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Dominic Calvert-Lewin talks suits, skinny jeans and self-expression
“One fashion trend I’d bring back? People wearing suits more. Whenever I see a grandad, you know, sixty-plus in a suit for no reason, I just find it really cool,” says Dominic Calvert-Lewin, football’s flyest grooming advocate.
It’s a surprisingly sunny day in Manchester and the Everton forward is speaking from the comfort of his living room, a stark contrast to the studio settings and bright lights he has become accustomed to since his rise as a pioneer of men’s self-expression. Having laid out the outfits of choice across his bedroom with each created to compliment a different grooming style, the Sheffield-born baller opts for a two-piece cashmere set for his first look, foreshadowing the style evolution he would later detail.
Though not quite touching his sixty-plus grandad era just yet, the 25-year-old has built a strong reputation for his ability to rock a suit, something many footballers are yet to dare explore. “Other players rocking suits? I don’t think I’ve seen it funnily enough,” he says with a wide smile. “But it’s like anything, if you’re going to put something on, you’ve got to feel comfortable otherwise you’re going to look awkward.”
For most players, the new-found freedom gained from their breakthrough into the professional game opens the doorway to an interest in fashion. For Calvert-Lewin, his journey with self-expression began way before that. “I think I’ve always been interested in fashion,” he admits.
“From when I was a kid, I always liked my school bags to be a little bit different from everybody else. I had these bright-coloured trainers and I always used to wear adidas shell-toes actually, which I always took pride in. So yeah, my interest probably started in my school days.”
“My teenage style?” Calvert-Lewin responds with a grin as the forgotten memories come flooding back. “Skinny jeans. Lots and lots and lots of skinny jeans,” he laughs.
“Oversized t-shirts and Vans too. From my mid-teens to late teens, that was my style really. I didn’t really know much else. I played it quite safe. I’ve not put a pair of skinny jeans on for a long, long time. I’m not sure I’d be able to pull them off now, I think I’d look strange.”
Having ditched the skinny jeans, comfort is now at the heart of Calvert-Lewin’s everyday style. Since gaining the label of a boundary-breaker within men’s fashion for his opinion-dividing outfits in previous magazine covers to his Chanel accessories spotted across Instagram, the Toffees number nine admits his style has constantly evolved since breaking onto the scene.
“I think it’s been something that has happened naturally,” Calvert-Lewin tells me. “As you grow and as you get older, any person in any walk of life, you’re constantly evolving and changing so I think my style, my fashion and what I wear now is different to what I wore even two years ago.”
“It’s funny how I see myself from when I first started doing shoots and things like that and what I’m wearing to what I wear now and how that’s evolved, even from then.”
Calvert-Lewin’s style evolution is not limited to just his clothing choices, though. Since his fresh-faced Blues debut back in 2016, ‘DCL’ as many now call him has since become the first-ever UK ambassador for grooming brand Braun with a paired vision of pushing self-expression and individualism amongst men.
“At first it starts off as you want to grow a beard so you look older,” he explains. “And then when you do grow one, you actually are that little bit older so you’ve got to start taking care of it.”
When people talk about style – in particular athlete style – grooming can often find itself as an overlooked trait with many undervaluing its importance and contribution to an outfit. This is something Calvert-Lewin is keen to change alongside Braun. “I believe grooming is an extension of yourself,” he tells me.
“Depending on how you groom yourself, your haircut and how your beard is trimmed, it can dictate how you feel and can really complete your outfit. There’s no better feeling than getting a fresh trim, a beard shape up and putting on a new outfit. For what that can do for your confidence and how it can make you feel, it’s amazing. For me, when I’m thinking of a fit, my grooming is a huge factor in that process and putting everything together is something I really enjoy.”
“Being free, being who you want to be and dressing how you want to dress is a huge thing and I think it comes over time. The more you edge towards who you want to be by experimenting with fashion and grooming, the more it ends up coming naturally to you. Braun are huge on pushing self-expression and individualism as a man and we share the belief that grooming is a vital part of someone’s sense of style, which was a big reason why it made so much sense to work alongside them.”
As someone without the luxury of being able to grow a beard just yet, I ask Calvert-Lewin for his number one grooming tip for both myself and my fellow beard-growing strugglers for when that long-awaited day finally arrives. “Brush your beard,” he says without any hesitation.
