An article published on NY Daily News by
Anita M. Samuels on F3b 6, 2013. Proudly sharing at
Surpent Urban Clothing Reviews.
First, there were outfits that were once exclusively referred to as “hip hop” clothing. Remember Brooklyn rapper Notorious B.I.G. and his 1994 homage to the then-current urban style?
“Way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack with the hat to match,” he rhymed in his 1994 single “Juicy.”
But times change and tastes change.
In an increasing, multimillion-dollar movement, several seemingly unrelated fashion genres — hip hop’s urban streetwear, skateboarding clothing styles and hipster fashions — have melded, and the resulting fashions are spreading like wildfire around the world and back.
Shoppers at established New York urban fashion retailers, such as Dr. Jay’s, Jimmy Jazz, V.I.M., Portabella, Pretty Girl and Conway’s, look a lot different than they did decades ago. More whites, Asians and other ethnic groups are shopping for the popular clothing, which include baggy and skinny jeans, dresses, footwear, bags, shirts sports team baseball caps and more.
And it’s an international phenomenon. Topstreetwear.com, a website in Stockholm selling pricey urban clothing to shoppers around the globe, is one example of the growing worldwide demand for the fashions.
Back in the day, in the early times of hip-hop style, the fashions included personalized crewneck sweatshirts, Converse sneakers, Kangol bucket hats, name buckles and Cazal sunglasses.
They were popularized by gang members, rappers, break dancers, deejays and drug dealers and millions.
But in the late ’80s and early ’90s, rap aficionados were introduced to a new styles – designer Karl Kani’s oversized baggy jeans; culturally inspired Cross Colours outfits; urban/Ivy League flair of Russell Simmons’ Phat Farm and workwear clothing and boots by Timberland, Carhartt, Dickies, Champion and The Northface.
Hip hop artist Soulja Boy arrives at the BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta in 2007.
Hip hop artist Soulja Boy arrives at the BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta in 2007. (Jeff Christensen/AP)
As the fashion evolved, it exploded into an international, multimillion-dollar industry, inspiring Chanel and Isaac Mizrahi.
Widespread demand eventually drew artists such as Jay-Z and Sean Combs into fashion design, while developing a niche market of independent streetwear lines such as Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne’s Black Apple, which is available online at Dr. Jay’s and in stores.
Local retailers have been successful in keeping up with the demand for the trendy apparel and accessories, which have also been embraced by Hollywood on the silver screen as well as in many popular television sitcoms, such as “The Big Bang Theory” and “2 Broke Girls.”
Apart from belts, a few watches and inexpensive bracelets, most stores sell their jewelry online. Jimmy Jazz sells costume bling bracelets, religious icon necklaces, as well as the popular “shamballa” bracelets, stretchy spike bracelets, necklaces and rings.
At Jimmy Jazz’s 125th St. and Lenox Ave. location in Harlem, manager Imram Khan says even his diehard hip-hop customers are following the trend away from old-school baggy to slimmer styles, such as Levis 569s — slimmer, relaxed-fit jeans — for example.
Whether it is men’s military-styled sweaters or peplum dresses from Jimmy Jazz’s brand Decibel, the chain’s reasonable prices provide options for fashion-conscious consumers on a tight budget.
Many shoppers also stock up closet staples such as thermal shirts, leggings, sweaters and plaid shirts. But footwear is something that people are more than willing to pay full price for said Khan, listing sneakers like Jordan Retro 13 sneakers, and boots by Polo, Timberland and Lugz among the popular items.
Anoop Persaud, manager of Dr. Jay’s in Jamaica, Queens, and salesman Naseem Muntaz said they first saw the move from baggy to slimmer around 2004 - 2005.
Jimmy Jazz is located at 125th St. and Lenox Ave. in Harlem.
Jimmy Jazz is located at 125th St. and Lenox Ave. in Harlem. (HAYDEN-ROGER-CELESTIN)
“Now, Rocawear does it, Sean John is doing it, and even the company Champion has tighter track suits,” Persaud observed.
Akademiks shirts, Smoke Rise varsity jackets and anything from rapper Lil’ Wayne’s Trukfit continue to fly off the shelves. DC sneakers and Radii boots also see brisk sales.
Michalad Victor, who was trying on a pair of black patent leather Doc Martin boots, says his clothing is inspired by hip hop.
“I wear it because it’s fashionable,” he said.
For rap fans, today’s slender clothing presents a contrasting view to early images of performers wearing oversized, baggy clothing.
The first incarnation of urban streetwear was said to be Williwear, loose-fitting sportwear by the late designer Willi Smith in 1976.
Although die-hard rap fans may still wear classic baggy clothing, some - due in part to fashion innovators such as music producer Pharrell Williams, co-designer of Billionaire Boys Club/ICE CREAM clothing and rapper Kanye West’s fashions, are also embracing slimmer-fitting, high-end clothing and accessories – many of which are replicated for affordability.
“People like more Italian style,” says Anisur Rahman of Portabella menswear in Queens. “It means they like more fitted clothing, the pants, the shirts, the skinny ties, not the baggy clothing.”
Shoe from Jimmy Jazz.
Shoe from Jimmy Jazz. (HAYDEN-ROGER-CELESTIN)
Some of their biggest sellers are cardigan sweaters, COOGI shirts and colorful blazers, while slim suits and pointy shoes are both experiencing resurgence.
Messenger bags and backpacks were the cornerstone of Brooklyn Industries in 1998; they later added women’s, men’s and children’s attire.
Items in demand include “water tower” logoed outerwear, lifetime warranty bags, women’s button-ups, sweaters and unisex “Brooklyn” hoodies.
Stores around the city do not typically carry the same merchandise, and brands may not always be known by name, but styles are recognizable to consumers. One caveat is that what’s old is new again, whether they are leggings, dolman-sleeve dresses, plaid button-down shirts, camouflage cargo pants or cardigan sweaters. In today’s world, the cyclic hand of fashion dictates that clothing from the past be worn in newfangled ways.
At V.I.M, women’s, colored skinny jeans and leggings in colors, prints and florals by Basic Essentials and Fashion Lab are worn with long or short sheer chiffon blouses from Baby Phat with Dunk Sky High Wedge Sneakers by Nike.
Dresses are often short and include vibrantly colored knits or animal prints, in one-shoulder, sleeveless and sequined styles that can be dressed up or worn casually.
Skirts are in varying lengths, from long maxis and mini “scuba”, plaid “midi” and the current hi-low hem styles from companies such as Nana Fashions.
Cropped jackets with zippers and blazers in leather or wool are also trend-setters.
Graphic T-shirts from Rocawear and Southpole, sports team sweat suits, and Levi jeans continue to be staples.
Toggle coats, military-styled wool, boyfriend sweater peacoats, and varsity jackets all add up to a complete look.
Source -
http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/fashion/hip-hop-styles-spawn-hot-streetwear-trend-article-1.1256775
