Style

10 years of Fall Out Boy style memories

by Anne T. Donahue

May 3, 2013

Ah, the good old days. The evolution of an artist’s musical style is one thing, but what about their style style? Join us as we look at 10 years of Fall Out Boy’s youthful fashion and errors in judgement. Sugar, we’re going down swinging.

2003

Wristbands! Hoodies! Slouching on vans! Channeling the timeless “teen boys in a McDonalds parking lot” vibe, these were truly the guys you learned how to skateboard for. (Regardless of gender, and regardless of whether you actually knew them.)

2004

A little less mall, a little more rock ‘n roll. Now with tousled hair (hi, Joe), even more nonchalance, and a collection of t-shirts than rivals the stock of your local Hot Topic, the group’s rock star persona began to emerge — specifically thanks to a Mr. Pete Wentz, whose flair for hair that meant business began to blossom.

2005

Slowly, Patrick’s hats began to grow in strength.

BUT, OH YOU FANCY, HUH. Truly, because upon arriving at the year’s MTV Video Awards, hoodies and band tees were replaced with a colour-coded group ensemble that was outshone only by Joe’s longer locks. Arguably, Gerard Butler was wrong — because that was Sparta.

Until Joe cut his hair, and the rest was history.

August 2006

CHEERIO GOOD SIRS, ‘TIS BUT A GRAND OCCASION. Carrying on the themed vibe of the previous year, the gang paid tribute to Sherlock Holmes and Marcel, Ross Gellar’s monkey, via Victorian-inspired ensembles that, as we said, were accompanied by a monkey. Did we mention there was a monkey. #Monkey

2007

Hanging loose and having fun! We get it, Fall Out Boy: fame and fortune is now your reality, so you celebrate with the wearing of tank tops and t-shirts because you do what you want. As hats and summer casual abound, Pete makes up for the white belt of yesteryear back by pairing a formal vest and khaki pants. Business casual say what.

And that same year

Johnny Depp steals all four of their roles in the year’s Tim Burton film, which explains why Patrick stares dramatically into the distance, channeling steampunk.

August 2008

And with every August, we’re given a new surprise. This time, the boys opted for “formal-y rock ‘n roll” (#LOL) by combining cummerbunds and sunglasses for that classic “we are in a band, did you get that?” feel. Message received, gentlemen. Message received.

2009

Months later, however, the group eventually learned the meaning of the phrases “too much,” “a lot,” and “wow those graphic t-shirts mean business.” Which probably explains their extended hiatus.

2013

But how things have changed. Three years after they went on hiatus (in 2010), and now that band members are married, parents, and have dabbled with solo careers, the days of t-shirts, hoodies, and ironed bangs have been exchanged for leather bombers, fedoras, and okay, fine, hoodies — but grown-up, black ones. See?