HELLO SAY NEW TO THE RO SCUMB R POWE LE COUP
WHEN MOST PEOPLE get engaged, the only thing to change about their personal style is a diamond ring. Not Hailey Baldwin. Since it was announced in July that she will be getting hitched to Justin Bieber, the model has unleashed a look that’s got the fashion world watching.
In the past few weeks Hailey has Bieberfied her look, transforming from glossy Cali girl into something altogether grungier. Recent spots include: ugly trainers and several-sizestoo-big denim jackets, short shorts and hiking boots, even a windbreaker worn as a dress. It is a harmonious match-made-ina-jumble-sale with Justin’s own sloppy shorts, garish hoodies and hotel slippers. In fact, together, Hailey and Justin are the first couple of scumbro style.
Wait – rewind a moment, ‘ What exactly is a scumbro?’ we hear you asking. The name was coined by Vanity Fair’s ’s Kenzie Bryant as a ‘catch-all for the [outdoor apparel brand] Rei-clad trustafarian co-ed meets Supreme.’ In short: scumbroism is the next stage of normcore. It’s hype-worthy street brands mashed up with practical camping garb, tourist threads and a dash of eccentricity, all thrown together with a casual disregard for how things ‘should’ be worn. Rules? What rules? Pete Davidson, Jonah Hill and Shia Labeouf are arch scumbros. Paris Jackson, Sasha Lane, Kristen Stewart (sneakers with Chanel? Very scumbro) are their female counterparts (the scumhuns, perhaps?). Scumbro style is unhinged. It’s Hawaiian shirts and faded grey trackpants. It’s ‘I just woke up like this’ – literally. It’s baggy, it’s bold. And it takes serious swagger to pull it off – which is the appeal. And yet, scrimpers the scumbros ain’t – their looks are strewn with high-ticket, hard-to-find streetwear and designer labels. As Dolly Parton famously said ( kinda): ‘It takes a lot of money to look this scummy’. But by honing an overly casual, deliberately down-and-out look, they exhibit a casual disregard for the very labels they’re wearing. Only the person who is completely confident in themselves and unintimidated by luxury can pull off scumbro style; it’s no coincidence that this uniform has been adopted by a certain type of privileged Gen Z-er. Visiting the Biebs’ hometown last week, Hailey wore an XXL flannel shirt, white vest and baggy jeans. And which fine dining establishment did the multimillionaire couple choose to visit? Canadian doughnut chain Tim Hortons. In other words, a move which is vintage scumbro.