You thought autumn was great because it signals the return of the Champions League (and you’re right), but it also features fashion weeks in London, Paris and Milan. And for many footballers, including Manchester City’s Jérémy Doku, that is a big deal. The left winger’s unique dress sense intrigues his followers, and while head coach Pep Guardiola observes the Belgian during weekday training sessions, fashionistas scrutinise his every stitch off the turf, even on his journey to work. “I try to look my best for [going to] training. It’s always important to be well-dressed,” says the quicksilver wide man.
Naturally, he doesn’t chuck any old garb together. One bad choice and your street cred is a goal down. “I always want to make sure that the colours go well together and that I don’t just wear anything, even if I am not going to be photographed. I’ve always dressed well.” The former Anderlecht starlet oozes versatility. “I can rock streetwear, and tomorrow I might opt for a classic look. After that, I could go for sporty attire. I switch up my style each time. I focus on what I’m comfortable with and won’t wear anything I don’t understand.” City’s number 11 claims he gets his inspiration from Instagram and normal people, adding, “You don’t need to be famous or rich to dress well. People often think you need to wear luxury designer brands to dress well – but that’s missing the point.”
You thought autumn was great because it signals the return of the Champions League (and you’re right), but it also features fashion weeks in London, Paris and Milan. And for many footballers, including Manchester City’s Jérémy Doku, that is a big deal. The left winger’s unique dress sense intrigues his followers, and while head coach Pep Guardiola observes the Belgian during weekday training sessions, fashionistas scrutinise his every stitch off the turf, even on his journey to work. “I try to look my best for [going to] training. It’s always important to be well-dressed,” says the quicksilver wide man.
Naturally, he doesn’t chuck any old garb together. One bad choice and your street cred is a goal down. “I always want to make sure that the colours go well together and that I don’t just wear anything, even if I am not going to be photographed. I’ve always dressed well.” The former Anderlecht starlet oozes versatility. “I can rock streetwear, and tomorrow I might opt for a classic look. After that, I could go for sporty attire. I switch up my style each time. I focus on what I’m comfortable with and won’t wear anything I don’t understand.” City’s number 11 claims he gets his inspiration from Instagram and normal people, adding, “You don’t need to be famous or rich to dress well. People often think you need to wear luxury designer brands to dress well – but that’s missing the point.”
The overriding theme for football shirts – the versions the pros wear – has been ‘keep it tight’ for almost two decades. This figure-hugging tendency may explain Doku’s affinity for breathing room once the 90 minutes are over. “I like oversize fits. I don’t really like tight trousers or tight items of clothing. To be honest, I don’t often wear [classic] trousers or jeans – I wear tracksuits more, things like that. It goes well with my T-shirt and jumper,” explains the 22-year-old. Things weren’t always so rosy for the loose-fit legion: “I remember that there was a time when people wore skinny jeans. I don’t like that. Now, we’re at a stage where you wear baggy trousers that go over your shoes. It doesn’t mean that just because a trend is over that people stop dressing that way. If I like something, even if it’s not trendy, I’m going to continue to put it on and wear it in a different way.”
There is one sartorially magnificent being that makes Doku feel like a beginner: FC Barcelona and France defender Jules Koundé. “I really like the way Koundé dresses when the France squad meets up. His style suits him. I think he’s really inspired in how he dresses. I always wonder whether he only dresses like that for team events, or if he actually dresses like that every day when he goes out to restaurants. He’s always the talking point. Everyone wants to see how he’s dressed. He creates a buzz.” Closer to home, Doku chats togs with City pals Manuel Akanji and Rúben Dias, specifying “what Rúben wears might not be suitable for me, he has a different build and style, but I like how he dresses”.
With all this enthusiasm and knowledge, does Doku consider moving into the industry once he retires? “My own fashion label? I’ve never thought about it because it would take a lot of work. I’m not thinking about creating my own fashion brand yet. I just want to play football!” A letdown for those who dream of emulating his style, not to mention the poor souls who have to mark him.
You thought autumn was great because it signals the return of the Champions League (and you’re right), but it also features fashion weeks in London, Paris and Milan. And for many footballers, including Manchester City’s Jérémy Doku, that is a big deal. The left winger’s unique dress sense intrigues his followers, and while head coach Pep Guardiola observes the Belgian during weekday training sessions, fashionistas scrutinise his every stitch off the turf, even on his journey to work. “I try to look my best for [going to] training. It’s always important to be well-dressed,” says the quicksilver wide man.
Naturally, he doesn’t chuck any old garb together. One bad choice and your street cred is a goal down. “I always want to make sure that the colours go well together and that I don’t just wear anything, even if I am not going to be photographed. I’ve always dressed well.” The former Anderlecht starlet oozes versatility. “I can rock streetwear, and tomorrow I might opt for a classic look. After that, I could go for sporty attire. I switch up my style each time. I focus on what I’m comfortable with and won’t wear anything I don’t understand.” City’s number 11 claims he gets his inspiration from Instagram and normal people, adding, “You don’t need to be famous or rich to dress well. People often think you need to wear luxury designer brands to dress well – but that’s missing the point.”
