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In the span of almost twenty-five years, the rap god known as Eminem has spawned many looks crossing different generations. Anyone who knows modern-day Slim Shady might imagine him wearing the synonymous black hoodie and hat combo with a beard—a look he almost exclusively appears in today. But sometimes, the classic Eminem outfits are what people remember most about the legend.
I love Eminem. Many people do. And growing up practically idolizing the foul-mouthed, bleached hair skinny guy with a tank top, I wanted to be like him. As a kid, I studied the clothing and accessories he would wear without realizing it.
Baggy pants with the occasional one-sleeve rolled up, du-rags underneath a fitted hat, and even a Jason Voorhees-like hockey mask with overalls dynamic, you name it. These old-school, early two-thousands fashion choices may stand out today, but who’s to stop us from rocking these looks if we want? Nobody.
I’ve had countless ideas of how to dress up like Em, and if you’re reading this, I bet you have too. So, for you, I’ll make this easy and list the best classic Eminem outfits for you to try out. These will range from my favorites to his most iconic.
Bottom Line Up Front
The Real Slim Shady. 8 Mile. His performance at the Half-Time Super Bowl Show. Eminem has rocked many different looks over the years, all with their own personality and fans. When looking for inspiration on what Eminem outfit to try out, it’s best to choose your favorite and memorable ones. Here’s a collection of mine.
Selection Criteria
Memorability: Most of these are well-known looks, but others aren’t so much. How well these looks are remembered plays a part in scoring below.
- Representing the Era: I broke these looks down into the eras of Eminem’s career. Following in order from the beginning, the looks needed to be the best of the best from each one.
- Cost: While many of these can be replicated for under one hundred dollars, the pricing can change with your selection of these items. Brands and other factors may make a simple T-Shirt more expensive than a cheaper brand.
- What You Need: Most of you will have to get more than one of these items. I factored in the availability of these pieces to the score as well.
What to Know First
Before I jump in, I’ll explain how I’m breaking these outfits down. Some of these may be difficult to find pieces for, while others may require some additional spending to get an accurate finish. Because of this, I’ll separate these factors within each era I go through by labeling the price (Low, Mid, and High). Furthermore, Eminem’s wardrobe has changed several times throughout his career, so this article will go over these and give you the best ones from each period.
Some additional advice and pointers, if you want to go even further with the look, you may want to look into getting temporary tattoos for your arms. Em’s sleeves are a large part of his personality and appearance, so having some (real or fake) can help with the outfit.
And lastly, bleach blonde hair is synonymous with the Slim Shady character, and dark brown hair was the same for Eminem. The look won’t be as accurate if you don’t have a buzzed cut or either of these hair colors. These two factors are worth considering as they can be vital to your final look, but we can worry about that later.
Why don’t we start at the beginning? Back when we first heard of this so-called Slim Shady.
The Slim Shady & Marshall Mathers LP Era
When reaching stardom in the late 90s and early 2000s, Eminem was better known as Slim Shady: a persona of his creation. Predominantly sporting a sizeable white T-Shirt with baggy jeans or jogger pants, the young rapper had started bleaching his hair blonde to create an image unique to him. With hooped earrings, a dog tag necklace, and a silver bracelet band, it was the look that introduced the world to Eminem.
This is one of the most accessible and affordable outfits to replicate, needing only simple clothing you can find at your nearest retail outlet. The accessories may need to be ordered online, but with relatively cheap pricing, this one is always a great choice to embody the Slim Shady spirit.
The Basics
One of the most common looks of his debut year is that some people may already have the clothes needed to do this.
Price Range: $5 – $20
Difficulty: 1/10
- Tank Top (white)
- Baggy Bottoms (blue, black, white, khaki)
- Dog Tag
Classic Look
This look is one step further into the Slim Shady realm. Switching out the simple tank top for an oversized white tee can further sell your outfit. Get yourself some dog tags and be proud of your costume.
