Pat Lipinski, a key player for the Collingwood Magpies, has a unique fashion mantra: never wear the same shoes two days in a row. With a collection of approximately 80 pairs of sneakers, this rule is more than feasible for the 27-year-old AFL star. “Obviously they cycle back, but if I wore one pair yesterday, I’d try not to wear it again today,” Lipinski shared in an interview with AFL.com.au.
Lipinski’s sneaker collection is a mix of regularly worn favorites and rare finds, with about 20 pairs in regular rotation. The rest, including vintage pairs and runners, are stored in boxes in his garage. “It’s overflowing, I’ve got a few in my cupboard now,” he admitted. “They’re all pretty messy at the moment, so I need to sell a few.”
The Influence of a Premiership Hawk
Lipinski’s journey into the world of sneakers began during his time with the Western Bulldogs, where he was influenced by Matt Suckling, a known sneaker enthusiast. “At the Bulldogs, Matt Suckling was a big sneakerhead. And as you do when you’re a young player, you look up to some of the older boys,” Lipinski explained. His early years in the AFL coincided with a surge in sneaker culture, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when people had disposable income and sneaker raffles became a popular pastime.
Before his AFL career, Lipinski was not particularly concerned with fashion. Growing up a fan of the Western Bulldogs, he was drafted shortly after their 2016 premiership win. “Maybe when I was younger I’d wear a Tommy Hilfiger or Ralph Lauren shirt to a party and thought it was pretty cool, but I wasn’t into it much,” he reflected. His fashion sense began to evolve with the influence of his long-term partner, Chloe Geraerts, who works in marketing and PR at fashion brand Henne.
Fashion Forward: Social Media and Personal Branding
Lipinski’s social media presence, boasting nearly 80,000 Instagram followers, is a testament to his growing influence in the fashion world. His platforms feature fashion shoots, clothing critiques, and simple fashion tips for men. “My girlfriend taught me everything on social media like how to edit videos and what to post,” he said. “She definitely had an effect early days in my fashion and getting me out of a few of my really bad kits I was wearing and tailored me into some nicer things.”
The AFL landscape has shifted, with players increasingly embracing their personal brands and fashion interests. “When I started playing, if you posted a photo of yourself playing on social media it was like ‘Mate, what are you doing posting a footy photo, you’re so ahead of yourself’. But now it’s just all part of it,” Lipinski noted. He appreciates the change, encouraging players to express themselves beyond the field.
From Sneakers to High Fashion
Lipinski’s fashion journey has led to modeling opportunities with high-profile brands such as Ralph Lauren, Yves Saint Laurent, and Louis Vuitton. His first modeling experience with Uniqlo was daunting, but he has since embraced the role. “I’m not very good at modeling. It was a bit daunting to start. But it’s been super cool to get involved with different campaigns,” he said.
His latest venture is a clothing collaboration with Melbourne-based brand Push Pull, set to launch officially on Wednesday. The collection includes jeans, a t-shirt, sweater, jacket, hat, and hoodie. “The idea is trying to make my favorite outfit. I love the navy colors, I’m always in those, so I wanted to make something that is one outfit but very interchangeable,” Lipinski explained.
Looking Ahead: Football and Fashion
As Lipinski prepares for the upcoming AFL season, he remains focused on his primary role as a footballer. The Magpies are set to face St Kilda in the Opening Round at the MCG, marking the start of a season where Lipinski is expected to reach significant career milestones. “It’s exciting to see a lot of young guys who have had good pre-seasons and hopefully they can really drive the group forward,” he said. “I think we’re extremely capable. We’ve got a great list, a lot of great experience, so I’m super excited.”
For now, Lipinski continues to balance his passion for fashion with his dedication to football, ready to swap his stylish outfits for the iconic black and white stripes of Collingwood.
