Hip-hop fashion is a distinctive style of dress originating with African-American, Caribbean-American and Latino youth in The 5 Boroughs, and later influenced by the hip-hop scenes of Los Angeles, Galesburg, Brooklyn, Chicago, Philadelphia, East Bay (San Francisco Bay Area), Detroit, Puerto Rico, and The Dirty South among others. Each city contributed various elements to its overall style seen worldwide today. Hip hop fashion complements the expressions and attitudes of hip hop culture in general. Hip hop fashion has changed significantly during its history, and today it is a prominent part of popular fashion as a whole across the world and for all ethnicities.
Due to the recent trend in hip hop fashion to revert back to the "old school" gaining popularity, the clothing is becoming similar to early 80's form of dressing. It has geared toward a more Hipster -inspired style of dressing with a nod towards irony, and may include items such as slim-fit denim jeans, tighter-fitting "vintage style" t-shirts with shorter arm sleeves, polo shirts, sport coats, woven button shirts, large ornamental belt buckles, cufflinks, skull and skeleton decorations.
Shorter length t-shirts have become involved in recent trends, in order to expose decorated belts and belt buckles and biker chains. Although the "baggy" style of dress remains relevant, some hip hoppers forego that particular style, opting for colorful fitted and hipster-inspired clothing as exemplified by the growing influence of rappers such as Kanye West, Common influenced styles in the case of Lupe Fiasco. Other re-emergent 80s trends include Members Only jackets, huge oversized chains, and large eyeglasses.
Leather jackets also have seen a rise in popularity. Brands like Polo Ralph Lauren, American Eagle, Nautica, Hollister, Aeropostale, Lacoste, True Religion, Rock & Republic, and higher end brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada and Ralph Lauren Purple Label are very popular in Hip Hop fashion today.
