Blippin' Hood

In the last couple years, editorialists have been writing about how many "hipster tendencies" have crossed over to hip-hop/rap culture. Most of this articles are about the changing culture of black youth. However, I think this relates more to the converging of music genres than race.
This is why I classify black kids that intentionally "cross" cultural barriers as either
'blipsters' or 'hood hipster'.

BLIPSTERS
Blipster is simply a portmanteau word of 'black' and 'hipster'. The term was popularized by a New York Time article called 'Truly Indie Fans'. The article is about black skateboarders and the struggles to find friends who are into rock music (indie, hardcore, electro) in the African-American community. This term has struck a nerve with open minded people who prefer not to identify music fans by their race. Hipster is a term that has been used to classify a certain subculture for decades and it was primarily used for white young people who immersed themselves in the black jazz culture. Nowadays the term hipster isn't related to jazz music and even though it is usually associated with white people, it can be easily be used for any person of any race that falls into certain criteria. If a person feels like they need to classify people, I think it would be better to simply call someone a hipster, than to create racial subgroups. However, if it is used humorously, I think there is no problem to use the term 'blipster'. Just like any other ethnic group, the black experience adds nuances to the hipster subculture like the types of hair styles possible (dreds, flattops, shaved designs), the integration of soul or hip-hop to electro music, and personal styles inspired from traditional African cultures. Due to the racial divide that still exists in America, the blipster in the crowd is no different from the traditional token black kid, however the term "blipster" also shows that they are not an outsider but just different due to their ethnic background.





HOOD HIPSTERS
I will not go as far as saying I coined the term, but I have been known to call guys and girls 'Hood Hipsters' when they are mainly rap consumers, but have recently decided to add superficial aspects of hipster/indie culture into their look. For example tight colored jeans (guys and girls), large glasses and retro jackets. They usually idolize artists like Kanye, Pharrell and Kid Cudi because they are the most unique hip-hop artists. However, Hood Hipster lack the invested knowledge of music like the aforementioned rappers. Nowadays it seems like everyone is a fan of Coldplay, Nirvana, Radiohead, Panic! At The Disco, Fall Out Boy and Daft Punk. A good mainstream example of the Hood Hipster is Lil Wayne. Recently Lil Wayne has began worn tighter jeans, claimed an appreciation for rock music and pieced his lip. Other Hood Hipsters are members of the Southern California jerk movement and kids who flocked to Hot Topic to buy band tee just because of the design. The Hood Hipster also tends to include a flat brimmed fitted cap, bright shoes like Dunks and an original backpack that can hold anything from school books, a camera, to air. Despite my general tone, I prefer to see a young person express their individuality through fashion, than follow current trends that revolve around clothing in exaggerated sizes and emblazoned logos. Youth is the only time you are encouraged to physically show your uniqueness and I rather see it as a blueprinted trend than to see young people associated with criminals based solely on attire.

via Vice Magazine's DOs and DON'T

DJ Speedy decided to call it 'Gangster Nerd' and his song explains my point

via Gangsta Nizzerd Blog

Style vs. Fashion

15 Signs You Are Fashionable

This applies more specifically to males than females, but these signs can be applied to both sexes.

1. You know the names of the image consultants of popular icons.
Everyone knows of Kanye West, Pharrell and Lady Gaga, but it is also important to know about Ibn Jasper, Don C, Nigo, Rebecca Weinberg, Marcus Troy, Rachel Zoe, Brea Stinson and Patricia Field.

2. You follow the seasonal collections of designers
Anyone can name drop Billionaire's Boys Club or Louis Vuitton, but you really know about fashion if you are able to remotely keep up with seasons of Jeremy Scott, Alexander McQueen, Marc Jacobs, Gareth Pugh, Moschino, Hernik Bibskov and Bernard Willhelm. With that knowledge you will have the capability to determine the next trends for the mainstream.

3. You understand the time to be monochromatic and the times not to match.
Accent colors like red, gold and pink are good ways to add edge to you outfit as well as mixing prints and textures.

