It’s no secret that Black people are the blueprint for almost everything that’s become a trend now. Black people have influenced the way fashion and pop culture have shifted throughout the years. As Black people created their sense of self and embraced their culture, the rest of the world sat back and mimicked many of those authentic styles. Here are five styles created by Black people that became a worldwide trend.
1. Hoop earrings
Hoop earrings were introduced in the 1960s and 1970s by the Black and Latinx community. Advocates and activists wore them to symbolize their African descent as hoop earrings were worn in some of the first known civilizations. People like Nina Simone and Angela Davis wore hoop earrings to complete their looks of strength and resistance. During the hip-hop era of the 1970s and 1980s, hoop earrings were well known and associated with a “ghetto” or “ratchet” Black woman. Black women took it more as a compliment because it gave them a form of representation. Now, hoop earrings are normalized and are an everyday accessory.
2. Baggy clothes
When we think of baggy clothes, we think of Kriss Kross and the late 80s/early 90s. Oversized and baggy clothes originated from Black streetwear. The hardcore gangster rap and the image that came with it attributed to the style and became a fashion interest. Female rappers also chimed in to present their tomboy style and show that they could have just as much fun as male rappers. This style became popular and adapted into boyfriend jeans and oversized t-shirts. Baggy clothes are slowly making a comeback as boyfriend jeans and cargo style pants are making its way back to style.
3. Sneakerheads
Run DMC, Kurtis Blow, and LL Cool J ushered in a new era with their famous Adidas tracksuits and matching sneakers. They established sneakers as the men’s’ most important accessory. Staying on top of your sneaker game meant you had status, money, and identified with your culture. Adidas, Nike, Pumas, Reebok, Filas, Champions, and many more were the staple products of Black culture and the hip-hop scene.
4. Bucket Hats
Along with the previously mentioned matching tracksuits and sneakers, bucket hats pulled the entire look together. LL Cool J made the Kangol bucket hats popular as he was the first notable rapper to add the hat to his image and. Bucket hats came in all colors and materials and lasted as a trend until the early 2000s. You can find different designed Kangol hats appearing in popular movies and television shows like Clueless and Claws.
5. Logomania
Brands like Nike, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton love to see their logo printed all over their products but they would have never came up with the idea if it wasn’t for Harlem designer, Dapper Dan. Dapper Dan would use printed fabrics to accentuate his designs and make his logo stand out. This was a win-win for both Dan and the brands he worked with. This phenomenon erupted and now, you can see at least one item from a brand with their logo printed all over.
Black culture and fashion shaped today’s fashion world and the social trends we like to follow. Black fashion has always been eccentric, fun, and expressive and that’s why so many trends were built from that.
