Hip hop style clothing: a trend reversal from the streets to the runway

      Hip hop style clothing was born in the 1970s in the South Bronx area of New York, which was a gathering place for minorities such as Black and Latinx people. At that time, the social environment was full of poverty and turmoil, and these young people urgently needed a way to express themselves. Therefore, hip-hop culture emerged, and hip-hop style clothing became a carrier for them to showcase their personality and attitude.

     At first, hip-hop clothing emphasized comfort and freedom, with loose T-shirts, jeans, sneakers, and baseball caps as iconic outfits for easy dancing and movement. Sports brands such as Puma and Adidas were highly favored for their durability and comfort. In the 1980s, hip-hop culture entered the mainstream view, and Run-D-M.C.’s “My Adidas” made Adidas a symbol of hip-hop, with iconic elements such as Kangol hats and Fila sportswear. At the same time, hip-hop artists pursue luxury, and items that showcase wealth and status such as fur coats and large gold chains have become popular. Starter’s “Bad Boy” jacket has gained fame due to frequent wear by rap artists.

      In the 1990s, hip-hop music was commercialized, and high-end brands such as Versace and Gucci entered the field of hip-hop artists. Street brands such as Fubu and Phatfarm also rapidly emerged. The loose “oversize” style has become mainstream and has continued to this day. In the 21st century, hip-hop clothing has become more personalized and diversified. Brands such as Rocawear and Sean John, founded by hip-hop artists, have become fashion trendsetters, and accessories such as headscarves, jerseys, diamonds, etc. have become popular for a while.

      Nowadays, hip-hop style clothing has already broken through the limitations of the street and deeply integrated with high-end fashion, such as Virgil Abloh’s Off White, Kanye West’s Yeezy, and A $AP Rocky’s collaboration with Dior, all marking a new height of hip-hop culture’s influence in the fashion industry. From its inception as a niche street culture to its current shining presence on the global fashion stage, hip-hop style clothing has written a trend legend with its unique charm.