What we can all learn from the romper Cam Newton wore to Coachella
It’s been all over the Internet and social media: Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton in all his glory at Coachella, decked out in what appears to be a black floral romper, ankle cuffs and a straw hat.
The flood of images I’ve seen of this phenomenon offer some insight to us mere mortals who (a) aren’t lucky enough to attend the celebrity-speckled Coachella music and arts fest and (b) still have yet to engage Newton in a conversation, let alone instigate further in-person inquiry into his outfit choices.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BS9vxmDA8A0/?tagged=camnewton&hl=en
The romper tells us that floral is in right now. It’s springtime, friends. Embrace the flowers.
The outfit also tells us that ankle cuffs are… something to consider. They’re all over Etsy, for one. Fluffy ankle cuffs, golden ankle cuffs. Then there are Newton’s, white bands with green edging.
Newton’s ensemble reminds us that you choose how you feel in an outfit. Just look at him. Instagram photos show him gliding down a strip of grass, head up, confident smile. Even a hint of a swagger.
Cam feels good in himself, and in his clothes. It shows.
He even posted a photo on Instagram Saturday with a caption that read “I stand out, I don’t blend in; when I said that I meant it!”
The romper also reminds us that something isn’t always as it seems. Multiple social media users determined that this floral piece is, in fact, not a romper. It is a two-piece outfit looped at the waist with rope-like material.
A representative named Jay of SCORE Retail Lounge and Sweets Bar backed this two-piece truth, also claiming in an email that his store is the source of the outfit itself. He said this outfit can only be found at the Latta Arcade location. And they “know everybody has been talking about and going crazy over” it.
Lastly, Newton’s romper/two-piece/manifestation-of-self-assuredness teaches us that someone’s opinion of you, at the core, just doesn’t matter.
The public threw around comments on social media about Newton wearing his mom’s pajamas, or a grandmother’s shower curtains.
Well, guess what? He already wore the floral outfit. And he wore it well.
Photo: Jeff Haynes/AP
This story was originally published April 17, 2017 at 11:00 PM.