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Fresh, Fly, and Fabulous: Fifty Years of Hip Hop Style – Brooklyn Rail

From the stage, to the streets, and to the sidewalks, hip hop and its culture have stood the test of time throughout five decades and beyond. This art form has evolved through the ages, influencing not only music and dance, but also fashion. As we celebrate fifty years of hip hop, take a trip down memory lane as we explore the “Fresh, Fly, and Fabulous: Fifty Years of Hip Hop Style” – directly from the shores of Brooklyn rail!

1. Exploring the Flourishing Legacy of Hip Hop Fashion

Since the early ’90s, Hip Hop fashion has helped shape the look and feel of western culture, contributing to a daring and stylish look that defies fashion traditionalism while often blending with other attitude-driven styles. Hip Hop fashion draws on the lavish streetwear of the hip hop music and lifestyle, often accentuated with bold colors, statement jewelry pieces and layers of comfy clothes.

Today, Hip Hop fashion embraces the rich diversity and spirit of the movement, often composed of classic fashion items such as sweatpants, sneakers, snapbacks, tracksuits, combat boots, bandanas, denim jeans and hoodies. Shining a spotlight on the prestigious culture, Hip Hop fashion remains a staple of self-expression and style, a legacy that is growing stronger by the minute.

  • Statement Jewelry – Eye-catching jewelry pieces allow wearers to give an artistic and vibrant touch to their outfits.
  • Layering – Layers of comfy clothing give an edgy and street look to the overall outfit.
  • Sweatpants and Sneakers – The ultimate combination for the Hip Hop fashion scene, allowing the user to have the most stylish of looks.

2. From Runway to Streets: 50 Years of Hip Hop Style

The world of hip hop style has come a long way in the last 50 years. It began with artists on the New York underground club scene, who transformed their sporty street style from the ’70s into colorful, outrageous outfits full of flair and lots of metal accessories. From defining its own customized sartorial look to showcasing stunning pieces from designer fashion weeks, hip hop style has been in a rollercoaster of trends, inspired by the music and continually paving the way for future fashion.

The style of hip hop began to gain its influences from luxury catwalks during the ’90s and early 2000s, when it modified designer pieces to create a signature look that would stand the test of time. Now hip hop style is one of the most iconic contemporary fashion icons today. Blingy, bejewelled watches, customized shoes, and athletic silhouettes. Everything from luxury, couture, street and more all come together to create individual looks that can be interchanged and adjusted, mixing two drastically different cultures together.

3. How Brooklyn Influenced Hip Hop’s Look in the ’80s and ’90s

As a core part of the hip hop culture, fashion has only become more and more important in the years since its initial rise in the ’70s. From flashy chains to classic throwback jerseys, the style of hip hop has always been an outward demonstration of its daring new sound.

The borough of Brooklyn had an especially noticeable influence on the look of the era. There was a unique mix of the classic New York style with its own unique twist. Here are just a few staples of the Brooklyn hip hop look that were popular in the ’80s and ’90s:

  • Timbs and Jeans: A staple of the hip hop look, Timberland boots and denim jeans paired together still remain popular in the culture today.
  • Baseball Caps: Brand name caps and team sports hats were commonly seen in the Brooklyn hip hop style.
  • Vintage Brands: The vintage look was often highlighted with unique pieces such as RL caps, vintage jerseys and more.

The Brooklyn influence on hip hop’s look in the ’80s and ’90s was even reflected in the fashion of the day. Music videos from the era often featured the latest fashion trends and pieces from the Brooklyn style. Overall, this look sparked the imagination of generations of hip hop fans and helped shape the sound and style of the music for years to come.

4. The Fresh, Fly and Fabulous: Hip Hop Style Prevails

Hip hop style is one of those iconic trends that never seem to go out of style. It has left lasting impacts on fashion, to the point that it can be seen in everyday looks. From streetwear to boho and everything in between, hip hop influences our wardrobes.

If you want to recreate the hip hop look, start with the basics. Baggy Jeans, Oversize Hoodies, Bright Colored Sneakers, and Baseball Caps are all staples in the hip hop wardrobe. When you’re putting together your outfit, have fun with it. Layer different textures, prints and pieces from different eras. For example, a slightly oversized blazer can be combined with a sports t-shirt, and biker shorts, then finished with a pair of fresh sneakers.

  • Jogger pants
  • Trendy athleisure tops & tees
  • Gold or silver chain necklaces
  • Urban accessories

Whether you stick to the basics or go all out to express yourself, hip hop style is timeless and fresh – an easy way to make a statement. Step out of your comfort zone and get creative with it.

From Afros and bell-bottoms, to du-rags and velour jumpsuits, hip hop fashion has evolved over five decades, creating an undeniable cultural footprint. As the hip hop culture continues to celebrate its half-century mark, it’s truly inspiring to look back on how much a style statement can do to evoke an era, a movement, and a legacy.

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