New York Knicks: Walt “Clyde” Frazier’s legend of style

Taking over the Big Apple

Willis Reed was no doubt “the Captain” but Clyde was the “fly guy” and talk of the town. Style. That one word could sum up this legendary ballplayer. That wasn’t how NBA players dressed or presented themselves. From day one he took ownership of New York. Not only did the team improve exponentially, so did the New York social scene.

Along with being a basketball superstar, Clyde loved to party! The 1970’s club scene is where you might find him. Dressed of course, to the nines. Clyde could be seen around town in his Rolls, wearing his signature black turtlenecks, gold chains, fur coats, capes, and the wide-brimmed hats! Cool as you please, Frazier was the man on and off the court!

You also need to understand that no one really ever referred to him as Walt. He was given the nickname of Clyde because a trainer likened his look in his wide-brimmed hats to that of the style worn by Warren Beatty to portray the gangster Clyde in the film Bonnie and Clyde. He wasn’t a “Walt”, he was a “Clyde”.

In a 2016 GQ article, Clyde responded to questions about his glamorous lifestyle as compared to the stars of today, and whether he would wear what they’re wearing. Here is his response to a question about just that.

"A lot of the guys today wear designer clothes. Have you ever thought about asking them for their big and tall sources? I wouldn’t wear those because of the colors. I like mixing unusual combinations of colors and patterns that people wouldn’t normally put together. When I go shopping, I ask the guy, ‘Show me something you think no one would wear.’ A lot of guys now don’t have my expertise. I’ve been in New York for 40 years. This is the mecca for fashion."

In a world of conformity, Frazier is a fashion island unto himself.