Fashion Through the 50 Years of Hip Hop

By Andrea Kelley

The wonderful world of hip-hop has since created an impact, and an influence on people throughout generations to come since its origination. When we mention hip-hop, we most certainly cannot forget fashion. As we traveled through the hiphop industry, we’ve seen trends begin and we’ve seen them end. We’ve seen legends like Run DMC and Salt and Pepper rock African styled fashion to represent the rebelliousness of the times and we’ve also seen bold colors act as statement wear in videos and photographs. HipHop has always acted as a representation for freedom and boldness and fashion has always captured the very essence of that representation. We cannot mention hip hop and music without the extravagance of their jaw dropping and eye-catching looks throughout the years so let’s take a trip down memory lane. 

Where it all started! August 11, 1973, New York City, The Bronx

Clive Campbell, 18 at the time, and his younger sister Cindy host a back-to-school party in the building's recreation room on Sedgwick Avenue.

Neighbors and friends get down to the music of James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and The Meters, but there's a catch…Campbell, better known as DJ Kool Herc, uses a method called the merry-go-round, in which he alternates between two copies of the same record, looping the percussion sections of each track to keep the beat going.

And here, amid these writers, musicians, and visual artists...

The Dawn of Hip-Hop.

And one Hip Hop arrived, so did the fashion trends that created a cultural revolution to the fashion we see today.

DJ Kool Herc

Run DMC - Photo: Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives (Getty Images)

Around this time, hip-hop style began to emerge as its own distinct subculture. The members of Run-DMC, decked up in matching Adidas tracksuits, were at the vanguard. While sportswear gained popularity, high fashion was introduced to the society by Daniel "Dapper Dan" Day of Harlem, who made replicas of expensive clothing.

“Fighting The Powers That Be” 

In order to effectively “Fight The Power” it required you to wear daring statement pieces like thick gold chains and link necklaces. What doesn’t stand out more than great statement pieces? Jewelry was a statement piece that originated in this era of HipHop as multiple hiphop legends like LL Cool J and Slick Rick. We also were introduced to matching two-piece sets, bold colors, and wild styled hair looks. The eighties were a time for freedom from police oppression and unfairness in the hip hop and black community and these trends went on to impact generations to come. 

LL Cool J rocking the Kangol Bucket Hat. Photo: PYMCA/Universal Images Group via Getty Images (Getty Images) (Getty Images)

The Hip Hop group Public Enemy. Photo: Lisa Haun/Michael Ochs Archives (Getty Images)

“Do You Remember The Timeeeee” when everyone started rocking bucket hats and combat boots? You most likely grew up in the nineties. Hip hop stars were introduced to a more sophisticated take on grungy trends and hard hitting outfits. The nineties called for a more softer approach to rebellion as people were singing and rapping about love and their everyday struggles in life. Music transitioned from hardcore “fight the power” songs to storytelling music that painted the image of poverty and struggle which introduced us to a more streetwear style in fashion. Overalls, laced boots, bomber jackets, and jerseys were all in for the new trends. We also saw the immersion of fashion companies such as Tommy Hillfiger, Nike, and Phat Farm take notice of influential stars to birth a new wave of “influencer marketing”. Fashion began to take vigorous notice in black communities. 

Will Smith - Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images (Getty Images)

“Now Lean Back” 

As we lean more into the shift in music, we take a slight turn into a more celebratory period of music with songs like “Oh Boy” by Dipset and “Big Pimpin” by JayZ. These songs represented an era of money, parties, and growing fame and popularity which sparked a more flashy look in hip hop fashion. We were introduced to a mixture of past trends such as gold chains and designer wear beginning to explode in the 2000s. Streetwear and designer wear clashed onto the music scene as rappers and hiphop stars created the concept of “hoodrich” which represents the intertwining of being from the hood and now becoming rich. These two fashion trends together became the go-to statement for hiphop as the original baggy jeans and white t’s became designer baggy jeans and white t’s. 

Wu-Tang Clan - Screenshot: VIBE.com

“Pretty Boy Swagg” 

The preppy skater boy swag was introduced to us in the early 2010’s when hip hop artists like Kanye West and super producer Pharrel began rocking baseball caps and trucker hats. Throughout this era you will see the slow decline of baggy wear which called for a more fitted approach with the creation of skinny jeans. Hip Hop artists began rocking these types of jeans so that they can appeal to a wider audience other than the “hood”. We started to see more put together looks which included button down collar shirts and high top nike shoes. Hip hop was introduced to a more sexy era as music transitioned from partying to finding love and creating songs that were appealing to female consumers. Once hiphop caught on to the fact that their female audiences were the main drivers of sales and promotion, they began to tighten up those pants and show off some abs to appeal to them even more. 

Photo: Mark Mainz (Getty Images)

Hello 2023! 

We finally made it to the end of our journey in hip hop fashion but we cannot mention this evolution without bringing you back to today’s era of fashion. Today, hip hop embodies all past trends and styles. We see many more hip hop artists in the industry these days so many artists embody a past era of fashion and style in their own way. Some have adopted a more nineties look which features baggy pants and crop tops or they embody the trends from the eighties with bold colors and statement pieces. The evolution of fashion has continued to inspire decades of hip hop artists from all over the world from the east coast to the west coast, all the way down to the dirty south. Every side of the earth brings their own fashion trend to the table which keeps hiphop fashion alive and interesting! Let us know which era of hip hop fashion is your favorite. We’ll catch you in our next blast from the past piece!  

Photo: Raymond Hall/GC Images (Getty Images)