Written by Sam Knowlton
Edited by Léah Champagne
Even weeks removed from the Super Bowl, Bad Bunny still has many captivated by his halftime performance. While I am no different, it was also his outfit choice that stood out to me earlier this February. Benito took the silhouette of an American football uniform – a number stamped across the front and back, and padded shoulders creating an exaggerated, almost armored frame. Uniquely, though, he opted for a completely monochromatic cream-white look. The choice felt intentional: it was chic on stage, but it didn’t steal the show. Instead, it served as a blank slate, allowing the performance itself to remain the focal point
What came as more of a surprise was learning afterward that he was wearing Zara, undoubtedly the largest stage the brand has ever occupied. Because the reasoning behind the choice has not been officially confirmed, it has left room for speculation. As one of the dominant fast fashion players globally, it is unexpected to see Zara represented on arguably the biggest performance platform there is. Historically, the Super Bowl has been a platform for exclusivity and luxury collaborations, but this moment suggests that the speed and scale of Zara-like brands – UNIQLO, H&M, Shein – could be winning the world over. In contrast, his co-performer and surprise guest Lady Gaga wore a custom Luar salsa-inspired baby-blue dress by Dominican designer Raul Lopez. Her look felt perfectly aligned with the theme, from the designer to the final product. Even the shade of blue subtly nodded to Puerto Rico’s 1895 flag, echoed again in the red and white flowers and, of course, her white hair. For Benito, while unconfirmed, Zara’s Spanish origins and accessibility to his global audience may have factored into the decision in a way many alternative designers could not.
As for the players – in my completely unbiased opinion – the Seattle Seahawks may have stolen the show. Star wide receiver and Offensive Player of the Year Jackson Smith-Njigba leaned into the growing trend of pairing ties with less formal silhouettes, layering his under a cropped varsity-style Thom Browne jacket. He wasn’t alone in the cropped look either. Rookie of the Year candidate Nick Emanwori went full leather, wearing black leather trousers and a heavy iced-out cross chain as the centrepiece. On the Patriots side, Stefon Diggs echoed a similar energy with the chain and cropped zip-up, but differentiated himself with a red leather belt featuring “Snoop” across the buckle, a childhood nickname given to him by his mother.
Taken together, the tail end of this NFL season and even recent NBA tunnel fits suggest a broader pivot toward more fitted, cropped silhouettes. Players who once favored dramatically oversized proportions are now leaning into sharper tailoring and abbreviated cuts. It mirrors the wider fashion climate, where proportions are steadily tightening, and structure is returning to the forefront. Seen alongside the Super Bowl stage itself, the message feels consistent. Whether in a halftime performance or a pre-game tunnel walk, restraint and structure seem to be quietly taking the lead. The spectacle hasn’t disappeared, but it’s being expressed through precision rather than volume. And increasingly, that restraint feels like the statement itself.