Fashion lives forever, but trends come and go. Some trends we were better off without—like the oversized throwback jersey trend that Jay-Z helped usher us out of. Other trends seem to stand the test of time and find themselves re-emerging in every generation. The nineties marked a period in Hip-Hop history full of “firsts”. The culture had finally gained an identity, and aside from the music, fashion was the other mode of expression. There are so many trends resurfacing—from the chunky gold chains to the high top fades, traces of the nineties still flutter around nearly 30 years later.
Rappers use to shout out their hoods, now fashion designers get the most shout outs. There was a time in Hip Hop when rappers were rocking Karl Kani and Coogi, not Balmain and Gucci. Today’s rappers can thank Tupac for being Hip-Hop’s liaison to the fashion world. In 1996 during the height of his controversial career, Tupac made history and set a trend still present today. The infamous photo captures Tupac waltzing down the runway at Versace’s Milan Fashion Show. Not only was it the first time a rapper had graced a high fashion runway, but it would be the first time that a rapper set a trend for rocking European fashion. Fast forward twenty years, and high fashion brands have evolved to create entire urban lines. To think that there would be no Yeezy Collection if it weren’t for Tupac.
Pac may have set trends for high fashion, but when it came to street wear one brand reigned supreme and still does, Polo Ralph Lauren. Polo is still a classic in street wear, but in the nineties one gang took their infatuation for Polo to another level. The Brooklyn gang, The Lo Life’s were a shoplifting crew but became known for their obsession with Polo. They’re extravagant wardrobes were time capsuled in a new book “Bury Me With the Lo On” which chronicles one of Hip-Hop’s first urban street fashion crews. Log into Instagram and there are thousands of urban fashion gangs, just know they weren’t the first. All Hail the Nineties.
Even for ladies, nineties street wear is still finding it’s way back into the closet. The Spice Girls may not have made a huge statement in their chunky platform sneakers but thankfully, Rihanna remixed them for us. Her Puma platform sneaker, The Puma Fenty, is a subtle remake of the shoes that ran the nineties. Rih Rih was photo’d rocking a classic nineties look complete with platform sneaks and overalls. She and a host of other celebs are riding the nineties wave and bringing back this oldie but goodie, overalls. Some things never get old, especially when you know how to rock it.