Hip hop has always been a subculture that revolved around fashion. The hip hop movement has evolved over the years, and so have its fashions.
In the early 2000s hip hop was moving away from the baggy jeans and jerseys of the 1990s. Newer rappers like Jay Z and Kanye West brought new ideas forward about what could be worn as hip hop fashion.
With all these changes happening in the world of hip hop fashion, let’s take a look at some examples of how people were dressing in the 2000s when it came to this subculture and its associated fashions.
2000s Hip Hop Fashion for Men
In the 2000s it was more common to see men wearing hoodies, t-shirts and even baseball caps. Again, these were not new items, but they were being worn more often by the men who were part of the hip-hop subculture.
Headwear was especially important for hip hop fashion in the 2000s with baseball caps and bucket hats being very popular.
There was also a rising trend for fedoras both for casual and formal occasions. Along with headwear, jewelry became more important in hip hop fashion in the 2000s. Hip hop artists including Jay Z and 50 Cent, brought this trend forward.
2000s Hip Hop Fashion for Women
In the 2000s it was very common to see women wearing hoodies and t-shirts, just like the men who were part of the hip hop subculture. While traditional tops like shirts and dresses remained popular other types of tops were worn less.
Headwear was also important for hip hop fashion in the 2000s with baseball caps being a popular choice. There was also a rising trend for women to wear fedoras both for casual and formal occasions.
Along with headwear jewelry became more important in hip hop fashion in the 2000s. Hip hop artists, including Nicki Minaj and Cardi B, brought this trend forward.
2000s Hip Hop Fashion Footwear
For footwear, it was common in the early 2000s to see people wearing basketball shoes, trail running shoes, and boots. Basketball shoes were a popular choice among many people, including hip hop artists.
Trail running shoes were worn by many on the basketball court, while boots were worn by the more fashionable members of the hip hop subculture.
For basketball shoes, brands such as Air Jordan and Adidas were popular choices.
For trail running shoes, brands such as Asics, Nike, and Salomon were worn.
For boots, brands such as Timberland and Clarks were worn.
While basketball shoes and trail running shoes were mostly worn by men, boots were worn by both men and women.
Importance of Sneakers in Hip Hop Culture
Many people, especially those who were part of the hip hop subculture began to see sneakers as a symbol of wealth. While sneakers are shoes, they differ from other types of footwear in many ways. For example, sneakers are usually worn casually, while other types of shoes are mostly worn for more formal occasions.
There are also many different types of sneakers, and they vary greatly in price. As a result people who wear sneakers often choose their footwear based on which type of sneakers they can afford. Some people may even want to wear a particular type of sneaker, but they cannot afford it because it is too expensive.
Baseball Caps and Hoodies
As the hip hop subculture progressed, many people who wore baseball caps began to choose them with a more stylish design. At the same time many began to wear baseball caps backwards. For example rappers wore baseball caps backwards while basketball players and other athletes often wore them forwards.
Men, women, and children of all ages wore baseball caps in the 2000s whether they were backwards or forwards.
Baggy Trousers
Baggy trousers which were very popular in the 1990s remained popular in the 2000s. For the most part people wore their baggy trousers with a belt.
However some people chose to wear baggy trousers without a bel, as they wanted to have a more baggy and relaxed look. Baggy trousers were worn by both men and women in the 2000s and they came in many colors and designs.
They were also worn by people of many different ages, including children and teenagers.
Jewelry and Accessories
There were changes in the types of jewelry and accessories worn by people in the 2000s. While many people continued to wear the same jewelry that they had worn in the 1990s others began to wear new types of jewelry.
Bangle, which were often made of metal or plastic were a popular choice in the 2000s. They could be worn on the wrist or on the ankle. Ankle bangles were often worn by women, while wrist bangles were worn by both men and women.
Rings were another type of jewelry that was worn more often in the 2000s. Some people began to wear gold rings,as this type of jewelry had become more affordable. While gold rings were often worn by men some women also wore them.
Along with rings and bangles earrings were another type of jewelry that was worn more often in the 2000s. Earrings were worn by both men and women in the 2000, though some types of earrings were more popular with one gender than the other.
Track Suits
Tracksuits were a popular choice in the 1990s, but they became even more common in the 2000s. In the 2000s tracksuits usually consisted of a jacket and trousers. The design of tracksuits varied greatly with some tracksuits having an athletic design and others having a more casual design.
Tracksuits were worn by both men and women in the 2000s and they were often used as casual or streetwear. As a result tracksuits were often worn by the people who were part of the hip hop subculture.
Summary
2000s hip hop fashion was all about expressing oneself through clothing. Whether it was wearing baggy clothes to show that you were part of the hip hop culture or wearing designer brands to show that you had money, people used fashion to communicate their interests and values. And while the trends may have changed over the years the importance of fashion in hip hop culture has remained the same.