What You Need To Know

• What You Need To Know
• In the '90s, Maxwell helped bring the neo-soul subgenre into the mainstream.
• His signature wild hair and bohemian Afrocentric look changed the way male R&B singers dressed.
• The singer recently reinvented his image, opting for a classic style that includes custom suits.

Why He's A Style Icon

Maxwell burst onto the music scene in the '90s with his smooth vocals and swagger. He, along with artists like Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, helped make neo soul a legit subgenre of R&B. With countless No. 1 hits and multi-platinum singles, the singer became a favorite, and his music was considered to be the ultimate in slow jams.

But then the singer went on hiatus, and fans didn’t think that they would see him again, until 2009, when he reappeared with a new album BLACKsummers’night, his first in eight years. And it was a major success, becoming Maxwell’s second album to debut at No.1 on the Billboard Top 100. The album also garnered him 10 nominations for 2010’s Grammy Awards.

Not many people can say that they’ve been a style icon twice, but Maxwell can. In the '90s, the singer’s style was bohemian and Afrocentric -- in direct correlation with his sound. Tie-dye dashikis, mixed-textile tunics and loose-hanging slacks made up this singer’s style regimen. And when he made his big comeback, fans were expecting the same. His sound was still unmistakable, but this time around, the singer embraced European suiting and tailoring for every appearance and performance, a la Don Draper and Roger Sterling. Vintage hats, custom shirting and slim-leg bottoms make up Maxwell’s new style rubric. The biggest surprise is the clean grooming and cut hair. Maxwell’s once defiant and political styling has been replaced by classic, clean style statements -- which suits his music just fine.

Dress The Maxwell Way

Maxwell’s classic style can be easily emulated. The singer relies on accessories that don’t necessarily include men's jewelry. Rather, classic shoes with an edgy element (like these Hugo Boss shoes), vintage hats or custom ties are the way to go. Maxwell loves flashy fashion, but he has adopted a less-is-more policy when it comes to shine. Single pieces can sometimes be all the embellishment that is needed. For separates, look to slim-leg slacks, cardigans and light blazers. Collars on shirts can be unbuttoned for a casual spring look.