Allen Iverson, also known as “The Answer” was notorious for his skills in the game of basketball. Since his debut in the NBA, he became renowned for his dancing feet, ball handling skills, his rapid pace off the ball and his effortless shooting ability while being guarded by some of the greatest players in the NBA at the time. His abilities gave him an enormous following, the utmost respect from his colleagues, and the organization. His legacy was further sealed when he finished his career as a hall of famer with multiple individual accolades. However, this was not the only place where he was successful in leaving a mark.
Outside of the NBA, he was known for his iconic braids, also known as the “Iverson Braids”, which was very quick with making its presence known and taking over the world of fashion.
Today’s article will include a brief coverage of the Answer’s elegant yet funky hairstyle that was just as successful as his career as an NBA superstar. We will also be including the occurrences and the reason why AI decided to braid his hair before it became a global sensation.
Table of Contents
Allen Iverson Braids: An NBA Superstar with An Iconic Haircut
A year into his NBA career, things were looking rather well for Allen Iverson. He was named Rookie of the Year in 1996 because of his impressive stats. He averaged around 23 points and dished out 7 assists per game, which helped him earn his first individual accolade.
He also managed to make a revolutionary fashion statement during 1997’s NBA All Star Weekend, when he showcased his freshly parted cornrows. Despite how peculiar it looked on the eyes back then, it complemented his flashy personality on and off the court as well as his tattoos. Although the look was changed up and demonstrated in various ways in the years that followed, Iverson started off with medium sized cornrows, which garnered an enormous amount of attention shortly afterwards.
On another note, the cornrow is a hairstyle in which the hair is parted into several sections in a row-esque manner. The cornrow is usually achieved through braiding and consists of a flat appearance as opposed to the full and dense appearance of Dutch braids.
The Bizarre Reason Behind His Iconic Look
Being an NBA player brought to the table loads of benefits for ROTY Iverson in 1997. Taking into account the hardships that he had to face prior to becoming a professional, Iverson was finally able to work his way out and get a fresh start in life that was full of positives. It wasn’t all roses for him, however, since his hair was getting the worst end of the stick.
Due to the constant amount of traveling an NBA player has to carry out, AI couldn’t stick to one hairdresser for maintenance cuts, and had to deal with botched haircuts on a regular basis. A solution was found soon enough, however: cornrows! Yes, the iconic look was initially thought of to get rid of an inconvenience; not to set a trend!
Moreover, when it was asked about during an interview, he simply said that his revolutionary hairstyle was obtained to subside the stress of getting regular trims; not to give him a thug-like persona or to set a fashion statement.
The Aftermath
Although the bold look received high praise from fans and celebrities around the world, it did come with its fair share of drawbacks. Iverson’s clean cornrows and his iconic tattoos left the NBA no choice but to come up with strict rules for the players regarding their physical appearance and body modifications. NBA Commissioner David Stern reached out to Iverson as well, mentioning how he’d like him to double down on his tattoos and cornrows.
Despite the requests, Allen Iverson stayed true to himself and his taste in fashion, which is one of the reasons why he was and is appreciated around the world to this day.
In Popular Culture
AI’s change in hairdo encouraged loads of NBA players to experiment with their hair as well. It also had a noteworthy impact outside the organization, as it gathered an enormous amount of people to recreate the look.
Nowadays, it is a staple in the world of fashion, and has been reinvented numerous times since the initial variant’s discovery.
While it is popular amongst people of all genders, it is often picked up by women. The hairstyle is more catered to people with thick 4C coily and ziggy hair, and has various insightful tutorials on the web that people can watch to pull the hairdo off perfectly!
13 Classy Braid Hairstyles of Allen Iverson
Alongside shattering the expectations of those that weren’t aware of the abilities that the Answer had, he left multiple hairstyles that can be worn with class in the present day. Skim through the list mentioned below to find your perfect match!
Flat Braids
This variant is what really started the trend of Allen Iverson’s hair. It involves cornrows that are wrapped up in a flat, but defined manner. The tight but moisturized braids look very presentable on the eyes, and are rather easy to recreate due to its simple pattern. It will also prevent frizzy hair from going out of control, which is probably the main purpose behind achieving this look.
It is perfect for those that are looking for a hairdo that can be achieved quickly and stays in place for a long period of time.
Leafy Braids
While AI never let his hair down, he was known for experimenting with his braids. This option brings in a more laid back approach, making it extremely suitable for casual occasions like parties. Even though it will take a bit more time to recreate as opposed to the former option, it will definitely stand out in a room full of people.
Zig Zag Braids
This is probably the most favorable hairdo on this list. It sums up the funky trend of the 90s era perfectly.
Moreover, when this look made its debut, it was sought after due to the ample amount of wow factor it had. It went with Iverson’s swagger-esque personality and his tattoos. The pattern consists of a zig zag like design that connects near the hairline. The sides are styled in the same way, but are parted horizontally.
