John Legend: Diggin' His Style

R&B soul crooner John Legend dropped his third studio album 'Evolver' this Tuesday and celebrated its release by attending not one, but two events in New York City. First, Legend attended the premiere for 'Soul Men' in Harlem with lead star Samuel L. Jackson. Afterwards, Legend made a mad dash downtown to his own album release party and sipped champagne by liquor sponsor Dom Perignon with his protégé Estelle; pals Ryan Leslie, ANTM winner Jaslene Gonzalez and more at the new Rendezvous Lounge (RdV) at Bagatelle in the Meat Packing District. The event was sponsored by luxury Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet, a Jay-Z favorite.

With that in mind, we decided to do fashion recap of Legend, who was once voted second Best Dressed Man in the World by leading men's fashion rag Esquire magazine (in 2006.) When the Kanye West protégé' showed up at his first Grammys in 2005 wearing a black velvet tuxedo by Valentino with Yves Saint Laurent shirt, he immediately jumped on the fashion community's radar. The following year he wore an all white Yves Saint Laurent outfit for his triple Grammy win and thus became an official fashionisto.

John Legend Pictures

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 28: Musician John Legend attends the world premiere of "Soul Men" at The Apollo Theater on October 28, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for The Weinstein Company)

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Musician John Legend is photographed in New York on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Jim Cooper)

LONDON - SEPTEMBER 22: Musician John Legend performs at the Hilfiger Sessions held at Porchester Hall on September 22, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Tommy Hilfiger)

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LONDON - SEPTEMBER 22: Musician John Legend and Model Daisy Lowe pose at the Hilfiger Sessions held at Porchester Hall on September 22, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Tommy Hilfiger)

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LONDON - SEPTEMBER 22: Musician John Legend poses at the Hilfiger Sessions held at Porchester Hall on September 22, 2008 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Tommy Hilfiger)

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Posing for GQ Magazine

Legend is a member of hip-hop's version of the 60's infamous Rat Pack crew, with fashion parters-in-crime Kanye West and Common.

Whether with his crew or alone Legend brings mad swagger to his looks be they casual or dressed up. Legend's style trick? Simple suits, cropped jackets, cardigans and camp shirts in mostly natural fabrics such as cotton, in a safe palette of neutrals, white and/or black. It's classic and rich -- there are no fussy lines here.

On occasion the serial model dater may push the envelope a tad with his ties and footwear. Oh, and the fit is always on point: you'll never catch him in the dead wrong lane with Steve Harvey and 'em, with their oversized jackets and monster shoulder pads. King of Comedy he is not.

Legend's image has helped land him a Gap Red campaign, become the spokes model for Lexus SUV and even inspired a fan to put up a website dedicated to his style (http://www.john-legend.net/fashion.htm).
Yeah, it's that serious.