“You need to brush your beard from early. That way, when it gets a little bit longer, it’s really healthy. Once you get it healthy, Braun’s all-in-one trimmer is my go-to for a shape up and if I’m going clean-shaven, then it’s the Braun Series-7. I also use natural argan oil on my beard too.”
Notes taken.
One of the most significant elements of fashion and grooming is the art of self-expression and individualism. Yet, the ability to take inspiration from others is a hugely underrated trait in itself. Whilst it’s evident Calvert-Lewin stands in his own unique lane in the football x fashion scene, I ask who he is inspired by when it comes to curating the style he is now renowned for.
“My fashion influences come from all over the place, to be honest, so it’s dependent on what kind of style it is,” admits Calvert-Lewin. “For streetwear, A$AP Rocky is one of the top ones that probably a lot of people say.”
“When it comes to suits, I draw inspiration from the 1970s really. That’s how I like to wear my suits. Grooming-wise, I’d say David Beckham. He’s aged pretty well, I don’t think you can argue with that so yeah, I’d go with Becks.”
At no fault of his own, the striker has struggled to feature on the pitch as regularly as he would have liked in recent times, battling with multiple different injuries out of his control. In sport and football in particular, it’s often forgotten that no one is more affected by an injury than the athlete in question, both mentally and physically, thus making interests away from the game an escape route. For Calvert-Lewin, fashion and grooming is that escape.
“Self-expression can be an outlet,” he explains. “For all the pressure you can feel in your day-to-day job playing football, it’s nice to be able to express yourself in ways that you don’t perhaps feel like a footballer. At least for me anyway.”
“My self-expression has evolved in different ways. I’m still flamboyant at times but I’ve gone from more flamboyant to not-so-flamboyant. Where I’m going now, less is more for me. I like to be comfortable and be simple with my style and I think that self-expression off the pitch can correlate to confidence on the pitch, definitely.”
For a sport that continues to adopt its outdated and traditional mindset, the rise of football x fashion has come as a surprise to many. From the ‘focus on football’ rhetoric to designer brand ambassador deals for some of the game’s biggest stars and luxury fashion labels launching collaborations with football’s European powerhouses, the relationship between the beautiful game and the fashion industry has never been greater.
I ask Calvert-Lewin what he, a player who has himself heavily contributed to the rise, would put the sudden growth of the niche down to. “There’s a platform now for people to express themselves more with social media,” he explains.
“I think it took a few players to break the barrier which has made it a lot easier for everyone else to express themselves freely and wear what they want to wear. It’s great to see. There are a lot of cool players knocking around these days and it creates a lot of conversation and a lot of interest in what the guys are wearing.”
Interested to know who Calvert-Lewin credits specifically for breaking that barrier, I prompt him for a name. “I think one of the first ones was Heccy B,” he responds, referencing Barcelona right-back Héctor Bellerín who, like Calvert-Lewin, has taken his fair share of criticism for daring to have outside interests.
“He was one of the first to start venturing into the fashion scene, from what I saw. He was the first one I saw walk the catwalk and things like that and then you see Eduardo Camavinga walking for Balenciaga, so I definitely feel as though there are two words colliding at the moment with football and fashion.”
As the relationship between football and fashion grows closer and closer and players feel more comfortable expressing themselves, it’s only natural that their competitiveness would shine through with the discussion for football’s best-dressed continually heating up.
“Best-dressed at Everton?” Calvert-Lewin responds before exhaling as though a life-or-death question has arrived at his doorstep. “Excluding me?” he says smiling. “Excluding you,” I fire back. “I’ll go my boy, Davo!” he says, awarding midfielder and close friend Tom Davies with the prize.
I deliver another tough dressing room question to Calvert-Lewin, this time asking for the one player he would give a style makeover to if presented the opportunity. “I’d probably say Jordan Pickford, you know. His fashion sense is quite rascal,” he laughs once more. “He’d probably say the same about me though, he’d probably say mine is rascal, but he’s quite logo heavy.”
It’s almost impossible to have the opportunity to talk to a Premier League footballer and avoid asking the question surrounding pre-game fits, something many have been pushing for in the game. With Barcelona players rocking their best fits at Camp Nou recently and Crystal Palace pushing players’ pre-training outfits across social media, what was once a pipe dream is fast becoming a reality. Like many players, Calvert-Lewin also wants to see its introduction into the game. “I’ve got to say, I’m a big, big fan of it.”
