RAP/HIP-HOP: INFLUENCES ON U.S SOCIETY- FASHION
& CULTURAL TRENDS OVER TIME
A highly noticeable impact hip-hop has made on society is the fashion trend that many adolescents and young adults have followed. Nowadays, one would find a number of kids wearing tight-fit jeans that are sagged with a snap-back hat and a hooded sweater over it. But twenty years prior to 2012, the in-style clothing was considerably "preppy" with the majority of society's youth dressing in Nautica, Tommy Hilfiger, or Ralph Lauren polo-shirts tucked in their jeans. As society evolved over time, what was considered "hip" had also changed. By 2000, hip-hop influenced clothing included: sports jerseys worn over white t-shirts, sports hats, sleeveless shirts, baggy jeans and do-rags (also called skull-caps or wave-caps). Although some people today like to keep their clothing-style "old school", hip hop took another transition from the early 2000s clothing. Now, many of today's youths choose to wear tight-fit jeans with a studded belt, snap-back hats, hoodies and a fairly junior-sized backpack.
However, it's not just the hip-hop listeners that change their clothing style with the music. Lots of rappers themselves decide to step up their dress style once their profit goes up. Over the years, many hip hop artists and rappers who have made success in sales, dress in the manner of upper-class folk. With the start of the century, rappers with a considerable income would take on the "boss" look with fancy costume pieces covered and fur coats (made of faux-fur or real animal fur). In today's society, rappers flaunt their extravagant apparel and throw around the names high-end fashion brands such as Versace, Givanche, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Armani and other brands in their songs. To compliment the abundance of fancy clothing, lots of rappers from the early 2000s to now, seem to sport an excessive amount of custom chains, necklaces, and rings. Despite these things, hip hop's "hottest look" one day might become antiquated the next day in the ever-so developing culture and its large pallet of artists.
However, it's not just the hip-hop listeners that change their clothing style with the music. Lots of rappers themselves decide to step up their dress style once their profit goes up. Over the years, many hip hop artists and rappers who have made success in sales, dress in the manner of upper-class folk. With the start of the century, rappers with a considerable income would take on the "boss" look with fancy costume pieces covered and fur coats (made of faux-fur or real animal fur). In today's society, rappers flaunt their extravagant apparel and throw around the names high-end fashion brands such as Versace, Givanche, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Armani and other brands in their songs. To compliment the abundance of fancy clothing, lots of rappers from the early 2000s to now, seem to sport an excessive amount of custom chains, necklaces, and rings. Despite these things, hip hop's "hottest look" one day might become antiquated the next day in the ever-so developing culture and its large pallet of artists.