Hip Hop Fashion: From Adidas to Givenchy

The streets set the trends. Not vice versa.

A Retrospective - Hip hop is more than beats and rhymes — it is a lifestyle. And nothing says that more than hip hop’s relationship with fashion. To put in perspective how far this relationship has come, click through to see the various fashion trends from hip hop throughout the years. (Photo: Oliver Morris/Getty Images)

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A Retrospective - Hip hop is more than beats and rhymes — it is a lifestyle. And nothing says that more than hip hop’s relationship with fashion. To put in perspective how far this relationship has come, click through to see the various fashion trends from hip hop throughout the years. (Photo: Oliver Morris/Getty Images)

Original - July 19, 1986. The date the world got to really see hip hop’s influence on fashion. Run DMC performed "My Adidas" in front of 20,000 at Madison Square Garden and asked fans to wave their Adidas in the air. Nearly everyone did. This led to Run DMC signing the first rap endorsement deal ever with Adidas. Until this day, Adidas is still a force in hip hop. The Yeezy Boost line with Kanye West is the hottest line on the market right now. (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Original - July 19, 1986. The date the world got to really see hip hop’s influence on fashion. Run DMC performed "My Adidas" in front of 20,000 at Madison Square Garden and asked fans to wave their Adidas in the air. Nearly everyone did. This led to Run DMC signing the first rap endorsement deal ever with Adidas. Until this day, Adidas is still a force in hip hop. The Yeezy Boost line with Kanye West is the hottest line on the market right now. (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Iced Out - The grill is as old as hip hop itself. Golden age rappers like Slick Rick and Rakim could be seen rocking a gold grill. During the 2000s, it was southern rappers like Lil Wayne and Paul Wall who wore platinum grills. Today, the grill is seen on several artists like A$AP Rocky and Chris Brown to Rihanna and Beyoncé. (Photos from left: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage for BET Network, Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for 2015 Tribeca Film Festival)

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Iced Out - The grill is as old as hip hop itself. Golden age rappers like Slick Rick and Rakim could be seen rocking a gold grill. During the 2000s, it was southern rappers like Lil Wayne and Paul Wall who wore platinum grills. Today, the grill is seen on several artists like A$AP Rocky and Chris Brown to Rihanna and Beyoncé. (Photos from left: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage for BET Network, Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for 2015 Tribeca Film Festival)

The Kangol - In the late '80s, rappers added another accessory to their fashion arsenal: the beret. Not any kind of beret, however — only the Kangol, which was rocked by everyone from LL Cool J to EPMD. (Photo: Fotos International/Getty Images)

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The Kangol - In the late '80s, rappers added another accessory to their fashion arsenal: the beret. Not any kind of beret, however — only the Kangol, which was rocked by everyone from LL Cool J to EPMD. (Photo: Fotos International/Getty Images)

More Gold - Similar to grills, gaudy rope chains like these worn by Slick Rick, were a trend lifted directly from the local drug kingpins of the time. In fact, in the booklet for Eric B and Rakim's classic debut album, Paid in Full (released in 1987), Supreme Magnetic and the original 50 Cent, two of the most infamous NYC kingpins of that era, can be seen rocking rope chains alongside Eric B and Rakim. (Photo: Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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More Gold - Similar to grills, gaudy rope chains like these worn by Slick Rick, were a trend lifted directly from the local drug kingpins of the time. In fact, in the booklet for Eric B and Rakim's classic debut album, Paid in Full (released in 1987), Supreme Magnetic and the original 50 Cent, two of the most infamous NYC kingpins of that era, can be seen rocking rope chains alongside Eric B and Rakim. (Photo: Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Luxury - Thirty years ago, Schoolly D released his classic single “Gucci Time,” an ode to the high-end Italian brand. Not only is the brand still part of hip hop culture, it’s still thriving. A study completed by PicClick shows that Gucci is the most mentioned brand in hip hop. Gucci was rappers’ first introduction to high-end clothes, which over the years expanded to brands like Louis Vuitton and Versace. (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

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Luxury - Thirty years ago, Schoolly D released his classic single “Gucci Time,” an ode to the high-end Italian brand. Not only is the brand still part of hip hop culture, it’s still thriving. A study completed by PicClick shows that Gucci is the most mentioned brand in hip hop. Gucci was rappers’ first introduction to high-end clothes, which over the years expanded to brands like Louis Vuitton and Versace. (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

Conscious Fashion - Cross Colours was first introduced to the world in the early '90s with the tagline “clothes without prejudices.” The bright, politically conscious clothes were marketed towards Black kids and had the support from a wide spectrum of rappers, from Will Smith to Snoop Dogg to Queen Latifah. (Photo: Alice S. Hall/NBCU Photo Bank)

