Kelly Oubre fuels fashion sense through emotions

“This is the most expensive jacket I’ve ever bought in my life,” Kelly Oubre said as he sat down on a couch in his apartment building in Washington, D.C.

Oubre was sporting a $4,500 coat from Kith — a stark contrast to the outerwear he was wearing earlier that afternoon, a $40 jacket from Urban Outfitters.

For the Washington Wizards’ sixth man, fashion is not about dressing up to make other people think you’re fashionable. It’s about feeling good.

“I just create the wave,” Oubre said. “I don’t really follow anything. … I don’t get any inspiration from anywhere. It’s just what comes from inside.”

In his three years in the league, especially this year, Oubre’s pregame outfits have become a sight to see.

“I prioritize basketball first,” Oubre said, “but when I can go and do some things that have to do with fashion, which I love, I go do it.”

Originally from New Orleans, Oubre has embraced East Coast fashion. He said he doesn’t do a ton of shopping, but when he does, he often shops online. While he has his fair share of designer clothing (and accessories, including a Rolex and prescription Cartier glasses), Oubre prefers thrift shopping.

Two of his favorite outfits represent that ideology — the Urban Outfitters jacket and a black “Wave” inscripted jacket his girlfriend made for him.

He lists Urban Outfitters, Diet Starts Monday and Ubiq as his go-to stores in D.C.

“On the East Coast, people take their fashion pretty seriously,” Oubre said. “People don’t really care what other people are doing. That’s why I really like it here. Because it’s more hard-nosed, more gritty.

“You kind of have to make a name for yourself — just for yourself. It’s not for everybody else, because nobody cares what you’re doing. So that’s why I just dress up every day. I gotta look stylish and fashionable every day because it makes me happy.”

Oubre’s nickname, “Wave Papi,” is a persona all about believing in energy and not getting caught up in an egotistical world.

He plans to have his own fashion line, Dope Soul, up and running by the 2019-20 NBA season. The proceeds will go to an organization that benefits the community.

For now, he wears a lot of Supreme — one of his favorite brands. Oubre made waves in December when he wore a Supreme sleeve in a game and subsequently had to have it removed. He gave that sleeve away, but he has still managed to fit the brand into his game outfit — in his shoes.

The freedom to wear what he wants has come with age. Growing up, Oubre had to wear a uniform at school, so he learned to make his outfits look different by changing up his accessories or shoes.

“I would say I was a rebel,” Oubre said. “But what fashion icon isn’t?”

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