In April 2017, I sat down with Charles Barkley for a session on Scoop B Radio Overtime that turned into a deep dive into NBA fashion history—specifically, his infamous burgundy suit from the 1984 NBA Draft. While that suit has been the punchline of countless jokes on Inside the NBA, our conversation revealed the “buttoned-up” truth behind the threads. For Barkley, the suit wasn’t a fashion faux pas; it was a symbol of his journey from poverty to the pinnacle of professional sports.
Reflecting on this in 2025, Barkley’s 1984 attire serves as a powerful reminder of how far he—and the league—have come.
“When You’re Poor, You Get That One Suit”
Barkley provided a candid look at the economic reality of a young athlete coming out of Leeds, Alabama. He didn’t have a team of stylists or a closet full of options. He had one goal: to look his best with what he had.
“Well when you’re poor, you get that one suit and that was it,” Barkley told me. “You know, first of all, I don’t mind growing up poor; it just made me a better person. But man, burgundy was my favorite color. I wanted to have a nice suit for the draft and we went out and got it.”
In 2025, where draftees arrive in custom-tailored masterpieces that cost more than some people’s cars, Barkley’s story is a “reality check.” That burgundy suit was a trophy—a signal that he had finally “made it.”
The Anatomy of the “Burgundy Fit”
The suit was bold, double-breasted, and form-fitting (which was a challenge for the “Round Mound of Rebound” at the time). He even paired it with a matching burgundy tie.
| Draft Day Detail | Charles Barkley (1984) | Modern Draftee (2025) |
| Color Choice | Signature Burgundy | Custom Prints / Designer Hues |
| Reasoning | Personal favorite / Only “nice” option | Brand partnerships / Stylist vision |
| Button Style | Gold double-breasted | Variety of designer cuts |
| Legacy | Cultural meme / Badge of honor | Viral social media moment |
A Start to an Amazing Journey
Despite the teasing he takes from Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith, Barkley looks back on that night with nothing but fondness. He recognizes that the burgundy suit was the starting line for everything that followed.
“Listen, let me tell you something: that brings back some good memories,” Barkley remarked. “You know, the draft was the start of my amazing journey through life, and I’ve had an amazing life—and it all started that night.”
Looking back from 2025, that night wasn’t just about the Philadelphia 76ers drafting their future superstar; it was the birth of one of the most authentic personalities in sports history. Barkley was being himself in 1984, burgundy and all, just as he is today.
2025 Retrospective: The “Common Sense” Suit
Today, Barkley remains a fashion icon in his own right, often wearing maroon or burgundy suits on TNT as a nod to his roots. His 2017 session on Scoop B Radio reminded us that behind the humor, there is a man who is incredibly proud of where he came from.
As Barkley said to me:
“Burgundy was my favorite color.”
Sometimes, the simplest reason is the most “buttoned-up” truth of all.
