
White denim was already hot, with purchases on Poshmark rising 56% in the last year—but Iman Shumpert made it even hotter. After his Vogue x GQ video shoot with wife Teyana Taylor, white denim sales climbed an extra 10%.
Player style was more attainable than ever with brand collaborations on the rise. Whether players were launching their own lines or partnering with established brands, fashion provided another opportunity for athletes to diversify their interests.
One of the most noted collaborations from the past year included Kevin Love’s BR/K.LOVE-18 Banana Republic menswear collection, with suit jackets standing out. Following the release, purchases of Banana Republic suit jackets increased 87% on Poshmark.
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry embraced his inner dad vibe going all-in on the golf aesthetic with an Under Armour collaboration. Purchases of polos increased 72% on Poshmark with Ralph Lauren, Nike, and Under Armour topping sales.
Get ready for the start of the season by shopping these looks and more on Poshmark now.
Data compares U.S. purchases and listings on Poshmark from Sept. 1, 2017 – Aug. 31, 2018 to Sept. 1, 2018 – Aug. 31, 2019.