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Conscious Fashion - Cross Colours was first introduced to the world in the early '90s with the tagline “clothes without prejudices.” The bright, politically conscious clothes were marketed towards Black kids and had the support from a wide spectrum of rappers, from Will Smith to Snoop Dogg to Queen Latifah. (Photo: Alice S. Hall/NBCU Photo Bank)

Ladies First - Anything a man can do, a woman can do better. This rings especially true for menswear. Salt-N-Pepa were the first hugely popular female hip hop act to embrace baggy denim and oversized leathers, just like the fellas of the time. Their early influence has lasted over the years, influencing the styles of Aaliyah, TLC and current day star Rihanna. (Photos from left: Martyn Goodacre/Getty Images, Catherine McGann/Getty Images, Frank Trapper/Sygma/Corbis)

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Ladies First - Anything a man can do, a woman can do better. This rings especially true for menswear. Salt-N-Pepa were the first hugely popular female hip hop act to embrace baggy denim and oversized leathers, just like the fellas of the time. Their early influence has lasted over the years, influencing the styles of Aaliyah, TLC and current day star Rihanna. (Photos from left: Martyn Goodacre/Getty Images, Catherine McGann/Getty Images, Frank Trapper/Sygma/Corbis)

Streetwear - There was once a time where Timberlands were exclusively used as work wear. However, East Coast rappers like Mobb Deep, Das EFX and Naughty by Nature helped turn the boot into the iconic fashion item it is now. Treach from Naughty by Nature was the first to mention the boot in "Uptown Anthem." He rapped, “...groups and troops with Timbo boots and jail suits.” (Photos from left: Von Holden/FilmMagic, Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

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Streetwear - There was once a time where Timberlands were exclusively used as work wear. However, East Coast rappers like Mobb Deep, Das EFX and Naughty by Nature helped turn the boot into the iconic fashion item it is now. Treach from Naughty by Nature was the first to mention the boot in "Uptown Anthem." He rapped, “...groups and troops with Timbo boots and jail suits.” (Photos from left: Von Holden/FilmMagic, Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

Tommy's Turn - During the ‘90s, many music stars embraced Tommy Hilfiger and soon the brand became a hot ticket item among the Black community. Remember Aaliyah‘s Tommy Girl ad? Or Snoop Dogg rocking a Tommy Hilfiger sweater during a performance on Saturday Night Live? That sweater became a best seller. (Photos from left: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage, Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

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Tommy's Turn - During the ‘90s, many music stars embraced Tommy Hilfiger and soon the brand became a hot ticket item among the Black community. Remember Aaliyah‘s Tommy Girl ad? Or Snoop Dogg rocking a Tommy Hilfiger sweater during a performance on Saturday Night Live? That sweater became a best seller. (Photos from left: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage, Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

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Vintage - When you think of Coogi, you think of The Notorious B.I.G., who name dropped the iconic Italian brand many times throughout his career. His most famous Coogi line? “Heartthrob never / Black and ugly as ever / However, I stay Coogi down to the socks.” (Photo: Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) 

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Vintage - When you think of Coogi, you think of The Notorious B.I.G., who name dropped the iconic Italian brand many times throughout his career. His most famous Coogi line? “Heartthrob never / Black and ugly as ever / However, I stay Coogi down to the socks.” (Photo: Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) 

Strictly Business - By the mid ‘90s to the early 2000s, almost every relevant rapper had their own streetwear line and some were successful — like Jay Z and Roc-a-Wear, Puff Daddy and Sean John — while most were not. Rappers from Fat Joe to Busta Rhymes to Snoop Dogg to Outkast all had failed streetwear brands. (Photos from left: Robin Platzer/Twin Images/Online USA Inc., Anthony Barboza/Getty Images)

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Strictly Business - By the mid ‘90s to the early 2000s, almost every relevant rapper had their own streetwear line and some were successful — like Jay Z and Roc-a-Wear, Puff Daddy and Sean John — while most were not. Rappers from Fat Joe to Busta Rhymes to Snoop Dogg to Outkast all had failed streetwear brands. (Photos from left: Robin Platzer/Twin Images/Online USA Inc., Anthony Barboza/Getty Images)

Team Player - Jerseys joined the mix in the early 2000s. This was in large part due to rappers like Jay Z, Cam’ron and Fabolous, who wore jerseys religiously. Fab gets extra props for making Mitchell & Ness’s pricey throwbacks a must-have during this period. (Photo: James Devaney/WireImage)

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Team Player - Jerseys joined the mix in the early 2000s. This was in large part due to rappers like Jay Z, Cam’ron and Fabolous, who wore jerseys religiously. Fab gets extra props for making Mitchell & Ness’s pricey throwbacks a must-have during this period. (Photo: James Devaney/WireImage)

Sneakerhead - Run DMC’s “My Adidas” is the most iconic sneaker anthem of all time. Next is Nelly’s “Air Force Ones.” The song was dedicated to Nike’s iconic Air Force 1 model, the first Nike shoe to use Nike Air technology. The sneaker had been popular for years, but “Air Force Ones” was the first time there was a song dedicated to its greatness. (Photos from left: Gregory Pace/FilmMagic, KMazur/WireImage)