Fish Tail Braids
Let your braids drop hints of your extroverted personality and recreate this look! The layout consists of thin but defined braids which automatically increases the contrast of the wearer’s hair. It can be worn at practice, at a party, and at high end events due to the amount of outfits it goes well with.
Although recreating this look might take up a chunk of your day, the visuals of it will surely sweep people off their feet!
Spider Braids
This was worn by the NBA Hall of Famer when he was in his prime. He dazzled his colleagues and opponents with his ball handling skills, and became notorious off the court because of his fancy patterned hair. The look was mainly obtained to complement his spider-like reflexes. Even though Iverson dropped the look shortly afterwards, various people still recreate this haircut to pay homage to him to this day.
Snake-like Braids
The process of getting this look might be difficult, but it all pays off in the end due to the presentable nature it contains. This variant contains multiple uneven rows that are narrow to give the hairstyle some natural shine. Despite being uneven, the structure is fixed and consists of multiple braids that cross over one another. This hairstyle was rocked by Allen Iverson during his spell with the Denver Nuggets.
M-Shape Braids
Unlike most of the options on this list, the M-shape braids have a rather simple yet sophisticated approach. The pattern is dominated by the letter, and is braided in different shapes and sizes. The hairline usually consists of two semi ovals that are parallel enough to complete one another.
This look is more catered to casual occasions, but can also be paired up with a tuxedo to take the whole look to a whole new level.
Maze Snake Braids
If you’re into hair variations that are creative yet confusing at the same time, you’ve come to the right place! This hair consists of chunky snake shaped braids that are combined together to create a maze. Unlike most braids, this specific look offers loads of density and volume, and is suitable for those with thick and dark colored hair.
It was worn by Iverson during the 2000 NBA Playoffs when he led his team to victory against the Hornets.
Middle Part Wavy Braids
This specific hairdo was taken up by Iverson to balance out the flashiness of the rest of them. The small guard looked even more toned when wearing this hair due to the highly detailed braids it contained.
On another note, similar to a middle part, wavy braids that are parted down the middle also give one’s face a narrower appearance, making this option catered to those with round faces.
Multi Pattern Braids
Braids often look presentable when they come with a simple pattern, but having a pattern with different designs gives them the wow factor. Suitable to those that want their hair to drop hints of their personality, this hair is rather uncommon to find due to the complex groundwork it attains. However, once the process is dealt with, it can work wonders for one’s social life and help them with achieving irreversible self-confidence.
Quadruple Braids
This hairstyle is very easy to find due to the simple layout it contains. It is also very convenient for one’s hair as the process of getting this hairdo isn’t as stressful or as lengthy as the others present on this list.
Apart from being time-friendly, quadruple braids are extremely voluminous and come with a hair care routine that is very low-maintenance. It is a solution for those that have a hard time with controlling their hair.
Spiral Braids with Framing Sides
This variation is achieved by parting the hair into a side part and braiding them afterwards from top to bottom. The hairstyle contains various curvy braids that come together to form a 360. It is great for giving the face a slimming effect, and controlling the frizzy, dull ends of afro hair.
While getting the pattern right will be an extremely difficult task, the results will surely take anyone by surprise.
Twisty Braids with a Line Up
Twisty braids are eerily similar to zig zag braids. However, as opposed to zig zag braids, they’re more glossy and defined. The line-up supports this look by supplying the coarse curly patterns with more density. It was a great look when it was first showcased by Allen Iverson in the early 2000s, but has since lost its fame. This hairstyle can definitely be a sidekick to those that use fashion as a means of self-expression.
Some Braids Hairstyles Inspired By Allen Iverson
Fish Bone Braids
Allen Iverson Inspired Twist Braids
Middle Part Wavy Braids with Tiny Bun
Girls with Stitch Feed In Braids
Kids Followed Allen Iverson Zig Zag Braids
FAQs
Here are a few questions related to Allen Iverson’s hair we’d like to respond to!
Question: When did Allen Iverson get braids?
Answer: Allen Iverson first wore his braids during the Schick Rookie Challenge in 1997. Though it caught the fans and all the spectators by surprise, Iverson initially switched his hairdo up to this variant due to the convenience it offered as opposed to the visual appeals of it.
Question: Was Allen Iverson the first NBA Player to wear cornrows?
Answer: Yes. Yes, he was. Allen Iverson kick started the trend of cornrows in the NBA. The way he presented himself had such a huge impact that NBA officials were forced to add a dress code that was more on the formal end in order to take more control of the organization’s taste in fashion.
Final Verdict
Through this article, we hope to help our readers with learning about the timeless looks that Allen Iverson, The Answer, has pulled off over the years. We also hope this write-up helps those that are eager to give their hair a fresh start and try out different types of cornrows that are available. Although the list is catered to those with afro hair, it can be recreated by those with normal hair in an effortless manner if the right tools are used.
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