Bill Nye, 68, Is Unrecognizable Rocking Bling and Streetwear in Solar Eclipse-Themed Photo Shoot

Not even a total solar eclipse can overshadow Bill Nye’s epic makeover. 

It isn't often we get to see the engineer and famed “Science Guy” in a look other than his lab coat, suits and bow tie of the day. But the rare cosmic event happening on April 8 — during which the moon passes between the sun and Earth, obscuring the sun and therefore blanketing areas in its path in darkness — seemed to be the right occasion for Nye, 68, to experiment with his style.

In a new photo shoot for Time Out New York, the science whiz is completely decked out in flashy items styled by Melissa Lynn Woodbury, making him look unrecognizable. 

In one photo, he wears a No Maintenance tracksuit with a bomber jacket and bling (yes, that’s a chain necklace). In another, he's dressed in a silver coat, by clothing brand Rough., and futuristic OXF shades, which creates a modern space age look.

He also wears a seriously cool red-orange jacket by Dingyun Zhang with cargo pants on the cover. Seeming to nod to the solar eclipse, Nye also proudly spotlights the planetary system on his Re/Done T-shirt, which is layered under a Versace vest that gives the outfit a chic edge.

All in all, the looks are so on trend that we were shocked to discover this wasn’t Nye’s Zoolander debut or a high-fashion campaign. 

Aside from the fashion, Nye’s Time Out interview includes his take on the solar eclipse — and why it’s a can’t miss celestial encounter (the next time it’ll happen is in another 20 years). 

“I really encourage everybody to take that day, that midday drive up the road. Get in the totality,” he told the outlet. “If you're not quite in the path, it’s not quite the same.”

The eclipse will start at Mexico’s Pacific coast, before entering the United States in Texas, where Nye will be stationed. From there, it will travel through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine and then make its way to Canada. 

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For those who can’t travel to a primetime viewing post, Nye said it’s really the communal value that makes the moment so exciting. “It’s a so-called shared experience."

And while NASA and Nye advise watching the eclipse happen with eclipse glasses (which, unlike regular shades, are made for direct sun-watching), why not do it in style with a Bill Nye-branded pair for $6.50. 

Though Nye’s transformation is shocking, this isn’t the first time he’s dipped a toe into fashion. In 2020, he made his runway debut at The Blue Jacket Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week. He jammed down the catwalk to Lizzo as he modeled a floral-patterned blazer. See the viral moment here!