During the 1980s, a decade that transformed the music industry, hip-hop fashion emerged as a force to be reckoned with.
Influenced by African-American culture and street fashion and augmented by the novel beats and rhymes, the 80s hip-hop fashion was groundbreaking – from colors to silhouettes and jewelry styles.
In collab with hip-hop celebs like Run D.M.C., L.L. Cool J, Salt-N-Pepa, Rakim, and N.W.A., brands like FUBU, Adidas, Nike, and Puma defined the 1980s hip-hop fashion and the looks of generations to come.
In this article, we dive into the iconic 80s hip-hop fashion styles, the celebrities that sported these looks, and the most popular brands.
1. 80s Hip-Hop Workwear Style
Afrika Bambaataa
Not a fashion style by choice, Afrika Bambaataa’s 80s hip-hop look combined classic factory workwear with streetwear apparel.
The hip-hop star became famous for his military-style jacket with epaulets, hoodie underneath, flared pants, and Afro-American accessories.
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2. 80s Hip-Hop Funky Style
The Sequence
The same was true with The Sequence’s choice of outfits during the early 80s hip-hop fashion decade.
As hip-hop fashion was yet to be defined, the group wore outfits depicting the funky style popular during the 70s fashion.
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3. 80s Hip-Hop Punker Style
Grandmaster Flash
However, Grandmaster Flash was one of the first hip-hop celebrities of the 80s decade that understood the need for a fresh style to match the uniqueness of the music.
Inspired by the decade’s rock and punk looks, Grandmaster Flash became famous for a hip-hop punk style; biker jacket, leather pants, baker boy cap, and high boots.
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4. 80s Hip-Hop Rocker Style
RUN D.M.C.
Not only did Run DMC bring hip-hop into the musical and cultural mainstream via a musical style later known as “new-school” rap, but their fashion choices were equally special.
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5. 80s Hip-Hop Logomania
The Fat Boys
By introducing clothes with branded logos everywhere, the Fat Boys band took the eighties hip-hop fashion to another level.
The group’s most popular styles comprised ‘all-over logo’ leather jackets and caps, huge logo tees, straight-leg dark jeans, Puma or Adidas sneakers, and massive golden chains.
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6. 80s Glamour Hip-Hop
Lisa Lisa
The American singer and actress gained popularity in the 1980s music scene as the lead vocalist of the band Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam.
Moreover, Lisa Lisa’s dressing style became known as Glamour Hip Hop fashion, thanks to her mix of streetwear and glamour outfits.
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7. 80s Hip-Hop Athletic Style
LL Cool J
LL Cool J, born James Todd Smith, emerged in the mid-1980s as one of the pioneers of the smooth, melodic hip-hop genre.
Influenced by his athletic background and fitness, LL Cool J adopted a hip-hop athletic style comprised of tracksuits, sweatshirts, and sneakers.
The rapper’s iconic look comprised Kangol bucket hats, Adidas tracksuits, high-top Adidas sneakers, and huge golden chains.
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8. Hip-Hop Skater Style
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys mesmerized the mid-80s hip-hop scene with a rare blend of rap, punk, and rock music and a unique skater hip-hop dressing style.
With oversized checkered shirts over t-shirts, rolled-up jeans, caps or beanies, skater sneakers, and hip-hop accessories like pagers and golden chains, their dressing style was rebellious and playful at the same time.
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9. 80s Hip-Hop “Queen” Style
Roxanne Shante
Roxanne Shante’s style was a mix of streetwear, punk fashion, the 80s fitness craze, and a touch of glam.
Her signature look comprised a punk rock jacket and mini skirt, fitness sneakers with leg warmers, chunky hip-hop style jewelry, and gold earrings.
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10. 80s Tomboy Hip-Hop Style
MC Lyte
MC Lyte’s tomboyish hip-hop clothing style was seen as a departure from the traditional feminine clothing worn by other 80s female hip-hop artists.
The American rapper’s masculine hip-hop fashion style reflected her lyrics on empowering women and challenging gender norms.
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11. 80s Hip-Hop Baddie Style
Sweet Tee
Reaching popularity in the late 1980s with hit songs like “It’s My Beat” and “On the Smooth Tip,” Sweet Tee’s hip-hop fashion was what we describe nowadays as “baddie style.”
Blending sportswear and streetwear clothes, her looks comprised colorful leggings, crop tops, oversized jumpers, and sneakers, accessorized with chunky gold jewelry, hoop earrings, and colorful bandanas.
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12. 80s African Hip-Hop Style
Queen Latifah
Rapper, singer, and actress Queen Latifah was a prominent figure in the late 80s hip-hop scene.
Known for socially conscious lyrics that championed women’s rights faced by the African American community, Latifah’s hip-hop fashion style reflected her African heritage.
The style comprised colorful African-inspired prints, dashikis, headwraps, and kente cloth, beautifully paired with cowrie shell necklaces and African-style bracelets.
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13. Afro-American Hip-Hop Style
Salt ‘N’ Pepa
Salt ‘N’ Pepa’s Afro-American Hip-Hop Style was characterized by colorful spandex outfits, oversized college or bomber jackets, asymmetrical tops, high leather boots, and gold jewelry.
