Hip hop fashion

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Hip hop fashion is a distinctive style of dress originating with the African-American youth living in New York City and Los Angeles. Each city contributed various elements to its overall style seen worldwide today. Hip hop fashion complements the expressions and attitudes of hip hop culture in general. Hip hop fashion has changed significantly during its history, and today it is a prominent part of popular fashion as a whole across the world and for all ethnicities.

1 Late 1970s to mid-1980s
2 Late 1980s to early 1990s fashion
3 Mid-1990s to late 1990s fashion
4 Modern hip hop fashion
- 4.1 Expanding influence
- 4.2 Recent trends
5 Criticism of hip hop fashion
6 References

[edit] Late 1970s to mid-1980s

UTFO highlights the Kangol as the sole fashion accessory on this album cover

In the early 1980s, established sportswear and fashion brands, such as Le Coq Sportif, Kangol and Adidas, attached themselves to the emerging hip hop scene.

During the 1980s, hip-hop icons like Run-DMC and LL Cool J wore clothing items such as brightly colored name-brand tracksuits, sheepskin and leather bomber jackets,^[1] Clarks shoes,^[1] and sneakers (usually Adidas-brand shelltoes and often with "phat" or oversized shoelaces^[2]). Popular haircuts ranged from the early-1980s Jheri curl^[2] to the late-1980s hi-top fade^[2] popularized by Will Smith (The Fresh Prince) and Christopher "Kid" Reid of Kid 'n Play, among others.

Popular accessories included large glasses (Cazals^[3] or Gazelles^[1]), Kangol bucket hats,^[1] nameplates,^[1] name belts,^[1] and multiple rings.^[2] Heavy gold jewelry was also popular in the 1980s; heavy jewelry in general would become an enduring element of hip hop fashion.^[4] In general, men's jewelry focused on heavy gold chains and women's jewelry on large gold earrings.^[4] Performers such as Kurtis Blow and Big Daddy Kane helped popularize gold necklaces and other such jewelry, and female rappers such as Roxanne Shanté and the group Salt-N-Pepa helped popularize oversized gold door-knocker earrings. The heavy jewelry was suggestive of prestige and wealth, and some have connected the style to Africanism.^[5]

1980s hip hop fashion is remembered as one of the most important elements of old school hip hop, and it is often celebrated in nostalgic hip hop songs such as Ahmad's 1994 single "Back in the Day", and Missy Elliott's 2002 single "Back in the Day".

[edit] Late 1980s to early 1990s fashion

Black nationalism was increasingly influential in rap during the late 1980s, and fashions and hairstyles reflected traditional African influences.^[4]^[2] Blousy pants were popular among dance-oriented rappers like MC Hammer.^[4] Fezzes,^[4] kufis decorated with the Kemetic ankh,^[4] Kente cloth hats,^[4] Africa chains,^[2] dreadlocks,^[2] and red, black, and green clothing^[2] became popular as well, promoted by artists such as Queen Latifah KRS-One, Public Enemy, and X-Clan).

In the early 1990s, pop rappers such as The Fresh Prince, Kid 'n Play, and Left Eye of TLC popularized baseball caps and bright, often neon-colored, clothing.^[2] Kris Kross also established the fad of wearing clothes backwards.^[4]

Hip hop influences are seen in Chanel's Fall 1991 collection.

The Nike capture of soon to be superstar basketball protege Michael Jordan from rivals Adidas in 1984 proved to be a huge turning point, as Nike dominated the urban streetwear sneaker market in the late 80's and early 90's. Other clothing brands such as Champion, Carhaart and Timberland were very closely associated with the scene, particularly on the East coast with hip hop acts such as Wu Tang Clan and Gangstarr sporting the look.

Hip hop fashion in this period also influenced high fashion designs. In the late 1980s, Isaac Mizrahi, inspired by his elevator operator who wore a heavy gold chain, showed a collection deeply influenced by hip hop fashion.^[6] Models wore black catsuits, "gold chains, big gold nameplate-inspired belts, and black bomber jackets with fur-trimmed hoods."^[6] Womenswear Daily called the look "homeboy chic."^[6] In the early 1990s, Chanel showed hip-hop-inspired fashion in several shows. In one, models wore black leather jackets and piles of gold chains.^[6] In another, they wore long black dresses, accessorized with heavy, padlocked silver chains.^[6] (These silver chains were remarkably similar to the metal chain-link and padlock worn by Treach of Naughty by Nature, who said he did so in solidarity with "all the brothers who are locked down."^[6]) The hip hop trend, however, did not last; fickle designers quickly moved on to new influences.^[6]

[edit] Mid-1990s to late 1990s fashion

[edit] Gangsta style

Gangsta rap became one of the most prevalent styles of hip hop, and by the mid-1990s, hip hop fashion had taken on significant influence from the dress styles of street thugs and prison inmates. West Coast gangsta rappers adopted the style of Los Angeles' cholos (Chicano gangsters),^[4] including baggy pants,^[4] black ink tattoos, bandannas,^[4] and shirt tails outside one's pants.^[4] Dark denim prison gear were also popular.^[7] The style of sagging one's pants, or wearing them baggy and low without a belt, was also style that originated in prisons. This style of fashion, along with its associated hand signs and territorial or "homeboy" mentality, was adopted by African-American youth in Los Angeles initially, and later by the hip hop community at large.

