Style Profile: Photographer Chris Ly shows off streetwear-influenced style

Chris Ly, @therealchinaman, enjoys classic video games, Tron, Marvel, and Star Wars. His geek style ranges from “casual, to hipster-esque, to streetwear-influenced.” The photographer, podcaster, and content creator appreciates prints, bright colors, and unique accessories, including sneakers, backpacks, pins, and cool eyewear.

What are your diehard fandoms?

I am a diehard fan of Star Wars, Marvel, Tron, and tons of classic video games, like Legend of Zelda and Mario.

How would you describe your personal geek style?

I bounce between super casual, to hipster-esque, to streetwear-influenced. I love prints and brightly colored pieces. I’ve always been a fan of sneakers and specialty graphic tees, so you’ll mostly find me wearing some Nikes, slim pants, and a geeky tee. I enjoy when someone sees my shirt and says, “Oh, that’s an amazing (insert fandom here) shirt! I’ve never seen that one!” So much that I used to design my own when I was in high school so that I wouldn’t wear what everyone else is wearing.

What favorite geek fashion items can be found in your closet?

I love my colorful backpack from Topo Designs that is full of some of my favorite geeky pins I’ve purchased online and at conventions. My “Galactic Empire” shirt designed by Sket-One is my favorite Star Wars shirt (I even have both colorways of it). I also love my amazing Halloween-themed Bomber Jacket that I got from Fresh Hoods. I need to find more occasions to wear my He-Man fanny pack that I bought from SDCC a few years ago.

Describe your go-to geeky outfit.

Some nice sneakers, comfortable slim fit jeans, and a nerdy tee or printed button-up shirt. Anything with good hits of color, a print that stands out a little bit, or something that feels comfortable is what I wear daily. And even though I own contacts, I’m pretty attached to my new glasses from Ambr Eyewear.

Where do you find yourself searching or shopping the most for your geek fashion needs?

I love looking through certain booths at conventions that do limited-run shirts. Places like Story Spark or Beyond the Gift Shop have very unique designs that fit with my style. I shop a lot via Uniqlo, TeePublic, and unique sites like ShirtPunch and Ript Apparel. Also, a well-placed Instagram ad will sometimes sucker me into buying a geeky shirt that I’ve never seen before.

Feel free to shout out any personal geeky passions, projects, or business endeavors:

Please feel free to find The Nerd Lys podcast on any of your favorite podcast apps. Most of our links are available on our website, TheNerdLys.com. We are also making content on YouTube (youtube.com/thenerdlys) and gaming on Twitch (twitch.tv/thenerdlys)! Personally, I have my photography work available on my website, https://oddlycaptured.com, or at https://instagram.com/oddlycaptured. Feel free to contact me if you’d like to work together!

The Temple of Geek Chic Style Profile features the fabulous personal fashion of real-life geeks. It’s a great way to get to know stylish geeks you may have seen on social media. As a bonus, you’ll get geek style tips, ideas, inspiration, and discover new places to shop for geeky apparel and accessories. 

About Author

Lavender Vroman

Lavender Vroman spent 15 years as an entertainment writer, editor, and film critic before launching her own website, nomansland.blog. Her graphic novel will be published in 2024. She spends too much time thinking about Star Wars.

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