Chilly Gonzales' Pan Am Bathrobe And Slippers: A Nod To Couch Athletes Everywhere

With any opening ceremonies for a global sporting event, there are bound to be a few eccentricities. And when you combine that with a musician who's known for marching to the tune of his own piano (We know, we know, grooooooan), you go one better.

Chilly Gonzales, the Canadian-born pianist who has collaborated with many of the country's biggest names in music, was on hand to help play "O Canada" at the Pan Am Games opening ceremonies in Toronto — and true to form, he didn't play it straight, but rather improvised on the anthem and then accompanied Veronic DiCaire for the singing of the song.

"O Canada" a cargo de Chilly Gonzalez pic.twitter.com/ndhftLT7SE

— Correo Canadiense (@correoca) July 11, 2015

But frankly, that wasn't what anyone cared about once they got a glimpse of what appeared to be his bathrobe and slipper get-up. The red crushed velvet jacket, along with matching socks and black slippers, were a surprising choice for the event, but they were certainly patriotically coloured.

O Canada! http://cbc.ca/panam

A photo posted by Chilly Gonzales (@chilly_gonzales) on Jul 10, 2015 at 5:15pm PDT

Upon closer examination, it was likely a smoking jacket, but we'll let Twitter users tell you what they thought:

I don't know about everyone but @chillygonzales crushed velvet robe is the best part of the #PanAm2015 opening ceremony.

— deirdre schwartz (@deirdreschwartz) July 11, 2015

Wait @chillygonzales is wearing a shiny housecoat and playing piano for tens of thousands in "rave" lighting. #Panamonium

— Sook-Yin Lee (@sookyinlee) July 11, 2015

Chilly Gonzales is winning best #OpeningCeremonies outfit so far! Love the robe. #CBCPanAm

— Alison Smedley (@alison_smedley) July 11, 2015

Not only does Chilly Gonzales have on a Hugh Hefner robe, he's also wearing slippers. Could there be a pipe in his pocket? #PanAmGames

— Leanne Elnicki (@LateNightLeanne) July 11, 2015

Now for the Evening Gown Portion of the Miss Pan Am Ceremony, as introduced by Chilly Gonzales with the Hugh Hefner Robe.
#PanAmCeremony

— J. Roca (@JRoc23) July 11, 2015

The look, as it turns out, is pretty common for Gonzales, since this is what he wore to play at Versailles earlier this year:

Vanavond in het @Concertgebouw: Chilly Gonzales. @Pleij zocht hem alvast op in Versailles. http://t.co/1q3KkdY6z6 pic.twitter.com/Hy5ZiC2YLY

— Vrij Nederland (@vrij_nederland) June 3, 2015

Whatever the reason, we applaud you and your bold fashion choices, Chilly. Whatever lets that beautiful music out is an outfit we can back.


ALSO ON HUFFPOST

-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.