[edit] Fashion among hip-hop elites

On the West Coast, members of the hip hop community looked back to the gangsters of the 1930s and 1940s for inspiration.^[7] Mafioso influences, especially and primarily inspired by the 1983 remake version of Scarface, became popular in hip hop. Many rappers set aside gang-inspired clothing in favor of classic gangster fashions such as bowler hats,^[7] double-breasted suits,^[7] silk shirts,^[7] and alligator-skin shoes ("gators")^[2]. In some areas of the mid-west, including Detroit, this style has been a staple in hip-hop fashion, regardless of current trends.^{[citation needed]}

MC of the Senegalese rap crew Daara J in Germany, 2005.

On the East Coast, "ghetto fabulous" fashion (a term coined by Sean Combs) was on the rise.^[7] Combs, the Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans, Russell Simmons, and others were popularizing a style was derived from high-fashion looks, but where luxury items were worn big and baggy.^[7]

[edit] Sportswear

Tommy Hilfiger was the most prominent brand in 1990s sportswear, though Polo, Calvin Klein, Nautica, and DKNY were also popular.^[8] When Snoop Doggy Dogg wore a Hilfiger sweatshirt during an appearance on Saturday Night Live, it sold out of New York City stores the next day.^[8] Hilfiger's popularity was due to its perceived waspiness, which made it seem exclusive and aspirational.^[8] Moreover, Hilfiger courted the new hip hop market: black models featured prominently in the company's advertising campaigns, and rappers like Puffy and Coolio walked during its runways shows.^[8]

Other brands, including FUBU, Ecko Unlimited, Mecca USA, Lugz, Walker Wear, Boss Jeans by IG Design, and Enyce, arose to capitalize on the market for urban streetwear.^[8] They followed in Hilfiger's footsteps by manufacturing all-American styles emblazoned with huge logos.^[8]

[edit] The rise of hip-pop

The rise of hip-pop in the late-1990s, primarily the work of Sean "Diddy" Combs, known locally around New York at that time as the "Shiny Suit Man" brought elements such as loud, flashy PVC aviator inspired suits and platinum jewelry to the forefront of hip hop in an effort to add a new vivid dimension of color and flash to the videos produced as a marketing tool. Combs, who started his own Sean John clothing line, and clothing manufacturers such as Karl Kani and FUBU brought hip hop fashion to the mainstream, resulting in a multi-million dollar hip hop fashion industry. There was a resurgence of traditional African-American hairstyles such as cornrows and Afros, as well as the Caesar low-cut. Caesars and cornrows are maintained by wearing a do-rag over the head during periods of sleeping and home activity to prevent the hair from being displaced or tossled. Do-rags soon became popular hip hop fashion items in their own right.

The "hip-pop" era also saw the split between male and female hip hop fashion, which had previously been more or less similar. Women in hip hop had emulated the male tough-guy fashions such as baggy jeans, "Loc" sunglasses, tough looks and heavy workboots; many, such as Da Brat, accomplished this with little more than some lip gloss and a bit of make-up to make the industrial work pants and work boots feminine. The female performers who completely turned the tide such as Lil Kim and Foxy Brown popularized glamourous, high-fashion feminine hip hop styles,^[2] such as Kimora Lee Simmons fashion line of Baby Phat. While Lauryn Hill and Eve popularized more conservative styles that still maintained both a distinctly feminine and distinctly hip hop feel.^[2]

Bling-bling jewelry

[edit] Bling culture

In the mid- to late 1990s, platinum replaced gold as the metal of choice in hip hop fashion.^[4] Artists and fans alike wore platinum (or silver) jewelry, often embedded with diamonds. Jay-Z, Juvenile, and The Hot Boys were largely responsible for this trend.^[4] Lil Wayne coined the term "bling-bling,"^{[citation needed]} which was popularized in B.G.'s 1999 hit song "Bling Bling." Platinum fronts also became popular; Cash Money Records executive/rapper Brian "Baby" Williams infamously has an entire mouthful of permanent platinum teeth. Others have fashioned grills, removable metal jewelled teeth coverings.

With the advent of "bling" culture, the turn of the century saw an increase in established luxury brands beginning to make inroads into the market such as Burberry, Gucci and Fendi all making appearances in hip hop videos and films. The most popular shoe of the era was the Nike Air Force One, immortalized in the song by Nelly.

[edit] Modern hip hop fashion

After the influx of the hip-pop influence, hip hop fashion became less based in actual street wear and more in an idealization of such. Hip hop clothing is often produced by popular and successful designers, who charge significant amounts for their products.

