Hip hop fashion trends are not a newcomer to the fashion
scene by any means. In fact, this style has been around since the 1980's, when
celebrities like Will Smith and Christopher "Kid" Reid showed youth
how it should be done. Of course, hip hop fashion trends have evolved over the
past two decades as tastes and styles have changed to correspond with the
culture of the time. The following will offer you a brief but colorful history
into the world of hip hop, with some of the current fashion design today.
The Gangsta Look In the 1900's, hip hop fashion trends shifted to the gangsta look in the fashion of the Los Angeles Chicano gangsters. This style sported baggy pants that were worn low and without a belt, shirt tails hanging outside the pants and bandanas on the head. In the midst of this fashion trend, designers were also providing something that the youth of this time liked, and brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Polo and Nautical also came into vogue. At this time, hip hop fashion trends evolved into urban street wear, with names like Mecca USA, Lugs and Roca wear coming into play.
Flash and Bling The turn of the century saw hip hop fashion
trends switch to flashy ensembles and bling jewelry, made popular by the likes
of Jay-Z and The Hot Boys. High end designers like Gucci came onto the hip hop
scene during this time as well. Today, the hip hop look has toned down
somewhat, with hip hop fashion trends that are more tailored and professional -
preppie hip hop, if you will. However, since the hip hop fashion trends are
primarily embraced by youth, this style will always be cutting edge and
separate from the fashion mainstream. After more than two decades on the
fashion scene, it appears that this trend is more than just a trend - it is a
fashion icon that is here to stay.
