The “Golden Age of Hip Hop,” a musical and artistic period that surged from the late ‘80s to mid ‘90s where the bass was heavy, the lyrics were innovating and authentic and the style—man oh man, the style was fresher than any 140 BPM beat! With performers like Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Run-D.M.C and many more, the world of hip hop was paving the urban community on a path of upliftment from platforms both sonically and politically. With the music creating a revolutionary era promoting freedom of speech within poverty-stricken Black neighborhoods, fashion took on the lead to becoming another outlet of self-expression that drastically changed and impacted mainstream culture and the way we view it today.
That impact, to this day, can still be seen in some of our favorite modern stores such as Urban Outfitters, Topshop, Karmaloop and more. It’s extremely interesting and eye-opening to see just how much the era of hip hop has shaped and inspired known fashion trends today, both on the runway and in local department stores. I mean, after all, vintage is the new black!
Bringing the ‘90s back to UConn in full force, this Fashionisto is ready to be the star in his own music video, as he rocks an old-school Starter’s Piston jacket effortlessly. The Starter’s brand making headlines back in the ’80s was known to have made waves for merging the realm of sports within the fashion industry. For two decades, Starter was one of the leading brands in sports apparel, with promotional contributions from hip hop artists donning their own pair of the jackets in both public settings and in their hottest videos. To keep things extra vintage, this Fashionisto sports a pair of Air Jordan VI “Sport Blue.” The shoes are simple with the all white, yet still manage to keep a sleekness to it with the touch of blue linings at the bottom sides.
Giving this outfit a finished look, and also my favorite part, is a black bucket hat that depicts the phrase “Real.” Very fitting to summarize the revolutionary period of both music and fashion that was always known for never holding back it’s tongue.
What is your STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK? “Black don’t lack.”
