No. 20: Barry Sanders throwback jersey, June 18, 2003, on MTV’s Total Request Live (TRL)

TRL was a late 1990s and early 2000s cultural icon for those too young to remember. Many of us, especially youngsters coming home from school, watched TRL for new music videos or D12’s “My Band” being No. 1 for 50 days. Eight days later, LeBron would shake David Stern’s hand as the 2003 NBA Draft’s top pick.

No. 19: White on white suit, June 26, 2003, at the NBA Draft

A bold NBA Draft look. Since Michael Jordan was gone, LeBron James was considered as the player with the best chance to emulate his journey. The hype was enormous, and LeBron wore a suit to match.

No. 18: Carolina blue suit with White shirt and open collar, July 14, 2004 at the ESPY awards

LeBron has become used to the ESPYs by now. LeBron went even further with an outfit that resembles the North Carolina head coach from another dimension. Since it’s July in Hollywood, James is unbuttoned. Functionality is important for LeBron James on and off the court.

No. 17: Open button-down, chain, and white undershirt at Roy Jones Jr. vs. Antonio Tarver Light Heavyweight Championship figҺt, May 15, 2004.

This is an early 2000s LeBron figҺt night suit, but his have gotten fancier. Button downs used to have white tees underneath; now they don’t. James’ style has matured, but this shape is a throwback to FigҺt Night-worthy white tees under button-downs.

No. 16: A tie to the ESPYs to go with a grey pinstripe suit and a pocket square alongside Eva Mendes, July 13, 2005

Every ESPY tends to make LeBron’s suit more extravagant. We can appreciate his purpose with the mint green shirt and tie with the pinstripe suit, but there’s too much going on. Red in the pocket square distracts. But fashion pioneers sometimes fail.

No. 15: Team USA Gear and block colored MLB cap in Sapporo, Japan, August 21, 2006

Due to LeBron James’ significant color-matching, I chose this one above his usual athletic attire. He missed with his ESPY suit, but matching colors top-to-bottom was essential in 2006. Were you alive in 2006 without a fitted MLB cap in one color?

No. 14: Linen jacket with an exaggerated collar at the BET Awards, June 27, 2006

LeBron is trying new stuff at summer award shows again. He’s moving from the ESPYs to the BET Awards red carpet with then-girlfriend and now wife Savannah. Watch for a young Rich Paul behind LeBron.

No. 13: Green and Black summer ensemble at ESPN The Magazine party with Tracy Morgan, July 11, 2006

Finally being of legal drinking age may have contributed to LeBron’s style growth. LeBron James would never use a phony ID, but now that he’s 21, he’s showing around and hаnging out with Tracy Morgan. Morgan is having an amazing 06-fit like LeBron. Remember to match colors to channel the mid-2000s. Check out LeBron’s long shorts!

No. 12: Rugby-style sweater at the ESPYs on July 11, 2007

Kanye West popularized Rugby-style attire for young Americans in the mid-2000s. LeBron’s preppy attire foreshadowed his future style. The 2005-06 NBA clothing code by David Stern may have caused this.

No. 11: LeBron James rocks leather jacket at “Last Chance For Change” Barack Obama concert with Jay-Z, October 29, 2008, at Quicken Loans Arena

Has anyone watched the Boondocks episode about the 2008 election? Like that, but with Jay-Z and LeBron James. It must have succeeded as Barack Obama won Ohio and became the first black president.

No. 10: LeBron James wears glasses now at Gucci Happy Hour during New York Fashion Week, September 16, 2009

The “nerd” or “geek” look is trendy as the decade ends. People who use spectacles became “interesting.” LeBron wore glasses during New York Fashion Week after LASIK in 2007. He didn’t need them, but nerdy was in. The tsunami Һit even The King.

No. 9: LeBron pulls up to South Beach with a tan suit, July 9, 2010

James’ style reflects his transfer from Cleveland to Miami. LeBron is steadily becoming Miami-ready. Before Barack Obama’s tan suit issue, LeBron and Bosh wore them. The Heat were cultural icons unlike previous NBA teams.

No. 8: LeBron hits the Oregon-USC football game at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, during the 2011 NBA Lockout, November 19, 2011

NBA owners locked out players in 2011 to negotiate a new CBA with the union. A week after LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and others went to Eugene for a highly anticipated Oregon-USC game, the lockout ended. LeBron lucked out with no rain and cold weather football luxury. USC defeated the Ducks that night, ending their National Championship ambitions. Personal note: I was upset after this game. Go Ducks.

No. 7: At the White House, January 28, 2013

LeBron James is bringing back his excess glasses for the official 2012 NBA Championship trip to the White House. Does it matter that LeBron doesn’t require glasses? Not really—he’ll keep rocking them. Both Serious Bron and the spectacles are permanent.

No. 6: Petty Bron taking a shot at the Boston Celtics with a Green flower lapel pin, January 14, 2014

Many sаy LeBron would only have two rings without Ray Allen’s 2013 NBA Finals shot. Yes, but Allen’s former Boston Celtics teammates still hate him. LeBron’s green flower lapel pin appears to be a jab at the Boston Celtics, who blocked him for years.

No. 5: Tech Fleece Bron shows up to basketball court dedication, September 25, 2014

LeBron James is back in Northeast Ohio. LeBron and his LeBron James Family Foundation never left the area, but James only confirmed his return to the Cavaliers a few months before this shot. After returning home, LeBron may relax in Nike Tech Fleece while dedicating a new basketball court.

No. 4: LeBron is going to Hogwarts

What if LeBron James attended Hogwarts? Thankfully, the off-night outfit above provides the answer

No. 3: LeBron goes back to throwback roots during 2016 Cleveland Indians World Series run, October 7, 2016

A few months after winning Cleveland its first title in 52 years, LeBron James throws out the first pitch for the Cleveland Indians in their playoff loss to the Chicago Cubs in Game 7.

No. 2: LeBron rocks tailored Thom Browne suit with suit shorts to Game 1 of the NBA Finals, May 31, 2018

LeBron James acquired Thom Browne outfits for the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2018 NBA Finals. Naturally, LeBron couldn’t wear a suit like everyone else. He wore a fitted Grey suit with tailored shorts in one of the boldest NBA Finals appearances. His next Finals performance was 51 points in an overtime defeat to the 2018 Warriors, possibly his best.

No. 1: LeBron in full L.A. Dad leisure for Anthony Davis’ introductory Lakers press conference, July 13, 2019

Today, LeBron James is from California. LeBron often wears a fitting cap or sweatshirt from his new zip codes. LeBron wears the Dad hat more often at non-basketball events like Lakers press conferences in the offseason.