Price Range: $20 – $40
Difficulty: 2/10
- Oversized White T-Shirt
- Baggy Denim Jeans (blue, black, khaki)
- Earrings (gold)
- Dog Tag Necklace
The Real Slim Shady
Now we’re full-on Slim Shady persona. If you’ve seen the music video for The Real Slim Shady, this outfit will be no surprise. A small army of people who dress, walk, and talk like Slim Shady wear this outfit; creating a core memory for us all. A simple, oversized, white T-Shirt with some very baggy blue jeans and a dog tag is what you’ll mainly need. A few more additions are needed for completion, but again, changing your hair is all up to you.
Price Range: $30 – $80
Difficulty: 3/10
- Oversized White T-Shirt
- Baggy Denim Jeans (blue, black, khaki)
- Earrings (gold)
- Dog Tag Necklace
- Bracelet Band (silver)
- Nike Shoes
- Bleach and Buzz Your Hair
Bonus
Friday the 13th
On tour for the Marshall Mather’s LP album, Eminem would dawn blue overalls with no undershirt. Along with this, a chainsaw with a haunting hockey mask similar to the famous slasher series, Friday the 13th, went with the horror theme he invoked in some of his tracks. Always a fan of the genre, Eminem made this look iconic during the early 2000s, and it is still remembered today.
Price Range: $200 <
Difficulty: 6/10
- Jason Voorhees Hockey Mask
- Denim Overalls
- Chainsaw
The Eminem Show Era
One of his most recognizable outfit eras—the early to mid-2000s—showed popularity with specific styles in the hip hop world. Baggy clothing was still in high demand but was now worn with fitted hats and durags. This combination of headwear was so cool back then; artists all around would inspire their fans to rock the look—Eminem being one of them.
Lose Yourself
The movie 8 Mile not only won Eminem a Grammy for the best original song but solidified the rapper’s reputation as one of the greatest of all time. His character in the movie often wore monochrome clothing for the cold. Complete with a beanie and hoodie combo, the look captured a working-class person living on the rough sides of Detroit. In the music video for Lose Yourself, Eminem is seen wearing a similar outfit that, again, needs only everyday clothing to replicate.
Price: $50 – 100
Difficulty: 4/10
- Beanie (light gray)
- Bandana (white)
- Oversized T-Shirt (dark gray)
- Bracelet (silver)
- Baggy Pants (black)
- Sneakers (white)
Up-Market Eminem
A few years into the millennia, Eminem had already solidified himself as one of the greatest rappers of all time. His clothes became more expensive, and he established a look that was all his own. However, your clothes and accessories don’t have to cost this much, and all you’ll need is a durag or bandana with a fitted hat. If you want to go that extra step, you can start wearing Shady Records attire, as this was when he began representing his newly founded label.
Price Range: $60 – $120
Difficulty: 5/10
- Oversized T-shirt (any color)
- Baggy Pants (black, gray, or white)
- Bandana (black, white)
- Fitted Hat (any color)
- Silver Watch (right)
- Silver Bracelet Band (left)
Sing for the Moment
Another iconic look from this era is from the music video for his hit song “Sing for the Moment,” where he slays in an oversized green shirt (the right sleeve rolled up) with baggy gray sweatpants. A pair of black fingerless gloves accompany a white bandana underneath a green and yellow headband. The music video currently has over 400 million views and is well known to many Eminem fans.
But with this outfit comes more items to get. While most of them are still relatively cheap on their own, they may add up a bit collectively. Furthermore, you may be unable to find an exact match of his green and yellow headband. If you’re on a budget or time restraint and can’t wait for all the pieces to come in the mail, try a more accessible outfit.
Price: $40 <
Difficulty: 6/10
- Oversized Green T-Shirt (right sleeve rolled up)
- Baggy Gray Sweatpants
- White Bandana
- Green and Yellow Headband
- Black Fingerless Gloves
Bonus
Chill Em
This one is to give some inspiration to the glasses-wearing peeps reading this. The main components are the hat and bandana duo with a jacket. He matches red and white, but the colors can be changed out. Also, don’t forget those glasses!
Price Range: $60 – $120
Difficulty: 6/10
- Baseball Cap (any color)
- T-Shirt (casual or oversized)
- Zip – Up Jacket (black, gray, white)
- Black Loose Fit Jeans
- Glasses
Curtain Call Era
In the era that marked the beginning of his hiatus from music, a more serious side of Eminem was taking to the center, often discussing his daughter growing older and wanting more time with her. This new perspective on life would alter his appearance and style in the years to come.
