If you're wondering why Western-inspired outfits have been taking over the red carpet lately, you can thank Lil Nas X [1]. The enigmatic singer has been delivering one cowboy-inspired look after look since breaking into the music scene in 2018 through TikTok with his song "Old Town Road," which features Billy Ray Cyrus. On the fashion front, the 24-year-old star has made his mark with bold, bedazzled suits which he often pairs with colourful cowboy boots and hats. At the 2019 Grammys, he wore a leather Barbie pink Versace suit [2], complete with a buckled leather harness and two silk scarfs tied around his wrists, and he later went on stage to perform in a silver sequined suit [3]. Casual.
Lil Nas X's Instagram account [4] is also full of standout outfits including a pink fuzzy puffer coat and a lime green jacket styled with a "Rick and Morty" T-shirt. He even includes hidden messages with his looks at times, paying homage to friend Jack Harlow after the rapper celebrated him at the BET Awards [5] and honouring Karl Lagerfeld's cat Choupette [6] at the 2023 Met Gala. His winning sartorial streak isn't going unnoticed by brands either: he recently became the face of Coach, starring in their "Courage To Be Real" campaign [7] in a fuzzy purple jacket and a cream handbag.
Indeed he is pushing boundaries when it comes to fashion, breaking conventional notions of gendered style. In an interview with People Magazine, the "Montego" rapper discussed his impact [8]. "Style is a form of self-expression. I was really nervous about going out on stage in front of my family and everybody in my cute, little Coach skirt. But as soon as I walked out, I felt like I was setting my younger self free. [...] I feel like I'm changing some minds."
Most recently, he made a surprise appearance at the Coach Foundation's annual "Dream Day," conference, wearing a cropped leather jacket with flared ripped jeans. The event, which is the signature conference for the Dream It Real initiative, hosted scholars from the Coach Foundation's partner organisations Opportunity Network, Bottom Line, Point Foundation, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), and the Hetrick-Martin Institute at Coach's headquarters. It included a day of mentorship, networking and professional development — as well as a styling session with Lil Nas X's stylist, Matthew Mazur.
Ahead, keep reading to see some of Lil Nas X's best style moments.
Lil Nas X at the Coach Foundation's Annual "Dream Day," June 2023
Lil Nas X leaned into the men's crop top trend in an abbreviated leather jacket and flared ripped jeans at the Coach Foundation's annual "Dream Day," conference on 12 June, 2023.
Lil Nas X at the Grammys, January 2020
Lil Nas X wore a Barbie-pink leather outfit by Versace [10] complete with pink cowboy boots to the 2020 Grammys.
Lil Nas X at the iHeartRadio Music Festival, September 2019
Lil Nas X truly commits to a look. Case in point? The blue flame outfit that came with matching sneakers he wore to the iHeartRadio Music Festival in 2019.
Lil Nas X at the VMAs, August 2019
Lil Nas X is not one to shy away from experimenting with fashion, and he did just that when he arrived on the red carpet of the 2019 Video Music Awards in a sparkly Christian Cowan suit [11].
Lil Nas X at the BET Awards, June 2019
For the 2019 BET Awards, Lil Nas X wore this black-and-yellow fringe look that embodied cool.
Lil Nas X at the American Music Awards, November 2019
During the American Music Awards in 2019, Lil Nas X wore this lime green and zebra-printed suit [12] by Christopher John Rogers.
Lil Nas X at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards, November 2019
Lil Nas X attended the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards in a white-on-white suit designed by Off-White with matching nail polish [13].
Lil Nas X at the VMAs, August 2019
All red everything! Lil Nas X switched up his look at the 2019 VMAs in this red suit and cowboy hat while collecting his first-ever awards from the iconic MTV awards show.
Lil Nas X at the CMA Awards, November 2019
Here's Lil Nas X wearing a black shirt with silver fringe embellishments and cowboy boots — a fitting look for the CMA Awards in 2019.
Lil Nas X at the "Variety" Hitmakers Brunch, December 2019
Lil Nas X went for a full tangerine look during "Variety"'s Hitmakers Brunch in 2019.
Lil Nas X at the GQ Men of the Year Awards, December 2019
Who says mesh is so '00s? Lil Nas X brought back the trend during the "GQ" Men of the Year event in December 2019.
Lil Nas X at the Tom Ford Fashion Show, February 2020
Not only does Lil Nas X know how to pose, but he can pull off a colourful Tom Ford suit with ease, as seen at the brand's February 2020 fashion show.