“I saw AC Milan’s Off-White collaboration and I think it’s been going on in the NBA for a long, long time so it’s probably only a matter of time before it happens. It’s already creeping into football.”
I ask whether the introduction of pre-game fits would provide a new platform for both himself and other players to try new styles each night, both grooming and clothing-wise. “One hundred percent,” Calvert-Lewin says confidently without a second thought.
“I think it’s something that suits me, so I’d quite enjoy that.”
Though fearless in his search for self-expression, Calvert-Lewin remains a far cry from the stereotype placed on many of football’s biggest stars. Throughout our conversation, his focus on comfort and simplicity over logo-heavy pieces and modern-day trends is apparent throughout and when it comes to jewellery, he is no different.
Avoiding tennis chain bracelets and in-your-face diamond necklaces, Calvert-Lewin instead opts for the minimal with anything he wears usually having meaning behind it. “I’m not massive on jewellery but I do wear a butterfly necklace most of the time,” he says whilst holding the butterfly pendant between his finger and thumb.
“This is actually a different one, the first one I ever got was in New York which was quite spontaneous. The butterfly represents the transformation of one thing growing into another and that’s quite symbolic of the last three years of my life, evolving from a young man into an adult, so it’s something I’ve continued wearing.”
Just like his taste in fashion, Calvert-Lewin’s taste in music also bares meaning. “Pre-game, I like to rotate but if I listen to a song getting off the bus and I go and have a good game, I’ll listen to the same song again the following week. I’m a little bit superstitious in that way.”
“Music is a big part of my life. I think music and fashion fall into the same bracket so dependent on what mood I’m in and how I’m feeling depends on what kind of music I’m listening to,” he reveals. “I’ve been listening to Kodak Black hard recently but my rotation can range quite far. Arctic Monkeys, I always dip in and out of them every now and again and a guy called Smino, an American rapper.”
Lastly, with the interview drawing to a close and the afternoon light edging closer to the darkness of a November night, I ask one last thing of Calvert-Lewin, to deliver a message to the youth of today who may lack the confidence to express themselves in a similar fashion as he does. “Nothing is ever as bad as what you think it is,” he begins.
“Everyone is in their own world anyway so you always think people are looking at you perhaps more than they are. So just go and be yourself.”
“I think the more you travel and experience different things from outside of where you’re from, the more you realise how different people are and how people express themselves. That’s something that has helped me.”
“It’s just about embracing who you are and accepting that everybody is different in different ways. For me, wearing suits and experimenting with my hair and beard actually gives me more confidence so I would tell young people to use fashion, grooming and whatever interests them as a platform to feel free and express themselves as an individual without fear of what other people think.”
In Partnership With: Braun
Styled By: Dominic Calvert-Lewin Himself
Shot By: Shane Bain
Grooming By: Jake Wanstall
‘Surely with hardship comes ease’ – Surah Ash-Sharh (94:5-6)
They often say you are a product of your environment. But Oday Dabbagh is living proof that you can embrace the experience of different cultures while being a powerful representative of your nation. We sat down with the 26-year-old Palestinian striker to delve deeper into his journey so far, the importance of authentic representation, self-expression through different mediums, faith, and much more.
Oday Dabbagh rose to global acclaim during his recent loan spell at Aberdeen, making the move to Scotland in the January transfer window earlier this year. The move proved fruitful for the striker as he ended the season a champion, lifting the Scottish Cup. His form has since earned him a summer move to Egyptian powerhouse, Zamalek SC, swapping the Scottish Highlands for the Cairo sun.
(Jack Rowley)
Born and raised in the Old City in Jerusalem, Dabbagh reflects on his childhood with great fondness. “It was a beautiful childhood. Since I was young, I used to play football in the alleys of the old town, and my relationship with my family was wonderful. I will say, they cared more about studying than football, but we found a compromise in the end.” [laughs]
A keen footballer from the very beginning, Dabbagh was one of many Palestinian children playing football with their friends at any opportune moment. Given the nation’s passion for the game, I was curious to learn more about why football plays such a big role in Palestinian culture.
