Fashion Player Award 2023 winner Eloy Room: ‘’We always rate each other’s outfits’’
It’s been an eventful year for Eloy Room. Last season, he tried to save Vitesse from an inevitable relegation given the club’s point deduction. Unfortunately, the mission failed and this summer he was without a club for a while until Belgian side Cercle Brugge signed him to replace their injured goalkeeper. However, off the pitch, Eloy Room also caught our eyes with his sense for fashion. Our fans voted in high numbers for the 35-year-old in our Fashion Player Awards and was crowned the winner. With the Fashion Player Awards 2024 on the agenda next week, it’s the perfect time to look back on our interview with the fashionable goalkeeper.
How would you describe your clothing style?
‘’I like something a bit different, with a slightly more oversized style. It’s important to me that my clothes are comfortable. I really like oversized clothing, and colours are important to me as well. When choosing what to wear, I always consider what I have planned for the day, but I often opt for a comfy fit. I just make sure my outfit fits the occasion.’’
You played football in the United States for several years. How has the country influenced your clothing style?
‘’People in America are more flexible with their style. Some things my American teammates would wear wouldn’t really catch on with the guys here in the Netherlands. So, I picked up some influences from that, but I try to stick to my own style. The street style mostly impacted my passion for sneakers. That’s definitely more of an American thing, so I really grew into that while I was there. I was always interested in sneakers in the Netherlands too, but the vibe is just different there. It’s much bigger, and since then, I’ve really added a lot of variety to the sneakers I own. So, if I can say so myself, I’ve built quite a nice collection now.’’
Which footballer inspires you in terms of fashion?
‘’There are a lot of footballers who are into fashion, but I think it all started with David Beckham. He was the first player to really combine football with fashion. When I was younger, I looked up to him. Even today, he’s still a style icon, so Beckham is definitely a footballer who inspires me when it comes to fashion.’’
Which (former) teammate has the best clothing style?
‘’Marco van Ginkel and Melle Meulensteen both have a great, unique style. There are a lot of guys who dress well, but those two stand out for me. We’re always rating each other’s outfits and compliment each other when someone looks good. Fashion is important to a lot of footballers and is always a conversation topic.’’
If you go back 10 years, what fashion item would you never wear again?
‘’There was a phase when skinny jeans were really in, but I wouldn’t wear those now. Slim-fit jeans are still okay, but the true skinny jeans as they used to be just aren’t for me anymore. Plus, they don’t really work well with a footballer’s legs, haha.’’
In what ways do you take care of your appearance?
‘’If you have a good sense of style, you obviously want to look well-groomed too. I think it’s important to go to the barber often, so I always look fresh. Hygiene, of course, is essential, but skincare is as well.’’
You have many tattoos all over your body. What do these tattoos mean to you in terms of appearance?
‘’For me, it’s a way to express myself. With clothing, you show your personality, and it’s the same with my tattoos. Each of my tattoos has a meaning and represents things I’ve experienced in my life. They all tell a story and are really part of who I am. For example, I have my daughter’s name and date of birth tattooed on my hands. It happened fairly quickly, and I’m pretty much covered now, but I still don’t regret it.’’
How important are jewellery and accessories to you?
‘’They really complete an outfit. I wear a watch almost every day. I have a few watches that I can match well with my clothes. I also think necklaces are really nice; they can really elevate your look to the next level.’’
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