Music and fashion are inseparable. This relationship is an interesting area of study because what you are listening to right now can influence what you wear every day. On the other hand, music festivals have people flocking to their favourite artists while wearing discreet clothing. Someone who wears a Nirvana shirt could be a fan of the band or simply love the design of the shirt.
Nonetheless, some fashion icons are artists who entertain fans with their music and their aesthetic. As more people accepted their personal style, it became a trend that could last for generations to come, as this article shows.
Popular Music Genres and Their Fashion Stereotypes
Online statistics portal Statista recounts that global consumers spend approximately 18 hours per week listening or streaming music. Sources from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) revealed that the majority of They surveyed 19,000 people from 18 countries listening to pop music. Rap, house, classical, R&B and metal are also on the list of the most popular genres.
If you follow the list and follow the line of reasoning that music influences fashion, how do fans of these styles of music dress or express themselves?
Pop
The setting for bubblegum pop lovers mirrors the genre’s big names. Currently at the top is Ariana Grande, who is all the time snug in over-the-knee boots, oversized sweaters or hoodies, and her trademark ponytail. Shawn Mendes’ Canadian counterpart who looks better than Justin Bieber loves patterned shirts, tight jeans, and curly hair straight out of the 90s. The *NSYNC and Britney Spears era was a league unto itself.
punks
Adherents of this subculture are easy to spot in leather jackets, black combat boots, skinny jeans and Chuck Taylors. Accessories range from spiked collars and studded belts to pins and ribbon buttons that adorn the collars. Enthusiasts also depend on the durability of denim jackets for outerwear, according to GQ.com. Interestingly, certain punks view themselves as antifashion.
Reggae
This style of music is strongly related to Rastafarianism, a religion and social movement in Jamaica. Bob Marley is a prominent musician to emerge from the fold of Rasta-inspired reggae. Her face is plastered on a reggae-inspired outfit.
Green, gold and red, which were the official colours of the Ethiopian flag during the reign of Haile Selassie, are also dominant in designer interpretation of genres and movements. Don’t forget the rasta hat, or tam, worn over the dreadlocks.
Rap
The genre is usually equated with hip-hop, encompassing a broad but distinct musical talent, fashion sense, and cultural revolution. Documentation Dress Fresh look into baggy jeans, luxury brands, and much of bling that are part of the look. Run-DMC is among the biggest names in hip-hop and is credited with integrating Adidas into the urban fashion scene.
It’s the Artist, Not the Music
Sometimes, the type of genre plays a secondary role to the artist’s style which is imitated by thousands or millions. You could call it unconventional, counterculture, or charismatic, but these musicians certainly have what it takes to be fashionable.
Famous examples of rock stars who became style icons include the following:
- Elvis Presley. That king from rock and roll, he defied the conservative dress styles of his mid-’50s to mid-’60s era. He delivers leather biker jackets, popped collars, and double denim, or wears denim jackets and jeans.
- Jim Hendrix. The renowned guitarist who also sings and writes this song is a vital figure in the world of rock and roll. Her style is colourful and luxurious with velvet vests, silk shirts, striped pants, scarves, embellished jackets and much of jewellery. She was a prominent figure in the Flower Power movement, which somewhat mirrored her bohemian, psychedelic and technicolor way of dressing.
- Kurt Cobain. Fast forward to the 90s, and it was the Nirvana frontman who wore pajamas to a marriage formal. Cobain’s staples included ripped jeans, oversized sweaters, band tees, flannel shirts, cardigans, and Chucks. His performance has set a precedent for a new generation of rock stars and their fans.
What You Hear Is What You Wear
It is a fact of life that your preferences in music change throughout life. Challenges were one of the precursors to this shift as University of Cambridge research has found.
Whether you have dressed according to your idol’s aesthetic or your preferred music genre, moving beyond this phase can follow a certain degree of tidying up the wardrobe. You can ditch dark clothes in favor of softer or lighter colours. These luxury items and accessories may do better with new or younger owners who can appreciate them more.
Trying to sell your goods online. Leather jackets, distressed jeans and floral shirts will all the time have a market irrespective of changing tastes and music trends.
