This group of young, upwardly mobile black individuals, known as 'buppies', embraced 1980s hip-hop music and wore clothing items from brands like Polo, Timberland, and Tommy Hilfiger. In the first wave of hip-hop influence, preppy fashion also gained popularity among the youth of the 1980s. It is often celebrated in nostalgic hip-hop tracks, such as Ahmad's 1994 single ' Back in the Day', and Missy Elliott's 2002 song of the same name.Īs per Gwendolyn O'Neal, author of African American Aesthetics of Dress (1997), 'The African-American aesthetic of dress is not exclusively African or American, but rather is influenced by distinct 'cultural' experiences that stem from being of African heritage and living in America.' In an interview with Black Book Magazine, rapper Jay-Z supported this view and defended the preference for luxury fashion brands in hip-hop culture as a way of 'living on our own terms, rather than trying to imitate an elite lifestyle.' The use of high-end fashion products in the hip-hop lifestyle is not necessarily driven by conspicuous consumption. The fashion of 1980s hip-hop is widely regarded as one of the key components of the old-school hip-hop culture. As the leading warriors, we must rise and proudly proclaim our victories, while also sharing the methods that helped us achieve them.' In the rap genre, the artists are engaging in battles. For instance, MC Schoolly D claimed that wearing gold 'is not something that was born and raised in America. The heavy jewelry was seen as a symbol of prestige and wealth, and some even connected the style to Africanism. Hip-hop performers like Kurtis Blow and Big Daddy Kane helped popularize gold necklaces and other types of jewelry, while female rappers such as Roxanne Shanté and the group Salt-N-Pepa helped popularize made oversized gold door-knocker earrings trend. Men's jewelry typically focused on heavy gold chains, while women's jewelry consisted of large gold earrings.

Trending accessories of the time included large eyeglasses (such as Cazals ), Kangol bucket hats, nameplates, name belts, multiple rings and heavy gold jewelry. Another trend in hip-hop clothing, pioneered by Dapper Dan in the early 1980s, was the adaptation and brandishing of high-net-worth fashion house brands such as Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Gucci and logos on custom-designed tracksuits, jackets, and mink coats. Popular haircuts of the time ranged from the early-1980s Jheri curl to the early-1990s hi-top fade, which was popularized by Will Smith (The Fresh Prince) and Christopher 'Kid' Reid of Kid 'n Play, among others. DJs would wear sneakers from brands such as Pro-Keds, Puma, Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars and Adidas Superstars often with oversized or 'phat' shoelaces. In the 1980s, hip-hop DJs were known for wearing brightly colored name-brand tracksuits, sheepskin and leather bomber jackets, backpiece jackets, Clarks shoes, Britishers (also known as British walkers) and sneakers. History Late 1970s to mid-1980s Members of Run-DMC wearing Kangol bucket hats Accessories worn by Slick Rick, DMC, and Jam Master Jay displayed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fameĭuring the late 1970s, sportswear and fashion brands such as Le Coq Sportif, Kangol, Adidas and Pro-Keds became established and attached themselves to the emerging hip-hop scene. Being a major part of hip hop culture, it further developed in Los Angeles and other cities across the United States, with each contributing different elements to the overall style that is now recognized worldwide. Hip-hop fashion (also known as rap fashion) is a style of dress that originated from Urban Black America and inner-city youth in New York City.

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Male 80s hip hop fashion