Contemporary Hip-Hop Fashion: Swagger & Style


Contemporary Hip-Hop Fashion: Swagger & Style

Jun 10, 2010 Hannah O'Connor

Granted, it takes an extreme level of confidence and swagger to be able to pull off a bespoke suit with a New Era fitted baseball cap, unless you are Jay-Z of course. Championing fearless self-expression and bold experimentalism, Hip-Hop culture has always found a way of transgressing the status quo, and its style is no exception.

During the '90s, hip-hop fashion could be considered uncompromisingly street. Artists favoured the likes of throwback sports jerseys, bright garish tees and oversized jeans – the baggier the better! Thankfully, now with many of its most significant and influential artists, such as Jay-Z, Diddy and LL Cool J, nearing or even surpassing the big 4-0, hip-hop’s newfound maturity is also beginning to reflect in its fashion - but not at the cost of its urban flavour.

Sean John & Rocawear – Hip-Hop Meets Fashion

To reflect on the maturity of the culture, popular urban clothing line Sean John’s current collection ranges from the casual to formal dress, supplying a range of suits and dress shirts. Established by rap mogul Sean ‘Diddy Combs in 1998, Sean John has been a leader in the hip-hop fashion world for over a decade and has been instrumental in the development of rap executive chic.

Much like that of their rivals, the 2010 Lookbook from the well-established hip-hop clothing brand Rocawear focused on a much more polished look than its earlier more street-inspired style. This year’s collection seems to have taken a smart/casual approach, fusing their wider range of shirts and polo shirts with its traditional denim and urban-inspired apparel. The Lookbook also showcases a less conspicuous range of colours than you would probably expect from a hip-hop clothing line, showing how the culture has matured from the more outrageous styles of the 80’s and 90’s.

Swagtastic Style With Accessories

Of course it wouldn’t be hip-hop fashion without adding a flash of individuality, although in the contemporary urban style it seems to be becoming more subtle. Many rap fashionistos are maintaining the urban flavour with simple yet bold accessories, like hats, jewellery, cufflinks, ties, belt buckles or even suspenders – originally popularised by breakers but re-introduced by artists like Outkast’s Andre 3000.

The Roc4Life fashion blog recently praised the G-Tie as a “serious upgrade” to any tie collection. Similarly, it described the Rocawear Deep Brooklyn Fedora as having “cool written all over it” and “style only the freshest of fresh can appreciate.” For anybody looking to add a sophisticated sense of nostalgia, then Swagger & Swoon’s range of suspenders are definitely are great addition to customise any contemporary urban-influenced outfit. More professional and business-focused than ever before, hip-hop has finally infiltrated the corporate world and that is now becoming increasingly apparent in its fashion.

Copyright Hannah O'Connor. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.


What do you think about this article?