Salt ‘N’ Pepa’s late hip-hop style was influenced by their African American heritage hence the extensive use of African-inspired prints and patterns such as dashikis and Kente cloth.
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14. 80s Hip-Hop “Pusher” Style
Ice T
The legendary rapper, actor, and producer is one of the pioneers of gangsta rap, a subgenre of hip-hop covering the gritty realities of street life.
Ice T’s 80s hip-hop “pusher” style was influenced by the drug dealer fashion of the time; shirts in dark colors, flared suit pants, 80s leather jackets, and vests, topped off with gold accessories depicting a dangerous lifestyle.
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15. 80s Hip-Hop Formal Style
Big Daddy Kane
By the end of the 80s decade, the most popular hip-hop styles were a complex blend of streetwear looks with tailored suits from high-end brands.
Designer suits (oversized jackets) were combined with silk shirts, loose-fitting formal pants, Wallabee shoes, gold watches, bracelets, and chains to create a luxurious, wealthy look.
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A Brief History of 80s Hip-hop Fashion
Early 80s Hip-Hop Fashion
1980 – 1983
At the start of the 80s decade, the streets of New York City came alive at the sound of hip-hop.
Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, and Lovebug Starski’s beats were unique, fresh, and infectious.
Dressed in workwear, cowboy, and streetwear with flared pants and matched with baker boy, cowboy, and factory-style hats, the looks were inspired by the 70s fashion decade.
However, as more hip-hop groups and celebs emerged, such as Run D.M.C., The Sequence, Kurtis Blow, and Treacherous Three, the 80s hip-hop fashion styles diversified.
The new looks transitioned from workwear and funky fashion to more polished ones comprising coats, shorts, oversized glasses, and golden accessories.
As Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five grew in popularity, their punk-influenced style built around leather and shiny metallics also started to catch up.
Mid-80s Hip-Hop Fashion
1984 – 1987
During the mid-80s, celebs like LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, Whodini, Run DMC, Lisa Lisa, Beastie Boys, and The Fat Boys started to pay full attention to their hip-hop fashion styles.
Athletic wear, tracksuits, leather jackets, sneakers, fedora hats, college jackets, blue jeans, oversized sunglasses, and golden chains made up the bulk hip-hop fashion.
Brands like Adidas, Puma, Kangol, Fila, Lee Jeans, and Nike were hip-hopper’s main choices during the mid-80s decade.
Late 80s Hip-Hop Fashion
1988 – 1989
As the hip-hop musical genre solidifies its presence in the cultural realm, so do the fashion styles accompanying the soul-snatching beats.
The late 80s hip-hop fashion scene was a vibrant mix of streetwear, African-inspired styles, and designer looks that exuded luxury and sophistication.
Streetwear continued to be popular, with oversized clothing, baggy pants, and bucket hats dominating the scene.
However, African-inspired prints of bright colors started to be adopted by hip-hop stars, with brands like Kangol and Sergio Tacchini as the decade’s household names.
Hip-hop fashion also saw a rise in the adoption of “gangsta dressing style” and the “rich boys look” comprised of tailored designer suits mixed with sneakers and oversized gold accessories.
Hip-hop celebs like Queen Latifah, Kurtis Blow, Salt N Pepa, Ice T, and Big Daddy Kane were leading the new trend with high-quality pieces that combined the streetwear aesthetic with the sophistication of luxury fashion.
Overall, the late 80s hip-hop fashion scene was a fusion of diverse styles and influences, creating a unique and dynamic look that has continued to inspire fashion today.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 80s hip-hop fashion was a mix of streetwear, African-inspired styles, and classic looks with tailored designer suits and gold accessories, with stylistic adaptations and innovations year after year.
The clothing styles of influential artists like Run D.M.C., Whodini, Lisa Lisa, LL Cool J, Queen Latifah, Salt-N-Pepa, and Roxanne Shante, represented the diversity and creativity of the era.
The fashion of the 80s hip-hop scene was a statement of identity and a representation of the community.
The style of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five and Kurtis Blow, Rakim, MC Lyte, Ice T, and Big Daddy Kane represented the struggles and triumphs of the people and gave them a sense of pride and empowerment.
The 80s hip-hop fashion continues to inspire and influence current styles, such as the resurgence of tracksuits, oversized jackets, name belts, and chunky gold jewelry.
The legacy of the 80s hip-hop fashion lives on and will continue to inspire future generations.
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Now it’s your turn…
Which one of these hip-hop fashion styles do you think was most popular during the 80s?
Which hip-hop style from the 80s do you think we’ve missed and should include in our next article update?
Please leave your comments below; we always appreciate your comments and use them to learn, improve, and update these articles.
After years of managing hundreds of fashion brands from London’s office of a global retailer, Mandy has ventured into freelancing. Connected with several fashion retailers and media platforms in the US, Australia, and the UK, Mandy uses her expertise to consult for emerging fashion brands create top-notch content as an editorial strategist for several online publications.