Here, I only have one listed for this era as his public appearance became more limited in the change of the decade. Nonetheless, it is an iconic and practical look for whom Marshall Mathers was turning into.
Leaving the Game
A wise dad vibe stems from his occasional reading glasses, giving him a more distinguished look. Also, now wearing a simple baseball cap forward rather than the fitted hats, a more serious tone was coming from the father. The bleach blonde hair days were a part of older eras, and more jackets were worn to reflect this transformation.
Price Range: $50 – $80
Difficulty: 4/10
- Baseball Cap (gray, black, or white)
- White T-Shirt (casual or oversized)
- Winter Jacket (gray)
- Black Loose Fit Jeans
- Glasses (optional)
Bonus
Encore
I was eight years old when this album came out. I remember having the CD in my hands and looking down at Eminem dressed in this nice suit as if he were saying farewell to the audience. It is one of Marshall’s most iconic images and resonates with me at my core.
Price Range: $200 <
Difficulty: 8/10
- Dark Blue Suit
- Red Silk Tie
- Black Dress Shoes
- Bleached Blonde Hair
Relapse Era
Oh, the Relapse era. Both musically and fashion-wise, this stretch in Eminem’s career has gone over a decade now with the same criticism it had since its time in the spotlight. The album itself was the rapper’s return from hiatus and received mixed reviews, but something great that came out of this era was some of Slim Shady’s most iconic looks to date.
3 a.m.
I want to bring this one up because it’s pretty cool. It’s him from the “3 a.m.” music video where he’s playing some villainous role at a hospital. He’s cut his left hand and appears lacking in color. Aside from some makeup, fake blood, and bandages, this one should be relatively easy to do.
Price Range: $20 – $80
Difficulty: 3/10
- No Shirt
- Denim Jeans (blue)
- Fake Blood
- Makeup
- Bandages
Hood Up
Around this time as well, Em would start rocking the black hoodie, and the ball cap looks more regularly, only still being clean shaved at the time. With his return to music, the bleach blonde hair had returned as the more modern take on the artist had started to develop.
Price Range: $80 <
Difficulty: 4/10
- Zip-Up Hoodie (black, white, or gray)
- Curved-Bill Fitted Hat (black, white, or gray)
- White T-Shirt or Black Jordan T-Shirt
- Cross necklace
- Dark Fade Loose Fit Jeans
- Nike or Jordan Shoes
We Made You
This one doesn’t get as much love as I think it deserves. Being part of the Relapse era, it is constantly overshadowed by more popular looks, but even still, this one has stuck with me. From the “We Made You” music video, this different aesthetic is highlighted by its two-tone sleeves of white and black. A turned-back fitted hat and dark wash jeans bring this older version of Slim Shady a more mature tone.
Price Range: $150 <
Difficulty: 6/10
- Custom Long Sleeve (black and white)
- Curved-Bill Fitted Hat (black)
- Jordan T-Shirt (black)
- Cross necklace
- Dark Fade Loose Fit Jeans
- Nike or Jordan Shoes
Bonus
MTV Video Music Awards
This one’s clean, memorable, and a good representation of Marshall’s fashion. The white hoodie underneath the black denim jacket blends well with the dark hair and award in his hand.
Price Range: $80 – $240
Difficulty: 7/10
- Pullover Hoodie (white)
- Leather Jacket (black)
- Dark Wash Jeans
- Nike Shoes
Recovery Era
The time of wokeness had coincided with this Eminem era, and with the reception from his last album, Eminem was starting to let Marshall back on the mic. And with this change in sound and meaning, a new look came.
Not Afraid (Casual)
This classic outfit from the music video for the hit song “Not Afraid” perfectly encapsulates Eminem’s whole vibe for this release. It’s dark. Serious. No more dyed hair, either. His natural dark brown hair only adds to the overall look. Sticking with a solid black shirt (with both sleeves rolled up this time) and the same colored, less loose-fitting pants, it’s a clean outfit that his serious demeanor works well with.
