Truckercore at the VMAs
The red carpet unfurled at this year’s MTV VMAs brought with it its usual assortment of captivating celebrity fashions. From the most acclaimed fashion designers to new and upcoming clothing brands, the stylistic parade of pop culture figures was certainly eye-catching. In a conspicuous yet subtle way (and totally unexpected), the rapper-turned-country singer Post Malone may have stolen the show at one of the biggest nights of the year.
Post Malone at the 2024 MTV VMAs: Via Getty Images/Jeff Cravitz
The diamond-certified artist has transitioned from his notorious blend of hip-hop and pop to a certified country twang, in his entire personality: both musically and stylistically. His most recent album, F-1 Trillion, released in August, encapsulated this paradigmatic shift in dynamic to a fully-fledged country singer. His shift in vocal pattern is just as apparent as his shift in personal style. His appearance at the VMAs confirmed his move into the world of country fashion and a truckercore aesthetic, giving it the potential to be a headline fashion trend for the next few months.
Post Malone and Taylor Swift accepting the Best Collaboration award for “Fortnight” at the VMAs: Via Getty Images/Mike Coppola
Malone’s outfit featured classic jeans paired with ostrich skin boots, alongside a white vest beneath a floral, beige blazer. Not to forget the trucker cap thrown on top (but taken off for his acceptance speech), giving off very strong highway-gas-station vibes. The outfit is highly resonant of other country singers, many of whom appear on Malone’s new album: Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, and even Dolly Parton. Such a unique blend of edginess with western workwear may usher in this new subculture termed “Gas Station Glam.” Whilst some artists, such as Beyoncé, have dipped their toes into the world of country music, Post Malone is unique in bringing both the music as well as the style into the limelight.
At first glance, it may appear this trend is more apt to be seen on a long-haul trucker on the rugged highways of America. But that gritty, working-class dynamic is exactly the aesthetic which Malone and others are seeking to achieve. Simple workwear outfits, adorned with glamorous embellishments to elevate the ensembles. It’s not so different from the traditional outfits of recognizable country singers, such as Blake Shelton: jeans, boots, and a button-down shirt. Dolly Parton may sparkle a bit more with an array of sequins and jewels, but the look remains the same: effortless, rugged, yet still totally captivating. Post Malone’s unique look is thus enticing for the more casual dressers as well as those who prefer a bit of glitz and glam. Carhartt, Dickies, Wrangler, all resonate with this aesthetic, providing fashionable clothing which maintains its practical, workwear origin. Adding a simple adornment of a chain, sparkly sequins, or, in Post Malone’s case, a designer belt, takes this look to the “Gas Station Glam” level. Malone has always been a frontrunner for bringing new music and styles to the eyes and ears of the public. His new transition into country music and fashion is emboldening and powerful, and it cannot be long until the truckercore aesthetic becomes a stylistic mainstay.
