Before becoming the chart-topping sensation we know as Post Malone, there was Pre Malone, an alter ego donning micro-cutoff shorts named Leon DiChino. At 17, young Post, as we fondly imagine, showcased his synthy track “Why Don’t You Love Me?” in a Photo Booth-heavy music video for his high school art class. Reflecting on those days, he humorously referred to his dungarees as “Chuck Norris action shorts” on Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club, jokingly claiming to be missing only the leg brace worn by wrestling legend Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Fast forward to the present, and Post Malone has carved out a niche as a rugged style icon, transforming his raggedy tees, gas station trucker caps, and glitzy Western wear into a modern, carefree rockstar wardrobe. During his recent If Y’all Weren’t Here I’d Be Crying tour stop in North Carolina, he took the stage in a cutoff camo-print tank and jean shorts, epitomizing maximum comfort and ease of movement. For Post, dancing never feels better than when he’s clad in his hacked-off Daisy Dukes.

While his contemporary jorts might offer a tad more wiggle room than the earlier “Chuck Norris action shorts,” they remain optimized for goofing off and letting loose on stage. For those inspired to craft their pair of Stone Cold cut-offs, GQ provides a handy guide for the endeavour. The recurring camouflage print in his tank and attire is a signature of Post Malone, chosen not only for its stylistic appeal but also for the bodily freedom it allows. As Post himself explained to GQ last fall, camo is the most flattering fabric, conveniently concealing any belly underneath it. With a nod to his childhood memories of running around outdoors, camo has always been a beloved choice for him.

The combination of jorts and camo serves as powerful tools in the art of dancing as if nobody’s watching or, in the case of camo, dancing as though no one can see you. It encapsulates the essence of carefree self-expression and the joy of being authentically oneself. Post Malone’s evolution from Pre Malone to Post Malone has been a transformative journey, not just in his music but also in his style. Today, he effortlessly embodies the spirit of a modern-day rockstar, inspiring fans to embrace their true selves and dance to the rhythm of life, beautifully unencumbered by convention.