You thought autumn was great because it signals the return of the Champions League (and you’re right), but it also features fashion weeks in London, Paris and Milan. And for many footballers, including Manchester City’s Jérémy Doku, that is a big deal. The left winger’s unique dress sense intrigues his followers, and while head coach Pep Guardiola observes the Belgian during weekday training sessions, fashionistas scrutinise his every stitch off the turf, even on his journey to work. “I try to look my best for [going to] training. It’s always important to be well-dressed,” says the quicksilver wide man.
Naturally, he doesn’t chuck any old garb together. One bad choice and your street cred is a goal down. “I always want to make sure that the colours go well together and that I don’t just wear anything, even if I am not going to be photographed. I’ve always dressed well.” The former Anderlecht starlet oozes versatility. “I can rock streetwear, and tomorrow I might opt for a classic look. After that, I could go for sporty attire. I switch up my style each time. I focus on what I’m comfortable with and won’t wear anything I don’t understand.” City’s number 11 claims he gets his inspiration from Instagram and normal people, adding, “You don’t need to be famous or rich to dress well. People often think you need to wear luxury designer brands to dress well – but that’s missing the point.”
You thought autumn was great because it signals the return of the Champions League (and you’re right), but it also features fashion weeks in London, Paris and Milan. And for many footballers, including Manchester City’s Jérémy Doku, that is a big deal. The left winger’s unique dress sense intrigues his followers, and while head coach Pep Guardiola observes the Belgian during weekday training sessions, fashionistas scrutinise his every stitch off the turf, even on his journey to work. “I try to look my best for [going to] training. It’s always important to be well-dressed,” says the quicksilver wide man.
Naturally, he doesn’t chuck any old garb together. One bad choice and your street cred is a goal down. “I always want to make sure that the colours go well together and that I don’t just wear anything, even if I am not going to be photographed. I’ve always dressed well.” The former Anderlecht starlet oozes versatility. “I can rock streetwear, and tomorrow I might opt for a classic look. After that, I could go for sporty attire. I switch up my style each time. I focus on what I’m comfortable with and won’t wear anything I don’t understand.” City’s number 11 claims he gets his inspiration from Instagram and normal people, adding, “You don’t need to be famous or rich to dress well. People often think you need to wear luxury designer brands to dress well – but that’s missing the point.”
The overriding theme for football shirts – the versions the pros wear – has been ‘keep it tight’ for almost two decades. This figure-hugging tendency may explain Doku’s affinity for breathing room once the 90 minutes are over. “I like oversize fits. I don’t really like tight trousers or tight items of clothing. To be honest, I don’t often wear [classic] trousers or jeans – I wear tracksuits more, things like that. It goes well with my T-shirt and jumper,” explains the 22-year-old. Things weren’t always so rosy for the loose-fit legion: “I remember that there was a time when people wore skinny jeans. I don’t like that. Now, we’re at a stage where you wear baggy trousers that go over your shoes. It doesn’t mean that just because a trend is over that people stop dressing that way. If I like something, even if it’s not trendy, I’m going to continue to put it on and wear it in a different way.”
There is one sartorially magnificent being that makes Doku feel like a beginner: FC Barcelona and France defender Jules Koundé. “I really like the way Koundé dresses when the France squad meets up. His style suits him. I think he’s really inspired in how he dresses. I always wonder whether he only dresses like that for team events, or if he actually dresses like that every day when he goes out to restaurants. He’s always the talking point. Everyone wants to see how he’s dressed. He creates a buzz.” Closer to home, Doku chats togs with City pals Manuel Akanji and Rúben Dias, specifying “what Rúben wears might not be suitable for me, he has a different build and style, but I like how he dresses”.
With all this enthusiasm and knowledge, does Doku consider moving into the industry once he retires? “My own fashion label? I’ve never thought about it because it would take a lot of work. I’m not thinking about creating my own fashion brand yet. I just want to play football!” A letdown for those who dream of emulating his style, not to mention the poor souls who have to mark him.
You thought autumn was great because it signals the return of the Champions League (and you’re right), but it also features fashion weeks in London, Paris and Milan. And for many footballers, including Manchester City’s Jérémy Doku, that is a big deal. The left winger’s unique dress sense intrigues his followers, and while head coach Pep Guardiola observes the Belgian during weekday training sessions, fashionistas scrutinise his every stitch off the turf, even on his journey to work. “I try to look my best for [going to] training. It’s always important to be well-dressed,” says the quicksilver wide man.
Naturally, he doesn’t chuck any old garb together. One bad choice and your street cred is a goal down. “I always want to make sure that the colours go well together and that I don’t just wear anything, even if I am not going to be photographed. I’ve always dressed well.” The former Anderlecht starlet oozes versatility. “I can rock streetwear, and tomorrow I might opt for a classic look. After that, I could go for sporty attire. I switch up my style each time. I focus on what I’m comfortable with and won’t wear anything I don’t understand.” City’s number 11 claims he gets his inspiration from Instagram and normal people, adding, “You don’t need to be famous or rich to dress well. People often think you need to wear luxury designer brands to dress well – but that’s missing the point.”
