Soccer king Cristiano Ronaldo is not one for subtlety. On the field he's known for outrageous moves and free kicks that arc like meteors. Off the field, Ronaldo rocks
fashion-forward looks that few others could pull off, like the blue python-skin jacket he brought to his Men's Health cover photo shoot in Madrid.
But there's a method to his brashness. His bold play intimidates opponents, and his bold style exudes assertiveness. "The most important thing is wearing what helps you feel confident," says Ronaldo, whose favorite designers include Dsquared2 and Dolce & Gabbana. "Wear what you like, not what fashion dictates. I try to be true to myself. Of course, your style changes and evolves. It becomes more refined as you get older, but your taste remains the same.
"One thing that is very important to me now is quality," he adds. "I like clothes that have been well made and use top-quality materials. I have always liked colors and still do." That approach extends to his new underwear line, CR7, which uses a blend of 95 percent cotton and 5 percent Lycra; some styles feature 100 percent microfiber. "When I get dressed, I like to feel good from the first thing I put on to the last," says Ronaldo. "Foundations are very important."
To launch the line, Ronaldo teamed up with New York City designer Richard Chai and Danish boutique brand JBS, which has 75 years of experience making underwear. Chai, who founded his own label and has also collaborated with Filson and Original Penguin, wanted to create something uniquely Ronaldo—sporty, bold, creative. So he traveled to Spain and watched Ronaldo's club team, Real Madrid, play a match against Seville. "Cris scored a hat trick in a wild 7-3 win. That's the energy and athleticism I want the brand to explore," says Chai.
In the CR7 collection, you'll see bright color blocks, sporty designs, dynamic prints, and technical details, like contrast bindings and ombre shading on the waistbands. A stroll through the underwear department at Macy's reveals a secret that Victoria might envy: Men have more underwear options than ever, with the waistband serving as its own style statement. (Not that we're endorsing whale tails for men.)
"The average guy wants more than just basics now," says Chai. Some of it is practical: You should wear trunks or briefs with skinny jeans or Euro-cut chinos. But underwear is also another way to express your style, says Chai. "You could be wearing a conservative suit with a bold pair of trunks underneath." Steal these other tips to score still more accessory points.
Belief Bling
Ronaldo has often been spotted wearing a rosary-bead necklace. Donning jewelry that holds spiritual or personal meaning, whether it's religious or nostalgic—like a memento from a trip—is one way to express your personality, says Megan Collins of the men's fashion website Style Girlfriend. "Women wear baubles that hold no sentimental attachment at all; they simply add interest to an outfit. But men wearing accessories for accessories' sake is still taboo. Accessories with a backstory always score extra style points."
Ronaldo has often been spotted wearing a rosary-bead necklace. Donning jewelry that holds spiritual or personal meaning, whether it's religious or nostalgic—like a memento from a trip—is one way to express your personality, says Megan Collins of the men's fashion website Style Girlfriend. "Women wear baubles that hold no sentimental attachment at all; they simply add interest to an outfit. But men wearing accessories for accessories' sake is still taboo. Accessories with a backstory always score extra style points."
Steve Jobs 2.0
Apple's head honcho wore a daily uniform of jeans and a black mock turtle-neck, an example of finding your look and sticking with it. But an upgrade to that approach is to find a look you like and then purchase it in every available color. This approach works for jeans, chinos, jackets, shoes, and sneakers alike. Ronaldo extends it to aviator-style sunglasses; he sports classic metal frames as well as white and red plastic versions. "Whatever makes getting dressed well in the morning easier," Collins says.
Apple's head honcho wore a daily uniform of jeans and a black mock turtle-neck, an example of finding your look and sticking with it. But an upgrade to that approach is to find a look you like and then purchase it in every available color. This approach works for jeans, chinos, jackets, shoes, and sneakers alike. Ronaldo extends it to aviator-style sunglasses; he sports classic metal frames as well as white and red plastic versions. "Whatever makes getting dressed well in the morning easier," Collins says.
Wabi-Sabi Wrist Candy
Wabi sabi is a Japanese expression that refers to the beauty in imperfections. Ronaldo, a brand partner with TAG Heuer, has a big-time watch collection. To balance the perfect movements, precise numbering, and shiny metal, he often wears a simple leather bracelet. "If you're rocking a chunky watch, then you need to contrast it on your other wrist," says Collins. "You don't want your jingling jewelry to make an entrance before you do."
Wabi sabi is a Japanese expression that refers to the beauty in imperfections. Ronaldo, a brand partner with TAG Heuer, has a big-time watch collection. To balance the perfect movements, precise numbering, and shiny metal, he often wears a simple leather bracelet. "If you're rocking a chunky watch, then you need to contrast it on your other wrist," says Collins. "You don't want your jingling jewelry to make an entrance before you do."
Rocking with the best!
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