Hip Hop Fashion History

Hip hop fashion is a style that originated from African Americans, Latinos, and Caribbean-American youth who were based in Districts 5, a New York City. However, the hip hop was influenced later by many other places, contributing to what we know about hip-hop fashion today. Of course, hip hop fashion is a reflection of their culture.

Since the 1980s, different brands have had on the hip hop scene, including super sports brands, Adidas and Nike, Inc., which added to his popularity. Articles of clothing like leather jackets, Dr. Martens boots and sneakers were used, becoming his "uniform."


At the end of the 80s, hip hop fashion, jewelry, and hairstyles reflected traditional African culture. Africa chains, blousy pants, red, black clothes and green dreadlocks got rappers like MC Hammer. When the 90s rolled in, baseball caps, neon clothes and even wearing clothes backwards became the new trend.

Hip hop fashion for men and women became different men went blousy pants or baggy pants, sunglasses and heavy work boots, while the women began to wear tighter jeans. However, women adapt to the style of men using them, and adding a feminine touch, as the setting of lip gloss and makeup.

Brands such as Dickies, Chuck Taylor, and the Raiders have contributed to the popularization of the pants, sneakers and baseball caps, respectively. Even joined Chanel, models of use of hip-hop classic look: black leather jackets and gold chains, or dressed in black with silver chains.

Hip hop fashion designers continued to inspire more and more, and big names like Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, DKNY sportswear created that showed this style and urban street wear glorified. Opened FUBU hip-hop fashion to the mainstream, from its own industry. Moreover, the hairstyles that were traditionally African-Americans emerged as Afros and braids, the latter created by wearing a Du-rag on his head all the time, keeping the hair from being displaced. Finally, Du-rag became a hip hop fashion accessory on its own. Mid to late 90s, instead of gold, platinum became the choice of metal to hip hop jewelry, which was often sprinkled with diamonds.