“I think globally, this sport is so important because it really brings people together – fans, teams, players, countries. For us, it gives our people an incredible sense of pride. But beyond that, sport is powerful because it’s a gateway to build bridges.”
For Oday Dabbagh, football was that bridge, allowing him to play the sport he loves professionally. Despite typical Arab familial expectations on pursuing education, which I’m sure many of us can relate to, Oday’s breakthrough into the professional game came while he was just a teenager.
(Hussein Mardini – 3XV Sports)
“It was a wonderful feeling. I was very motivated to show my abilities, and that experience was the start of everything for me. That launched me into the Palestine U-18 Youth National Team Championship. To be honest, I didn’t expect to reach that stage at the time. I think I’ve always focused on working hard in the moment rather than anticipating what could be or what could come next. That mindset probably reduced the pressure on me.”
Making his professional debut in the Palestinian domestic league for Hilal Al-Quds at 16, he then guided the club to three consecutive West Bank Premier League titles. And became the league’s top goalscorer in 2019, bagging 16 goals.
Staunchly determined to succeed, Oday’s domestic exploits meant the youngster was garnering attention across both Europe and the Middle East, with the then-20-year-old opting to make the move to Kuwait. In the face of European interest, one would assume that it would be the most desirable option, but once again Dabbagh displays the level-headedness that has held him in good stead thus far in his career.
“I chose Kuwait because it was my first professional experience, and I wanted to adapt in an Arab country first. It turned out to be a really good decision that prepared me for Europe later.”
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Despite the elation of securing his first professional contract abroad, Oday admits to having mixed feelings about leaving home. “My feelings were mixed… joy, sadness, and fear. But once you get on the plane, those feelings disappear because you know you’re going toward your goal and you have to achieve it. Of course, I missed my family and friends, and that was difficult. But I learned a lot, and it only strengthened my dedication to my dream.”
Since making the move to Kuwait, Oday has played in six different countries, and he can’t speak highly enough of the experiences he’s had, particularly the impact it has had on developing his style.
“I’m really happy I played in so many countries. I learned new cultures, met new people, and picked up different styles of football. It made me adaptable. With style, each place has its own identity, but you also get this mix of cultures from other players – music, fashion, food, language… That has shaped me a lot, on and off the pitch.”
(@IMAGO)
Thriving at club level, Oday’s most prolific achievements have come on the international stage. Representing Palestine, the striker has gone from strength to strength with the “Lions of Canaan,” becoming the nation’s all-time top scorer with 16 goals in 45 appearances. Not only is he putting the nation on his back on the pitch, but Oday is a proud ambassador of his Palestinian identity, as he doubles down on how important the role is to him.
“I believe that this did not come out of nowhere; it came as a result of continuous work and commitment. I am truly proud to be a representative of my country, and I certainly thank every person who supported me or helped me to reach this level. It is a great thing to be an ambassador for your country.”
But football isn’t the only medium through which the 26-year-old chooses to express himself. A self-proclaimed fashion head, Oday’s style is equally versatile and experimental. Perhaps that may come as no surprise, given the melting-pot of experiences he’s had playing in six different countries.
(Hussein Mardini – 3XV Sports)
Most importantly, Oday firmly believes in the power of fashion as a vehicle of self-expression and identity, “It’s very powerful. It gives us the space to be ourselves and to show the moments and experiences we’ve picked up along the way.”
Not only does he represent his identity through football and fashion, but his very name pays homage to the culture he holds most dear. Names possess significant meaning in Palestinian culture, and so with that in mind, I asked Oday what his name means, to which he said: “Adi is an old Arabic name that means ‘running’ or a ‘fast enemy.’ Quite ironic, when one considers his attributes on the field, with speed and tenacity key hallmarks of his game.
‘Surely with hardship comes ease’ – Surah Ash-Sharh (94:5-6)
A powerful verse from the Quran that serves as a reminder that every difficulty is accompanied with relief, and even in difficult situations, there are blessings and ease.
With hardship an inevitability in football, it is crucial to bounce back from tough situations, and I was keen to explore how Oday motivates himself during periods of difficulty in the game.
