Hip Hop Fashion: How did it start?

Hip hop clothing has evolved into something more than just a rebellion against parents, the baggy jeans, the tee shirts, side-swiped hats and hoodies are just a few things that are core in hip hop fashion and have stayed very apparent through the evolution of hip hop fashion.  How did hip hop fashion start though?  How did hip hop clothing develop into something that has hit the United States and exploded onto the scene?  In this article, we will explore some of those questions and explain where hip hop fashion came from and what it is today. 

When it comes to hip hop fashion, the clothing itself takes its cue from hip hop music, many of the styles of hip hop fashion is inspired by the music and many rappers have paved the way for hip hop fashion to make it onto the runway and onto the scene in general.  Hip hop fashion started in the late eighties and now-a-day, it is something to be respected and that many people have adopted into their normal attire.

Oversized shirts, jeans, shoulder stitching that does not rest on shoulders, chunky leather boots, Nike shoes, denim coats and chains are all part of the hip hop fashion statement.  Hip hop fashion has boggled minds of parents for generations and while it has come a long way from baggy jeans and a backwards hat, hip hop fashion is still constantly boggling minds of the older generation.

Many women now-a-day are picking up on the hip hop fashion.  In the earlier years of hip hop fashion, it was mainly only for men, in later generations, many designers are centering their collections around women’s hip hop clothing versus men.  Whether a woman wants to be playful, serious, sexy or demure, there is definitely a hip hop look for them. 

Bright or neutral colors, animal print halter tops, mesh tops and loose fitting denim jeans are all popping up in the women’s fashion of hip hop.  Belly shirts, cropped jackets and head gear are just some of the core values involved in hip hop fashion for a woman.  It takes a lot for a woman to be able to express herself through her clothing, but with the many different varieties of hip hop fashion, it is super easy for a woman to be able to express her personality through her clothing. 

One of the greatest things about hip hop fashion is the fact that people can create it by themselves.  A belly shirt paired with some jeans and topped off with a side-swiped hat and you are absolutely hip hop!  While it may be easy to create a hip hop fashion style that suits you, many designers have taken the liberty of creating their own hip hop fashions and marketing it in all sorts of department stores.  Rappers, professional athletes and even musicians in other genres of music have started creating hip hop inspired fashion and it has started quite a wild fire.