Dressing Up in Hip Hop

From baggy jeans and bling blings to classicOther hip hop personalities opted for the classy
gangster-inspired suits and bowler hats, a distinct andgangster look and wore double-breasted suits, bowler
evolving fashion style has always been anhats, silk shirts, and alligator-skin shoes. This
indispensable element of the hip hop industry. Hip hopMafioso-inspired image was popularized by the
fashion traces its roots to the clothing style ofNotorious B.I.G. and Sean Combs a.k.a. Diddy, with the
African-American youths. Since then it has drawn itslatter becoming known as the Shiny Suit Man.
influences from hip hop scenes in different parts of theRecent trends in hip hop apparel show the influence of
United States, from California to New York, as well ashipster and preppy styles. Oversized shirts were
from various elements of underground and popularreplaced with tighter-fitting short-sleeved shirts,
culture.tracksuits were traded for sports coats, and tighter
One of the earlier clothing styles in hip hop was thedenims were favored over sagging jeans. Some of
sportswear coupled with conspicuous jewelry whichthe popular accessories are large belt buckles and skull
became the signature look for old school rap.and skeleton ornaments. Decorated hoodies, fitted
Tracksuits, bomber jackets, berets, Doc Martens, andcaps, and trucker hats are also commonly worn.
sneakers were some of the common apparel then.Heavy jewelry has also become an enduring mark of
Men sported gold chains while women wore large goldhip hop fashion, symbolizing an ostentatious display of
earrings. The sports apparel of Adidas, Nike, and Lefame and wealth. Known in hip hop slang as bling bling,
Coq Sportif were some of the commonly patronizedthese flashy accessories became ubiquitous fashion
brands in the 1980s. The 1990s saw the growingicons and common semiotic elements in a lot of music
popularity of more sportswear from Tommy Hilfiger,videos. Gold jewelry was the craze in the 80s but it
DKNY, Polo, Calvin Klein, and Nautica. This particularwas eventually edged out by silver and platinum. Grills
fashion style became known as the urban streetwearor removable metal teeth coverings also became
and was further supplied by such brands as FUBU,popular among celebrities.
Ecko Unlimited, Walker Wear, and Boss Jeans.With the development of hip hop fashion, rap artists
The emergence of gangsta rap as a sub-genre of hipeventually ventured into the clothing business and
hop fueled another fashion statement, this time inspiredstarted producing their own labels. The rap group
by the clothing styles of street thugs and prisonWu-Tang Clan has its Wu-Wear, Damon Dash and
inmates. Gangsta rappers started wearing baggyJay-Z have Rocawear, and Diddy has Sean John.
pants, bandannas, and tattoos. Not a fewDiddy also bagged the 2003 Menswear Designer of
conservatives reacted negatively to the sagging pantsthe Year Award given by the Council of Fashion
and low-hanging waistlines. A religious group tried toDesigners of America. Other hip hop personalities with
combat the fashion style by giving out belts whiletheir own clothing lines are Eminem, 50 Cent, Russell
others sought to make it illegal.Simmons, Kimora Lee Simmons, and OutKast.