Most stylish New Yorkers: Stalley

Rapper Stalley is a self-professed sneakerhead (he once worked at Alife Rivington Club), and draws on his Ohio upbringing in creating his blue-collar–inspired style. He proves he’s one of the most stylish New Yorkers by blending streetwear from A Bathing Ape with Americana threads from RRL and Carhartt Work in Progress.

RECOMMENDED: Most stylish New Yorkers

Stalley, 30, recording artist and rapper (stalley330.com); Dumbo, Brooklyn

His personal style: “It’s a combination of Americana, streetwear and sports apparel. I love denim, gold, great fabrics, and classic, simple, clean designs. [Being a musician] gives me total freedom to be artistic and creative with my style. There are no rules in the music industry, so I get to be myself. I think I am one of the few recording artists that doesn’t have a stylist.”
 
His inspirations: “America, cowboys, mechanics, my upbringing in Ohio, hard work and just the overall blue-collar lifestyle. I grew up in the Midwest around pimps and hustlers so that’s also an influence, even though it may not be as evident.”
 
Favorite stores: “The clothing at RRL (locations throughout the city; visit ralphlauren.com) embodies the American style that I love. It’s classic and simple. Carhartt Work in Progress (119 Crosby St between E Houston and Prince Sts; 212-219-2934, carhartt-wip.com) has classic worker wear, so it fits the whole Ohio mentality of hard work and blue collar. I get my jewelry done by David Bling at Toxsur & Co. (1196 Sixth Ave at 47th St, suite 23; 212-300-7177, toxsur.com). He is able to make my ideas come to life [through his] custom pieces.”
   
His signature accessory: “A fitted Ohio team hat—I’m rarely without one.”
 
How he describes New York style: “It’s trendy. New Yorkers are always experimenting with new styles, but a lot of people just wear the cool thing of the moment.”
 
How his style has evolved: “It has stayed the same, but now I can afford pieces that I couldn’t before so I’m able to express it a little bit more and accessorize the way I always wanted to.”
 
Favorite salons: “I get my hair cut by Sherman Legendre at De Lux Gallery (704 Fulton St between South Oxford St and South Portland Ave, Fort Greene, Brooklyn; 718-522-3324, deluxgallery.com). It feels like home, and I’ve been going there since I first came to NYC. Sherman knows exactly what to do and also how to take care of my beard. I get facials, scrubs, massages and my nails and feet done at the Red Door Spa (663 Fifth Ave between 52nd and 53rd Sts; 212-546-0200, reddoorspas.com) because it’s relaxing and they have great service. I work [hard] and feel like I deserve to pamper myself.”

Follow Cristina Velocci on Twitter: @cvelocci