The hip hop culture emerged in the 1980s and it has transformed the way music, dance and fashion look ever since. A combination of urban street culture, garment daring and expressive wearing turned 80s hip hop fashion into a frenzy. Run D.M.C., LL Cool J and Salt-N-Pepa were early hip hop artists to become fashion icons who paved the way for the next generations to consider such a statement of style.
In the 1980s, hip hop was not about music but it was about a statement. Both fashion and the clothing that hip hop artists wore were so much more than fashion; it was who they were, their struggle and their victory. It represented a symbol of rebellion, creativity and individuality; with it came new modes of thinking in regard to expressing ourselves through style.
The rise of Streetwear and DIY Fashion.
The emergence of street wear was one of the most notable features in hip hop fashion in the 80s. Streetwear was a close-knit concept of hip hop, emerging out of the streets of New York City. It was more of being comfortable, practical and making a statement usually with tailored clothes or items that carry graffiti art or loud logos.
Home-made fashion was an icon of empowerment. The youth of the hip hop world had started to customize their own outfits, coming up with distinct appearances that portrayed their personalities. This inventive fashion idea transformed the everyday wearables into luxury and made street wear the core of contemporary fashion today.
Tracksuits: Bigger than big in 80s Hip Hop.
Tracksuits were built into one of the most iconic hip hop staples of the 80s. They were originally popular among athletes, but soon made their way to hip hop culture. This combined with gold chains made the brightly colored Adidas tracksuits a symbol of success and street credibility.
There were artists such as Run D.M.C. who made the tracksuit more than a sports garment and made it a street clothing legend. This athletic/fashion mix quickly caught up across the globe and Adidas Superstars, in this instance, became a necessity to every hip hop enthusiast.
Bold Colors and Oversized Silhouettes
The 1980s fashion was about making extreme decisions. 80s hip hop fashion was full of neon colors, a strong contrast to the dullness of the past decades. Neon greens, pinks, and yellows were associated with hip hop as the new movement of self-expression and unique personality. In the 90s hip hop fashion embraced baggy pants, oversized jackets, and sportswear, reflecting a more laid-back urban style.
Large clothing was also popular during that period. A loose and free-flowing style, that was comfortable and fashionable, was achieved through bagging of pants, oversized jackets and oversized t-shirts. The trend heralded the end of the rigorous and formal styles of the past, and the hip hop culture could therefore establish its non-conformist identity.
Gold Chains and Jewelry: The Marks of Prosperity and Well-being.
Gold chains were a fundamental element of hip hop in the 80s, and were associated with success and wealth. Hip hop artists wore heavy ornate gold chains as a symbol of their transition out of poverty into fame. This turned out to be a key element of their image that did not just demonstrate their individual success but also their affiliation with the culture.
These chains were most famously worn by LL Cool J who was then a pioneering example of the bold and flashy style that was popular with many. The wearing of gold chains was more of a status symbol that served as a reminder to all that hip hop was not solely a music but a culture that glorified success in all variations.
The Hip Hop Fashion of Sneakers.
Sneakers cannot be discussed as hip hop fashion without being mentioned. Sneakers had been a part of the culture and hip hop artists were the earliest to promote and market certain sneaker brands. Brands such as Adidas, Nike and Puma became a part of the wardrobe of hip hop enthusiasts all over the world.
The association of sneakers was facilitated by Run D.M.C. and Adidas, especially. The iconic track of the group, My Adidas, was a statement of devotion to the company and thus, Adidas Superstars became the ultimate hip hop sneaker. These partnerships between hip hop musicians and companies led to the sneaker culture that we observe at the moment.
Leather Jackets: Daring and Indifferent.
Another popular piece of 80s hip hop fashion was the leather jacket. Artists such as LL Cool J used to wear jackets with gold chains and baggy trousers. The leather jacket symbolized roughness and defiance, the attitude of street-wise, which was the main theme of the hip hop movement.
This daring fashion style was not only a style choice, but it was a declaration of strength and tenacity. The leather jacket was a symbol of the tough no-nonsense image of hip hop and it indicated that this was a culture that did not talk, but walked the walk.
Graffiti as a way of expressing fashion.
In the 80s, hip hop fashion graffiti was instrumental, making its mark on t-shirts to sneakers. This art form was a very crucial aspect of the culture and it appeared on the clothing, producing wearable art. Most hip hop music fans and artists had graffiti-based designs on their clothes to identify themselves with the streets.
When graffiti became more closely connected with hip hop, fashion acquired an even higher degree of creativity. The fashion industry was dominated by bright colors and graphic designs which used their clothing and accessories as canvases to express themselves. Graffiti was not merely viewed as an art but it was a lifestyle and these were transferred to the dress code.
B-boying and Its Impact on Clothing Choice.
Breakdancing, or B-boying was also part of the 80s hip hop style. B-boys were dancers who usually wore loose and comfortable clothes that would not restrict them. This affected the general style of that time period since the same practical, functional clothes were adopted by hip hop fans to suit the energetic, athletic culture.
The baggy pants, oversized shirts and track suits became quite popular due to B-boying culture. The dresses were not merely a style; it was their mobility and comfort that allowed the dancers to perform their dances. This pragmatic fashion has soon emerged as a hallmark of hip hop.
The timeless influence of 80s Hip Hop Fashion.
The hip hop fashion era of the 80s may be long gone, but its effects are felt even in contemporary fashion. Most of the trends that came up during this period, the oversized clothes, bright colors, street dresses among others, remain to raid the runways and streets as well. Hip hop fashion history in the 80s is an indicator that music and culture could influence the fashion world.
Bold and expressive styles of the 80s are still perceived as an influence by artists. The influence of hip hop on high fashion cannot be overlooked since the high fashion brands work closely with artists to create limited edition collections that convey history and the spirit of the culture. The hip hop fashion has undergone various changes making it a niche style becoming a worldwide fashion.
FAQ’s
What did tracksuits mean to hip hop fashion?
Tracksuits and tracksuits in particular, such as Adidas tracksuits, had become a classic in the hip hop fashion of the 80s. They were easy to wear and fashionable and reflected the ghetto-cool and sporty aspect of culture.
Who were the main influencers in the hip hop fashion of the 80s?
The hip hop fashion leaders of the 80s such as Run D.M.C., LL Cool J and Salt-N-Pepa, were the first to be seen wearing bold clothes, with gold chains and oversized outfits.
What was the impact of sneakers on hip hop fashion?
Sneakers, in particular Adidas Superstars, became a part of the 80s hip hop style. The sneaker became popular through hip hop artists and the fact that they were loyal to certain brands promoted sneaker culture to a worldwide extent.
And will hip hop fashion of the 80s be relevant today?
Could it be yes to hip hop fashion of the 80s, which is the most relevant and has an impact on street wear and high fashion? The baggy fittings, bright colors and hip hop-influenced designs have been sweeping through the fashion world.
Conclusion
The 80s Hip Hop Fashion was not a mere clothing item but it was a revolution. Tracksuits, gold chains, sneakers, leather jackets, etc., the style of the 1980s became the icon of personal expression and rebellion, individualism. Its soul is still present in the fashion that we have today which is the testament to the fact that like music, style is eternal and always changing.