Hip Hop Dance Clothes

My first ever hip hop dance class, and the first thing that the instructor told us was 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 hip hop 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 hip hop 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 if you are a hip hop dancer.

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 clothes are primarily made of clothes that people would normally wear. So over-sized pants and 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 hip hop as wear 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, belts made of metal chains were a huge part of the look for a hip hop dancer.

Over time the clothes for hip hop dancers, though as baggy as before became a little less accessorized, due to fears 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. Dance costumes for hip hop dancers today are not much different from the costumes of earlier era. The look is all about wearing loose, baggy clothing and over sized hip hop dance 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. Hip hop dance costumes for women is much more feminine now. While most women dancers still prefer wearing pants, the design is more fitted now. A lot of women also opt to wear skirts with leggings and boots. Sensual dressing has also become quite prominent in music videos for hip hop songs. Women can also opt to wear hip hop dance shorts. If someone is talking about hip hop dance tops, do not be confused. Most women dancers wear tank tops and tube tops while doing this dance. 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 hip hop dance classes with style and panache.