Hip hop and fashion
Okay, I know that one day we’ll look back on our fashion today and say what where we thinking?, but I don’t think our trends could ever compare to the absolute train wreck that was The 80’s.
Case-in-point: Shoulder pads. What genius woke up one day and decided that making women look like offensive linemen would be a good idea? Maybe it had something to do with women being new to the workforce, maybe they felt like they needed to look more powerful next to men, and the “broad shoulders” were a way to do that. I think it’s interesting how in the 80’s women tried to make themselves look bigger, but today everything is about looking as slim as possible. Although, I have to give praise to hip-hop culture today where “big” is still celebrated and “thick” is considered sexy and beautiful. That’s something you don’t see in the fashion magazines, where every model looks like she’s on the verge of starvation and hip-bones are the hottest accessory. Even though some people think the rap videos with women shaking their “junk” is degrading to females, I think it’s much better for girls self-esteem than Vogue magazine. But what do I know, I’m just a skinny white girl who only whishes she had junk to shake.
Anyway…I found some info on Wikipedia about certain trends, and there is no doubt that hip hop had a huge impact on fashion (it still does obviously). During the 80's, styles like large sunglasses, Kangol hats, multi-finger rings, oversized gold "doorknocker" earrings (popularized by female rappers), and sneakers (usually Adidas - brand shelltoes and often with oversized laces) were prominently worn by the big-name hip hop stars of the day, including Run-DMC and LL Cool J. Performers also helped popularize the wearing of gold necklaces and other such jewelry. Popular haircuts ranged from the early-1980s Jheri curl to the late-1980s hi-top fade.
Also, like we saw in the movie Breakin’, the 80’s were the Era of spandex. Remember Jazzersize? Well, it pretty much looked like everyone was either on there way to, or coming from, a Jazzersize class.
I could go on and on about 80's fashion, but i'll save those words for another post.
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I thought your blog about hip hop and fashion was quite interesting…Not only are women extremely influenced by hip hop fashion but lately men have fallen victim to the trends of hip hop and rappers… I don’t know of any males that can deny the fact that they sported a huge piece and chain( a long chain with some type of emblem or symbol hanging from it, usually a cross or crucifix). One of the most stupid trends from hip hop in my opinion was when Kris Kros came out wearing their clothes backwards and everyone decided to do the same. I must admit that I too wore my overalls backwards on more than one occasion. I also found myself wearing one pant leg rolled up like LL Cool J. Lately I have seen a lot of women with two-toned, red and blonde hair like singer Keyshia Cole. Its blatantly obvious who their inspiration was. I mean who would just think to dye their hair fire engine red and bleach blonde??? I think that hip-hop’s contribution to fashion trends will continue due to the success of many hip hop moguls starting their own fashion labels. Jay Z’s Rocawear , Diddy’s Sean John, Russel Simmons Phat Farm, and Nelly’s Applebottoms clothing lines are all very successful because people want to dress like their favorite artists.
The issue about hip hop praising thickness as opposed to the skinny models in the fashion industry is also a good thing as well. I think that it gives young women another image to look at that is more realistic and feasible than the bone skinny women that model. It is also more sexy. I think that hip hop’s contribution to the fashion industry is a good one and it shows and highlights one of the more positive effects that hip hop has influenced American culture.
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