Quin Snyder is Leading the NBA Out of Pandemic Fashion
Quin Snyder breezed into the State Farm Arena media room before a late-season matchup between the Atlanta Hawks and the Memphis Grizzlies on March 26. The veteran coach's relaxed demeanor often belies his fiery level of competitiveness.
Snyder wore black pants to match his fleece vest and long-sleeve shirt. In addition to being an innovator during games, the 56-year-old is leading the league with his sartorial style on and off the hardwood.
When asked about his coaching staff's newfound propensity for wearing black, Snyder laughed it off by saying, "I'm living in a hotel, and it's hard for me to get my clothes cleaned. And I drink a lot of coffee, so when I spill, no one can tell. And the guys on the staff are amendable enough... they're understanding of that, and they work with me."
Snyder may struggle to find time for laundry, but he has no problem staying clean at all times. Since the pandemic, the NBA has enticed coaches with a more-relaxed, business-casual dress code that doubles as free advertisement for the league's officially licensed apparel supplier - Nike.
The results have been disastrous. Some coaches squeeze into quarter-zips two sizes too small, while others give even less effort by wearing crew neck sweaters and t-shirts. If we keep heading in this direction, we will soon see coaches wearing hoodies and cookie monster pajama pants during the NBA Finals.
But much like the rest of the world, Snyder appears ready to move beyond the Pandemic phase of fashion. Look no further than his Ferragamo belts and sneakers from Golden Goose or Veja.
Quin Snyder during a game.
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
During Sunday evening's win over the Dallas Mavericks, Snyder snubbed the Swoosh altogether. Yes, he wore a polo shirt, but it was devoid of all the garish logos and branding that has turned NBA coaching staff into NASCAR pit crews.
Men's suits are increasingly reserved for the most formal occasions in society. People understandably want to be comfortable, especially when working. There is no practical reason for returning to the Mad Men era of wearing ties to breakfast, despite what grindset guys on TikTok may want you to believe.
Like basketball, men make mistakes when trying to do too much with their choice of clothing. Luckily for swagger-less dudes everywhere, Snyder is providing the playbook for dressing for the occasion.
