*blog request* URBAN STYLE

i received a request from the lovely V (vida verbatim) recently to do a blog feature on urban style and thought “hmm…. this sounds fun!” it’s clearly evident with a mere glance at my blog (or facebook page, or tumblr, or shop, or…) that i am beyond in love with Japanese street styles and the like, so this little assignment is kinda exciting.

the evolution of hip hop fashion has always, unsurprisingly, been linked to the music of the era. this is true for many genres of music and the subsequent tribes that follow, but in the research i did for this piece i found something very interesting: the tribes are mixing.

just add swag.
photo courtesy of sh0rtz co.

while this is not absolute and hip hop will always have its distinctions, there seems to be a lot of crossover happening in urban fashion, especially, but not limited to, females. things that were once punk (studs, spikes, mohawks) are now easily found in mainstream hip hop thanks to the influence of stars like rihanna and nicki minaj. ok, let’s play with some ideas.

yeah.. i drew this. <3

the current typical “hipster” silhouette of highwaisted cutoffs and a crop top is undeniably hood with the addition of a few accessories. doorknockers and thick gold chains circa 1980’s, a baseball cap and oversized flannel shirt worn open circa 1990’s. throw in some big kicks and boom: you’re like a left eye “lisa” lopes for the new generation. sounds easy huh? it is! ;)

ok, let’s try something a little different. take a super oversized jersey (chosen based on the number and team if you’re so inclined, or the color like i would, haha), belt it at your natural waist, add thick tights and some sick bootie wedges and whatever jewelry you want. toss on a fur trimmed bomber jacket and there you have it: a cute and girly take on urban style that’s perfect for winter.

ruki from the GazettE, making an
unflattering face, but you get the idea.
he's cute huh? ;)

heh. ruki's shoe.

this crossover trend goes both ways actually, with more hip hop style being incorporated into the hipster and rocker tribes as well, and not just with women. male artists like john mayer (sometimes and ew kinda, sorry) and RUKI from the japanese band the GazettE (my favorite!!><), both total rocker boys, tend to throw little hip hop flares into their own style which, in my opinion, makes it just that: their style.

i can’t stress enough that fashion should ALWAYS be and extension of yourself, even when you are trying to be someone different. that sounds weird, but what i mean is that even though we all may have times where we want to dress completely different than we usually do, want to become a different person so to speak, it should always reflect ourselves somehow. otherwise you’re gonna be that girl at the party in the corner of the room tugging at the hem of her dress or screwing with her hair all night wishing she’d just been a little more herself… you know?

 btw, new FRUiTS feature coming soon! i lamely missed the september issue, but i have the october one in hand and will be showing the best looks (in my skewed vision) soon!! XxxXchi