Tyler the Creator x Dandyism by Alexis Norris
Menswear socialite of the 1790’s, Beau Brummell, has been credited for pioneering dandyism. According to Merriam-Webster, dandyism is a literary or artistic style of the latter 19th century marked by artificiality and refinement. The essence of dandyism is to "fascinate others, not yourself," and was enshrined as an "intellectual pose rather than fashionable consumption (Cicolini)." Brummell's admirers were captivated by his astonishing dress more than anything else. His philosophy was indifferent – "Brummell’s philosophical stance was to stand for nothing in particular (Cicolini)." Dandyism signals positioning and intellect rather than creative ideas or desires. The French defined dandyism through literature as a "positive practice and robust moral philosophy (Cicolini)." It’s more about refinement than fashion.
Tyler “Tyler the Creator” Okonma seems to reinvent his style with each album he releases, and his most recent album, Call Me If You Get Lost, has an undeniable dandy-esque aesthetic. Okonma’s sartorial blueprint starts with an ushanka hat, leads to a white tee with either a sweater or sweater vest over it, then trousers or trouser shorts. To top off the look: white socks and loafers. The primary accessory during the CMIYGL era was vintage luggage. Not only does this resemble the dandy aesthetic, but the way Tyler refines his style with each new project is dandyism in itself (with a creative nuance). The transitions in clothing style are not only to express a new idea, but more so to complement the album through signaling a new position, a new narrative. The art and style he develops to complement each of his albums is simply the illustration for the story and his character within the story. Appropriately enough, Okonma’s character in CMIYGL is named “Tyler Baudelaire,” a direct reference to French poet Charles Baudelaire. Baudelaire’s writings developed the understanding of dandyism as “an artistic presentation of the body related to the single-minded pursuit of bohemian individuality (Cicolini).” Okonma connects the promotion of himself and the promotion of his album's story, rather than social rank per historical dandyism. Tyler the Creator is undeniably a modern day dandy.
Cicolini, Alice. "Dandyism." The Berg Companion to Fashion. Ed. Valerie Steele . Oxford:
Bloomsbury Academic, 2010. Bloomsbury Fashion Central. Web. 16 Jan. 2023.
