So yesterday I was scrolling through old hip-hop videos and BOOM – LL Cool J popped up in his 1985 red tracksuit and crazy chains. Got me thinking: could we wear that stuff today without looking like time travelers?
Digging Through My Closet First
Dragged my dusty storage bins out first thing. Found actual 80s pieces my uncle gave me: A Raiders snapback that smelled like mothballs, these giant basketball shorts that reached my ankles, and a Chicago Bulls sweatshirt with sleeves so thick you could sweat in Antarctica.
Hitting Modern Stores
Took my ancient gear to three fast fashion spots downtown. Walked past racks of their “hip-hop” section – all cropped hoodies, slim-fit ripped jeans, and tiny chrome pendants. Everything thin and stretchy like workout clothes. Grabbed:
- One thin cross-body bag instead of chains
- Ripped light-wash skinny jeans
- Plain black oversized tee with no graphics
- Some mini-hoop earrings (never saw LL wearing those!)
The Awkward Fitting Room Test
Busted out my camera right there in the store changing room. First tried LL’s full classic combo: huge Raiders hat, baggy sweatshirt, giant gold chain replica.
Problem: Looked like a Halloween costume. Hat covered half my face. Sweatshirt swallowed me. Sales guy knocked asking if I needed medical help.
Then mixed modern ripped jeans with that vintage Bulls sweatshirt. Still felt heavy and wrong – like I raided my dad’s gym bag.
Finally threw everything modern together: cropped hoodie, skinny jeans, micro chain. Felt naked without layers! Saw teenagers avoiding this stuff completely.
Biggest Differences I Felt
- Weight: Modern clothes feel like tissue paper compared to thick 80s cotton
- Space: Today’s “oversized” is 80s “fitted”. That Bulls sweatshirt fit like a sleeping bag.
- Bling: Saw kids wearing pinky-ring sized pendants. LL wore windshield-sized chains that clanked when he walked.
- Color: Modern stuff all gray/beige/black. My uncle’s gear was traffic-cone orange.
So What’s Missing Today?
Tried putting that Raiders hat on backwards like modern folks do. Hilarious disaster. Thing’s so huge it slid down over my nose. Realized: we’ve kept hip-hop comfort but stripped the fun. Where’s the bright colors? The playfulness? Today’s style feels scared to stand out. Saw one kid in a bucket hat yesterday – looked cool actually. Maybe tiny steps?
Honestly? Went home and wore that stinky Bulls sweatshirt all night. Heavy as hell but dang it felt real. Might start hunting thrift stores tomorrow.