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Sneakerhead - Run DMC’s “My Adidas” is the most iconic sneaker anthem of all time. Next is Nelly’s “Air Force Ones.” The song was dedicated to Nike’s iconic Air Force 1 model, the first Nike shoe to use Nike Air technology. The sneaker had been popular for years, but “Air Force Ones” was the first time there was a song dedicated to its greatness. (Photos from left: Gregory Pace/FilmMagic, KMazur/WireImage)

Clean - Every fashion trend needs a song. And the white tee rocked by rappers for eons, but never properly represented on wax, finally got one in 2004 when Atlanta rap group Dem Franchize Boyz released the insanely catchy “White Tee.” The song has become notable because it helped usher a new era in hip hop in which rappers from ATL were setting the trends. (Photos from left: Scott Gries/Getty Images, Brock Miller/Splash News/Corbis)

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Clean - Every fashion trend needs a song. And the white tee rocked by rappers for eons, but never properly represented on wax, finally got one in 2004 when Atlanta rap group Dem Franchize Boyz released the insanely catchy “White Tee.” The song has become notable because it helped usher a new era in hip hop in which rappers from ATL were setting the trends. (Photos from left: Scott Gries/Getty Images, Brock Miller/Splash News/Corbis)

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Dollar Signs - Nothing defined the commercial boom of hip hop like the bling era. Armed with millions of dollars from their record labels, local southern crews like Cash Money and No Limit blew up on a national level. What better way to show that you’re rich than to rock hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of platinum chains and watches? (Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

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Dollar Signs - Nothing defined the commercial boom of hip hop like the bling era. Armed with millions of dollars from their record labels, local southern crews like Cash Money and No Limit blew up on a national level. What better way to show that you’re rich than to rock hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of platinum chains and watches? (Photo: Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)

Denim Dreams - “How you want it, my jeans is $300. These ain't Diesel...these is Evisu.” And with that line from The Blueprint 2’s “Show You How,” Jay Z ushered in a new era of high-end, high-priced denim. Standard $60 Girbaud jeans were no longer the regular. It was all about premium denim brands like Evisu, Red Monkey and True Religion — which cost anywhere from $200 to $1000 a pair. (Photo: KMazur/WireImage for New York Post)

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Denim Dreams - “How you want it, my jeans is $300. These ain't Diesel...these is Evisu.” And with that line from The Blueprint 2’s “Show You How,” Jay Z ushered in a new era of high-end, high-priced denim. Standard $60 Girbaud jeans were no longer the regular. It was all about premium denim brands like Evisu, Red Monkey and True Religion — which cost anywhere from $200 to $1000 a pair. (Photo: KMazur/WireImage for New York Post)

Bape - Japanese clothing brand Bathing Ape has been around since the ‘90s. However, the brand didn’t become a household name until Pharrell started repping the brand’s now iconic sweaters and sneakers in the 2000s. (Photos from Left: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage for Rogers & Cowan, Theo Wargo/WireImage)

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Bape - Japanese clothing brand Bathing Ape has been around since the ‘90s. However, the brand didn’t become a household name until Pharrell started repping the brand’s now iconic sweaters and sneakers in the 2000s. (Photos from Left: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage for Rogers & Cowan, Theo Wargo/WireImage)

Classic - Rappers have been rocking Polo Ralph Lauren since the ‘90s. However, Polo saw a fresh resurgence in the 2000s thanks to Kanye West and Young Dro. Soon snug blazers and pop-collared polo shirts replaced the gangsta rugby-wearing styles of the past. (Photo: Theo Wargo/WireImage)

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Classic - Rappers have been rocking Polo Ralph Lauren since the ‘90s. However, Polo saw a fresh resurgence in the 2000s thanks to Kanye West and Young Dro. Soon snug blazers and pop-collared polo shirts replaced the gangsta rugby-wearing styles of the past. (Photo: Theo Wargo/WireImage)

Lifestyle - So what does fashion in current day hip hop look like? Nowadays, rappers embrace their own unique style. There is no longer one uniform look of the era. While brands like Gucci and Louie are still popular, rappers seem to have an affinity for pricier brands. The most popular is Givenchy, which has gotten the co-sign from stars like Kanye West, Jay Z and Pusha T. (Photo: Jason Squires/WireImage)

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Lifestyle - So what does fashion in current day hip hop look like? Nowadays, rappers embrace their own unique style. There is no longer one uniform look of the era. While brands like Gucci and Louie are still popular, rappers seem to have an affinity for pricier brands. The most popular is Givenchy, which has gotten the co-sign from stars like Kanye West, Jay Z and Pusha T. (Photo: Jason Squires/WireImage)