What Do Hip-Hop Dancers Wear?
So you enjoy the entire routine of popping and locking, but are unsure of what clothes you are supposed to wear. This article helps with some information on what hip-hop dance costumes should look like.
Tulika Nair
It is said that hip-hop is not just about the music or the dance, it is about the culture and the attitude. That is probably what sets it apart from other dance styles. You will hardly ever see a person going to school in leotards and tutus but people wearing hip-hop dance clothes as everyday clothing is a common sight. That in itself tells you how this dance form as a culture has penetrated every aspect. Most of us associate hip-hop clothing gear with loose baggy clothes and flashy accessories. So, how did these dance clothes come to resemble the present day fashion trends. In this article, we trace the history of hip-hop clothing and tell you what you should be wearing for this dance form.
Hip-Hop Dance Clothing: An Overview
When hip-hop dance first grew in prominence, it started out as a street dance form. This is the reason why the clothing primarily includes the clothes that people would normally wear. So over-sized pants, jerseys, and sneakers became the costumes in which these dancers presented their moves to the world. With time, the popularity of the music and the dance form grew and many big brands started developing clothing lines marketed as hip-hop clothing. Tracksuits were also popular as clothes to wear while dancing, as were jackets. Most early hip-hop dancers were African-American and the culture reflected in the clothing styles that were embraced. Accessories were also prominent. While women wore a lot of jewelry, the men weren't left far behind, wearing as many accessories themselves. Heavy earrings, long chains, and belts made of metal chains were a huge part of the look.
Over time the clothes for these dancers, though as baggy as before became a little less accessorized, due to fear of injuries. Metallic chains and belts were replaced by bandannas, caps, and tattoos. Baseball caps were worn by both men and women. These clothes were more or less of the unisex variety with minimal design differences. Costumes for the dancers of today are not much different from the costumes of the earlier era. The look is all about wearing loose, baggy clothing, and oversized shirts or t-shirts with good dance shoes that provide ample support for all the stunts that are an integral part of this dance style. The difference arises when you compare the clothes with what was worn by the fairer sex earlier.
Today the look for women is much softer than the original tomboy look. The costumes for them are much more feminine now. While most women dancers still prefer wearing pants, the design is more fitted now. A lot of women opt to wear skirts with leggings and boots. Sensual dressing has also become quite prominent in the music videos of this dance form. Women can even opt for shorts. Tank tops and tube tops are preferred by most women. One of the most important aspect of the clothing for both men and women are the shoes. Most dancers prefer wearing sneakers with a split sole as these shoes are generally flexible and have a good grip, which is important while performing different stunts.
Whether you are buying dance clothes for kids or adults, just remember these patterns, that you can choose from, and attend your dance classes with style and panache.
