A brief history of hip hop fashion

Hip hop clothing has become increasingly popular, representing a fashion that is making a statement. Like any other fashion trend, hip hop clothing has changed over the years and has been adopted all over the world.

Hip hop clothing was first worn by big hip hop stars like Run-DMC and LL Cool J in the 1980s. They wore big glasses, lots of rings, ‘phat’ lace-up sneakers. Other hip hop stars like Big Daddy Kane or Kurtis Blow also wore large gold necklaces and jewelry. The haircut was another symbol of the hip hop trend: some singers had Jheri curls; others had a hi-top fade. But the Black Pride movement was the most powerful trend in hip hop culture in the 1980s. It was symbolized by dreadlocks, African chains, and black, green, and red hip hop clothing.

In the 1990s, hip hop music changed, so hip hop clothing underwent some changes as well. Some singers (The Fresh Prince or Left Eye of TLC) wore brightly colored clothes and baseball caps. Other hip hop garments were inspired by street gang dress code and even prison uniforms. The inmate ‘fashion’ of not wearing a belt (the belt is always confiscated by guards every time a new inmate enters) has inspired the use of baggy pants without a belt. Some regions of the US have contributed some special symbols to hip hop fashion. New York preferred hooded clothing and Timberland boots, while the West Coast liked big flannel shirts and Converse sneakers. The south brought the fashion for gold teeth.

The mid-90s brought another trend, mafia fashion, represented by crocodile skin hats and shoes worn mainly by hip hop stars like Jay-Z or the Notorious BIG.

The New Rising Stars of the Late 1990s: Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs came up with new symbols like bright, flashy suits and platinum jewelry to replace the gold one. Combs saw a business opportunity to sell hip hop clothing; therefore, he started his own clothing line. Other clothing companies like FUBU or Karl Kani made millions of dollars selling hip hop clothes.

But hip hop fashion began to be distinctive for singers. Lil Kim and Foxy Brown were famous for their bright and high-fashion appearances, while other singers like Lauryn Hill or Eve were known for a more understated style of clothing.

But jewelry remained the most distinctive symbol of hip hop fashion. Hip hop singers wore platinum necklaces or rings set with large diamonds. Some of them even had platinum teeth.

Today, hip hop clothing has become extremely famous clothing brands. Many hip hop singers have their own clothing lines, like Jay-Z’s Roc-a-wear or Russell Simmons’ Phat Farm.

Hip hop clothing has changed from street style to the more glamorous style of the stars.