The main elements of modern male hip hop fashion are baggy or sagging jeans, gold or platinum chains, boots or a fresh pair of kicks (sneakers), and a bandana or do-rag tied around the head (often with a fitted cap on top). Large T-Shirts are also standard street wear.

In the 1990s and 2000s, many hip hop artists and executives started their own fashion labels and clothing lines.^[9] Notable examples include Russell Simmons (Phat Farm), Kimora Lee Simmons (Baby Phat), Damon Dash and Jay-Z (Rocawear), 50 Cent (G-Unit Clothing), Eminem (Shady Ltd),OutKast (OutKast Clothing) and Beyoncé Knowles (House of dereon). Other prominent hip hop fashion companies have included Karl Kani and FUBU, Ecko, Girbaud, Enyce, Famous Stars and Straps, Bape, LRG, Sean John, Timberland Boots, and Akademiks.

[edit] Expanding influence

According to many, hip hop fashion has become much more mainstream, possibly due to the popular acceptance of hip hop culture. Today, arguably more so than in the past, the music goes with the fashion; one does not exist without the other. Present-day hip hop fashion is not simply limited to one particular group of people but to anyone who has decided to identify with the culture. Today, hip hop fashion is worn by a significant percentage of young people around the world. There are now a significant number of retailers that are dedicated to the sale of hip hop inspired fashions such as Dr.Jays.

Kanye West performing in 2006

Hip hop fashion is often satirised by comedians such as Ali G.

There seems to have been a slight backlash against the over-exposed, easily available streetwear brands from major followers of the scene, and vintage and limited-edition sneakers and apparel have become popular. Original Air Jordan MK1's have been seen on ebay for $800.^{[citation needed]} There are web sites dedicated to hard to find sneakers and apparel.

[edit] Recent trends

Recent trends in hip hop fashion have geared toward a tighter, hipster-inspired style of dressing (so called "prep-hop"), which is coming to include raiments such as Nike Dunks, polo shirts (often worn with popped collar), sportcoats, large ornamental belt buckles, skull and skeleton decorations, elaborately decorated zip-up hoodies, trucker hats (Von Dutch), fitted caps (New Era Cap Company), tighter denim jeans, and shorter length t-shirts with shorter arm sleeves. In some circles, the baggy style has faded away, with the growing influence of rappers such as Kanye West, Common and Andre 3000, often sporting such colorful fitted prep-hop and hipster-inspired clothing, and tighter-fitting skater influenced styles in the case of Pharrell. One of the major players in this type of clothing is Bape, which has garnered much exposure in hip hop videos. Yet, the baggy style remains active in other places despite recent trends.

[edit] Criticism of hip hop fashion

Commentators from both inside and outside of the hip-hop community have criticized the cost of many of the accouterments of hip hop fashion. Chuck D of Public Enemy summarized the mentality of some low-income youths as "Man, I work at McDonald's, but in order for me to feel good about myself I got to get a gold chain or I got to get a fly car in order to impress a sister or whatever."^[10] In his 1992 song "Us," Ice Cube rapped that "Us [African-Americans] will always sing the blues / 'cause all we care about is hairstyles and tennis shoes.^[11] Some fans have expressed disappointment with the increased amount of advertising for expensive hip-hop brands in hip-hop magazines.^[12] In one letter to the editor in Source magazine, a reader wrote that the magazine "try showing some less expensive brands so heads will know they don't have to hustle, steal, or rob and blast shots for flyness."^[13] In fact, there were many highly-publicized robberies of hip-hop artists by the late 1990s.^[12] Guru of Gang Starr was robbed at gunpoint of his Rolex watch, Queen Latifah's car was car-jacked, and Prodigy was robbed at gunpoint of $300,000 in jewelry.^[12]

A few hip hop insiders, such as the members of Public Enemy, have made the deliberate choice not to don expensive jewelry as a statement against materialism.^[12]

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Kitwana, Bakari. The Hip Hop Generation: Young Blacks and the Crisis in African American Culture, p. 198.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Brief-History-of-Hip-Hop-Fashion&id=100428
^ http://shopping.guardian.co.uk/beauty/story/0,,1561369,00.html
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ Keyes, Cheryl. Rap Music and Street Consciousness, p. 152.
^ MC Schoolly D, for instance, claimed that wearing gold "is not something that was born in America. This goes back to Africa. The gold chains are basically for warriors. The artists in the rap field are battling. We're the head warrior. We got to stand up and say we're winning battles, and this is how we're doing it." Quoted in Keyes, p. 152 (quoting Schoolly D. "The Meaning of Gold." Spin (October 1988), p. 52).
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Wilbekin, Emil. "Great Aspirations: Hip Hop and Fashion Dress for Excess and Success." The Vibe History of Hip Hop. Three Rivers Press 1999. Page 280.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Wilbekin, p. 281
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Wilbekin, p. 282.
^ Wilbekin, p.283
^ Keyes, p. 172 (quoting Eure and Spady, 1991).
^ Quoted in Keyes, p. 173.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Keyes, p. 172.
^ Quoted in Keyes, p. 172.