Price Range: $50 – $100
Difficulty: 3/10
- Black T-Shirt (fitted)
- Dark Wash No Fade Jeans (slim straight)
- Nike Shoes
The New Eminem
Sticking almost exclusively to this simple outfit, it may need some explaining that you are indeed dressed like classic Eminem. A cap facing forward, a white or black T-Shirt, and a dark jacket with the collar sticking up—that’s Eminem during Recovery.
Price Range: $60 – $150
Difficulty: 4/10
- Baseball Cap Facing Forward (black, grey)
- T-Shirt (white or black)
- Jacket (black)
- Slim Straight Jeans (black)
- Nike Shoes
Not Afraid (All-In)
You’re going to need a sleek leather jacket and accessories to go along with the fit. A cross necklace, silver watch, and accompanying bracelet are what finish the look off, so this one will need some extra pieces to complete. That and a more serious face and demeanor to go along with your cool guy vibe.
Price Range: $200 <
Difficulty: 7/10
- Black T-Shirt (fitted)
- Dark Wash No Fade Jeans (slim straight)
- Nike Shoes
- Black Leather Jacket (slim)
- Black Watch (right)
- Silver Bracelet (left)
Bonus
The Marshall Mathers LP 2
During the mid-2010’s, Eminem had lived stardom for close to two decades and had established the look that he would stick with until today. Here, however, is when he had gone back to the blonde hair look after the albums release and still had yet to grow his infamous beard.
Price Range: $80 – $170
Difficulty: 5/10
- Baseball Cap Facing Forward (black, grey)
- T-Shirt (white or black)
- Jacket (black)
- Slim Straight Jeans (black)
- Nike Shoes
- Pendant Necklace
Modern Eminem
And to briefly touch on this not-so-classic Eminem outfit, it will be, if not already, to some people—pulling everything from the Recovery era, putting his hood over the cap, and sporting a dark-trimmed beard. This one is also relatively affordable and would be easy to tell who you are, but the days of baggy clothing and fitted hats are not shown at all in this modern era.
Price Range: $100 <
Difficulty: 5/10
- Fitted T-Shirt (black, white, gray)
- Dark Wash No Fade Jeans (slim straight)
- Nike Shoes
- Zip-Up Hoodie (black)
- Gold Bracelet (left)
- Gold Necklace
- Gold Watch (right)
- A Beard
Bonus
Kamikaze
Price: $70 – $140
Difficulty: 5/10
And lastly, we have the special white look from the release of Kamikaze. Keeping the minimalistic look, the only real difference is the inversion of the jacket from black to white. Nonetheless, the look stands out and is worth ending things with.
- Fitted T-Shirt (black, white, gray)
- Dark Wash No Fade Jeans (slim straight)
- Nike Shoes
- Zip-Up Hoodie (white)
- Gold Bracelet (left)
- Gold Necklace
- Gold Watch (right)
- Beard
So, clearly, Eminem has had a lot of different outfits throughout his career. All of them highlight the period and the individual’s position in life; even these ideas can show your true love for the artist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answer: For the past few years, Eminem has had a consistent look with him. This outfit can be seen in many of his recent appearances with a black baseball hat, a white T-Shirt underneath a zip-up black hoodie or denim jacket, and matching pants with white Nike shoes.
Answer: He does have his own clothing company. Shady Ltd. Eminem produces it, but it is more difficult to find apparel today. Most of his clothing is now sold simply on his own Eminem website.
Answer: At the creation of Slim Shady, a look was needed for the new persona. The day before a studio session, Marshall had used peroxide to bleach his hair blonde. Also, commonly wearing a simple white T-Shirt back then, this would be the look for Slim Shady.
Final Thoughts
With so many different eras to take inspiration from, there are many options for you to choose between. I think his Recovery era was his best all around, but anything from The Eminem Show always brings me back to when I dressed like that as a kid. And probably the most recognizable look would be the more modern fits, but the choice is yours.
I would recommend going the Real Slim Shady route when it comes to being able to afford certain ones. A straight-up white shirt that’s two sizes too big for you, some similar blue jeans that you sag down to however comfortable you want to go, and maybe dye your hair blonde and cut it if you’re really dedicated. But don’t blame me.
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