Leading up to the 2024 Paris Summer Games, Noah Lyles made headlines for his audacious goals. The sprinter claimed he would clinch an Olympic gold in every event he competed in. In fact, his performances at the U.S. Olympic Trials only added more fuel to the fire. During the semis, the 27-year-old scorched past the track in 9.80s. However, with 9.83s in the finals, he successfully punched his ticket to the French capital. 

Things were just as exciting at Stade de France. Even though the sprinter trailed behind his Jamaican rival, Oblique Seville, in semi-final 1, he turned things around in the finals. On August 4, the world looked forward to one of the most anticipated Games events. It was a battle between the reigning 100m world champion and the fastest man in the world, Kishane Thompson. Yet, the American edged Thompson out and bagged his maiden Olympic gold with 9.784s on the clock. However, the race wasn’t what stole the show that night.

Noah Lyles spills the beans on the inspiration behind his iconic fashion

The sprinter is often known for his boisterous yet straightforward personality. But while he turns heads with his blistering speed on the track, the Olympian is known for his unique ‘drip’. Noah Lyles’ outfits often stand out for all the right reasons, and that’s what caught everyone’s eye on August 4. The sprinter scorched to the finish with pearl beads in his hair, a stunning neck charm, and painted nails. Why did he go for that look? “I can’t look like everybody else; I need to look different,” he admitted to The Telegraph. 

The 27-year-old is often known to shake things up when it comes to track and field style, and he’s effortlessly done it for years. One of his distinctive trinkets from that night was a bedazzled piece he sported around his neck. Incidentally, he has previously worn this very piece when he clinched gold at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. But what if we tell you this is a custom piece? Yes, the Olympian created the necklace with a local Floridian jeweler. While he didn’t specify who it was, it could possibly be The Village Jeweler, based in Gainesville, Florida. The sprinter has previously sported Olympic-themed trinkets created by them in 2021. 

Additionally, the pearls woven into his braids ‘were inspired by A$AP Rocky.‘ On July 23, the rapper sported 20 pearl clips while performing at the Rolling Loud Festival in Miami. He’d even added matching sunglasses to complete the look. We’re not surprised that Noah Lyles was inspired by him, given that the US rapper is known for his unique style as well. While the 27-year-old couldn’t exactly run with the clips and sunglasses, he definitely put his own spin on it. 

The athlete is often known for sporting fits that seem out of the box, but he doesn’t see it that way. “Style is about taking something and adapting it your way. It’s the same reason that I started painting my nails; I have to find ways to embody how I feel in the moment,” he confessed. While his accessories helped express himself, his nails completed the look. Upon taking a closer look, his nails spelled out ‘ICON.’ The Olympian didn’t shy away from making his goals crystal clear. But how did he embark on this fashionable journey? 

Finding the right balance between speed and fashion

The 27-year-old doesn’t just showcase his stellar fashion sense on the track. He has graced a few ramps and red carpets over the years. While he effortlessly expresses himself through his fits, the Olympian didn’t always have the same passion growing up. He admitted that growing up, he would pair a random collared shirt with dad jeans and call it a day. 

It was all about ‘surviving school and getting outside to run.’ So what flipped a switch in his mind? During the mid-noughties, black male musicians wore a mix of 1950s and 1980s throwbacks. It wasn’t unexpected to see flannel shirts, overcoats, slim-cut jeans, V-neck sweaters, or more. This ignited a flame of curiosity in Noah Lyles’ mind. “I liked the way A$AP, Travis [Scott], Pharrell [Williams], and Tyler the Creator were dressing and wanted to get a little edgy, a little exotic, a little brighter, and more colorful,” he confessed. 

However, this wasn’t the only factor. At 19, the sprinter realized he couldn’t hang out at clubs or bars. So Lyles decided to venture into the Millenia Mall with his brother. The mall is divided into 2 halves. One boasted stores like H&M, Men’s Express, Macy’s, and Gas. However, the other featured high-end brands like Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, Dior, and more.

This intimidated the duo, and it even took three attempts to visit the other section. That was then. But today, this doesn’t seem to hold him back. Noah Lyles has often sported unique outfits from Who Decides War—a neon green sweater with strategic cut-outs. He’s also sported women’s suits from Stella McCartney on several occasions. Now we know the secret sauce to the Olympian’s impeccable fashion game.