The hip-hop movement originated in the early 1970s and owes its name to the black DJ Afrika Bambaataa. The essence of the movement is to sublimate the aggressive energy of disadvantaged teenagers in the southern Bronx for peaceful activities – creativity, sports, dancing. A lot of work had to be done to turn street fights into battles, where the weapon was not a baseball bat, but the mastery of movement, rhythm, words. It literally melted old values into a new subculture, and hip-hop clothing absorbed urban street style and sports trends.
Distinctive features
The loose, baggy cut allows for complete freedom of movement, allowing you to perform serious tricks, whether it's choreography, skateboarding or breakdancing. The modern version of hip-hop has become not only a subculture, but also a fitness trend that adults and children enjoy doing.
Even a person who has no connection to hip-hop culture will be able to recognize a representative of it:
- deliberate bagginess, mixed with sporty style, seasoned with flashy status accessories;
- low-slung, hip-hugging jeans with the elastic of the underwear showing are a kind of challenge to moral principles and the cultural framework of society. Such "playing with underwear" has become a kind of trick, often used by fashion photographers to create the image of a troublemaker in models;
- Hip-hop clothing can combine what is simply unthinkable from the point of view of classical attitudes: wide sweatpants, sneakers, plus an expensive fur vest with a thick gold or platinum chain.
Apart from the club option for girls, shoes will always be sports shoes – sneakers, trainers.
If for guys the style dictates hooligan brutality, then for girls there is a mixture of sportswear with glamor. Initially, young ladies partially borrowed things from the men's wardrobe - loose T-shirts, baggy sweatpants, jeans. The goal was to emphasize toughness. However, later short tops, sports bras, ultra-short skirts began to be used, sneakers give way to stiletto sandals if the girl is expecting a club party.
The modern interpretation of hip-hop clothing gradually makes it more noble, attractive from a fitness point of view. The top is more tight-fitting, and the cut is varied. Sports brands are developing special clothing lines specifically for the hip-hop direction - Puma, Nike, Adidas.
What types are there?
Today, things of this trend can be clearly divided into street direction and fitness option. Hip-hop street clothes are characterized by jeans, T-shirts that cover the torso, spacious bomber jackets or hoodies. This wardrobe has a sports focus, but is mainly used as casual wear.
For fitness equipment, when hip-hop elements become part of the sports program, elastic, hygroscopic knitwear and fleece are used. Here, preference is given to a classic cut or trousers with a low crotch. Clothing for hip-hop dancing should not restrict movement - any sport element should be performed easily, without uncomfortable constriction or chafing. The sports version is more utilitarian – it doesn’t wrinkle, is easy to wash, and dries quickly.
A separate topic is clothing for battles or public performances. Here the choice depends on the intended audience, the desired effect. Costumes and accessories can be selected in the same style and united by a color scheme.
Materials and colors used
Initially, hip-hoppers' clothing was mostly gray and black. They could wear bright robes with African patterns as a tribute to their "roots". Today, the predominant materials for clothing in this style are velour, nylon, cotton jersey, fleece, and denim. The main requirements are:
- natural and breathable material;
- quite elastic;
- pleasant to the body;
- easy to care for.
In warm seasons, thin hygroscopic material is used, and in cold weather, fleece-lined items are in demand, which remain comfortable and do not allow you to freeze.
Denim, fleece, and soft knitwear are used for little dancers and skateboarders. Hip-hop clothing for children should not rub or have hard seams. Gray and blue denim colors are predominantly used here, complemented by graffiti prints, stylized inscriptions, and embroidery.
For girls, clothes can be made not only from traditional denim or knitted fabric. Popular options are shiny - silver, metallic, gold, bronze. Bright inserts of acid pink, green, yellow colors are also not uncommon.
Additional accessories and decorations
Despite its gangster roots, today's hip-hop clothing design is characterized by positive colors and details.
- Classic attributes include square baseball caps with a straight visor, wristbands, textile belts with a blind buckle. Women's options include bracelets and large earrings;
- rings, thick chains, sunglasses with an unusual design, large pendants in the shape of a gold Buck - all this can still be found on hip-hoppers with status;
- A bandana must be tied under a baseball cap. It should be of such a size that the ends reach the shoulders. A hair net can be an alternative;
- Hip-hop style in clothing for men often offers attributes or logos of sports brands, basketball teams or popular music artists as accessories.
The modern interpretation of style is more tolerant to deviations from standards. Often, clothing elements become accessories when layering is used - tops on T-shirts, short denim shorts on leggings.
Video
Photo