“I tell myself that I am here to achieve a goal, and I cannot give up. And that is how I overcome difficulties. I talk to myself and motivate myself every time. Then I have my family, faith, and a deeper dream to make a difference. I do want to inspire young players. And when I remind myself of all of these things, I never stop pushing forward.”
(Palestine National Team)
At just 26, Oday Dabbagh’s story is far from over; from making his mark domestically, to securing his first professional contract and leaving home at just 20, to now being the face of the franchise for his national team.
As he settles into the lively city of Cairo, surrounded by history, the forward has not once forgotten his roots. Motivated by his hardships, a determination to make his family proud, and fulfil his goals, Oday is fast “running” to the top as one of the most influential figures in the game, transcending the boundaries of football, fashion, and identity, not to mention the “fast enemy” being a constant thorn in the side of opposition defences.
After reflecting for the vast majority of this conversation, it seemed poignant to conclude by looking ahead, asking Oday what he would like his legacy to be.
“That I gave it my all on and off the pitch, and that I took that, and used it to make an impact for the next generation. And that next generation did the same.”
Forever selfless, Oday Dabbagh is an inspiration and a role model, determined to use his growing profile to embrace his identity and advocate against injustice. Dabbagh’s career thus far has been remarkable, but his story has just begun.
As he celebrates his 28th birthday, Marcus Rashford will no doubt be aiming to push on after his strong start to the season, racking up 11 goals and assists in just 11 starts. But while Rashy invariably looks forward, we decided to look back, paying homage to the work he’s done and the impact he’s had, especially off the pitch.
The Mancunian burst onto the scene back in 2016, introducing himself to the Old Trafford faithful with a brace in the Europa League against Midtjylland. That same week, Rashy bagged yet another brace, this time in the Premier League against Arsenal. Destined for greatness, the path hasn’t always been smooth, but one thing is for certain: Marcus Rashford is the voice of the streets.
More than a footballer, Rashford never forgets his roots. Not only did he force a government U-turn during the COVID pandemic over free school meals, but he has also built libraries in primary schools across the UK and consistently supported his former primary school in Wythenshawe. Not to mention linking up with Carl Anka to write inspirational books for children.
From books to the booth, it’s no secret Rashy rocks with Lil Baby – just look at the EFL Cup celebrations in 2023 with Jadon Sancho. MBE has also linked up with DBE, as well as fellow Mancuinian Meekz. After a tough few years, Rashford has been ‘DUE4AWIN’ for a while, and he’s running it back in style this season.
Coming a long way from matching fits with Jesse Lingard, Rashford knows how to put it on. But after making a stand for what’s right, and giving back to those less fortunate, a situation Rashford can personally relate to, the pendulum of favour shifted. Despite his positive contributions, his charitable work has often been weaponised against him, in response to normal fluctuations in form. As layering chains, and supporting the next generation of underprivileged children, became seemingly incompatible.
The backlash he faced after his trip to watch the New York Knicks last November, epitomises the intense scrutiny players face when simply expressing themselves, as most of the discourse challenged his professionalism and used his outfit as justification of said criticism.
First and foremost, Rashford looked fly as hell in his LV hoodie and chains, not to mention the dope gold grillz. But most importantly, why is it being used against him when he is entitled to rock whatever drip he wants to? The whole narrative in mainstream media around black footballers and black athletes in general when it comes to self-expression needs to be questioned.
There is a fine line between criticism and personal attacks, and it often feels as though the discourse is targeted at Marcus the person rather than Rashford the footballer.
Granted his form during the trip wasn’t the best but he would be the first to admit that. Ultimately, you can criticise his efficacy on the pitch, but a line must be drawn.
In a time of increased mental health awareness within football, the media must be held responsible for their persistent efforts to challenge his integrity as a human being. Rashford has made some mistakes, and he will likely continue to make them, but what individual in their twenties hasn’t? Whenever the media discusses Marcus Rashford, they mention his wages, cars, and clothes. Yet, there is complete silence when it comes to his positive work.
From 39, to 19, to 10, Rashford is on his way back to being number 1. Whether he’s backstage at DBE concerts or linking up with Prince William, Rashford has always been more than a footballer. A cultural icon for his playing style, philanthropy, and positive impact, it’s time we appreciated what he has achieved at a young age.
In the words of Marcus Rashford: “If you back me, good. If you doubt me, even better.”
Happy Birthday, Rashy.