4. Button ups are fastened all the way up. (without a tie)
Many people chose not to button their top button unless they plan on wearing a tie, because in America it has had a history of apparently appearing stuffy and geeky. As many other tendencies, this "new" buttoned up look was influenced by the Japanese and it is clearly known to be popular in Europe and America to anyone who even occasionally peruses lookbook.nu or The Satorialist. It makes plaid shirts more interesting and it no longer reminiscent of the popular gangster wardrobe.

5. Pants are fitted
A guy in Cheap Mondays, Nudie, or April 77 jeans cares more about a cleaner appearance. The collections high fashion designers are creating are predominately slim leg trousers.

6. Designer hi-tops
Anyone can buy a pair of dunks or Jordans from Footlocker, but people who truly care about shoes wear Jaspers, Lanvin, Diet Butcher Slim Skin, Raf Simons, Martin Margiela, or Alessandro DellAcqua. A nice pair of shoes will definitely be pricey, but it will harmonize with a casual as well as a polished occasions. They are more likely to use different textures, colors and materials that show a greater range than athletic brands. However, those who can't afford those shoes, also look to brands like Supra, Alife, and retro designs.

7. Shorts fall above the knee
I know Micheal Jordan changed the way shorts are worn, but this is about style not athletic ability. Taz Arnold said, "A guy won’t wear shorts above his knees because he’s scared of what people think. Like who the fuck dresses for other people? Why are you spending all this money so that you can look like somebody else?"

8. You understand the importance of cardigans, scarfs, brooches, and alternative forms of ties.
Dee & Ricky popularized the Lego brooch for a younger generation. I suspect in the next few years, more designers will stick their foot in the pin game and vintage brooches will be worn more often. Also scarfs and cardigans added splashes of color to outfits. Lastly a bow tie or skinny tie is classic, but a ribbon/bow or an ascot is ten times better.

9. You read international magazines from the culture or fashion section of Borders and Barnes & Noble that contain high quality photography and a rather high price tag.
Magazines like Vogue and Nylon are classics, but a person will also learn about culture and cutting edge fashion from magazines like WAD and I-D.

10. Fitted hats are not only from sport teams.
New Eras from sports teams in different colorways are nice, but brands like Frank 151, HUF, Mishka, Original Fake, Kidrobot, and Alife have more to offer when it comes to unique designs above and below the bill.

11. They cuff/roll up their pants
The days where stylish pants are baggy or even crinkly at the base of the shoes are over. To create a cleaner look, it is preferred to cuff pants at the bottom, or to be more adventurous and roll them to your desired height. It is not longer considered 'flooding' and people are finally following Micheal Jackson's lead. This allows for accents to be created by your socks and it draws more attention to your shoes.

12. They treat their hair like molding clay.
All ethnic backgrounds have the potential to create different textures, shapes, designs and colors to their hair. Hair can be manipulated just like clothing like in styles ranging from steps to the pompadour to the flattop to the punk rock mohawk. Recently certain haircuts have become so ubiquitous that people belief they can automatically become stylish if they have it, however doing that shows your unoriginality.

13. They understand the relationship between music and fashion
It is undeniable that music and fashion is related. Trends from a music genre can influence a mainstream trend, but it shows a lack of understanding if one completely mimics the wardrobe of a subculture if they are not remotely immersed in it.

14. They thrift shop.
Style is different than fashion. It is not all about buying designers and brands, but also about making your own decision about what is stylish and classic. As it is commonly said, fashion repeats itself so it is smart to reap the benefits of what someone threw away. Vintage or thrift shops vary about the quality of the clothing and the target market. It is best to shop at places that fits your budget and ensures that you will find the types of gems you are most interested in finding. Many brands focus on graphic tees nowadays and it is interesting to see the interesting designs and patterns that were used for mundane things and with low quality production from past decades. It is great to think of an archaic trend and dissect it to know why it now considered unfashionable and wear it despite popular belief or manipulate it to current standards.

15. They understand the unisex aspects of style.
For one to be truly creative with clothing, they cannot limit the potential of their gender. Color, texture, and fit should not be determined by your chromosomes. It is definitely not suggested to emulate the other sex, but to understand the trends they possess and adopt it to your lifestyle.