Do-It-Yourself Hip-Hop Costume

You can make a hip-hop costume for Halloween.

Hip-hop style emerged on the scene in the 1980s and never faded in popularity. Many youth emulate the dress of hip-hop personalities shown in the media with distinctive hats, baggy clothes, brand names and large jewelry. Creating a hip-hop costume, whether it's for Halloween, a dance or other gatherings, is easy once you understand the basics of hip-hop dress and style.

Things You'll Need

• Large sweatshirt
• Baggy jeans
• Jewelry
• Sneakers
• Tight jeans
• Tight shirt
• Press-on nails

Instructions

Guys

1. Pull on a hooded sweatshirt. Make sure the sweatshirt is two sizes larger than your normal size. A large clothing-brand or sports logo on the front helps give the look more authenticity.

2. Put on denim jeans that sag below your hips. Use a belt to hold the pants up well enough so you can walk, but make sure they are obviously too large for you.

3. Tie a bandanna on your head. Knot it in the back, low on the scalp and fold it over to form a band on the brow. If you don't have a bandanna, wear a hat. Wear it with the bill in front, but slanted to the side. As with the sweatshirt, wear a hat with a logo emblazoned on the front.

4. Wear brand-name sneakers. Finish the costume with large, gold-colored necklaces and rings. Use necklaces that hang down the outside of the sweatshirt and include large pendants. Wear rings with words or other large decorations on them.

Girls

1. Put on low-rise jeans that fall just below your hip line. The jeans will be tight around the buttocks and upper thighs. According to AMillionLives.net, women's hip-hop fashion accentuates the hips.

2. Wear a top that hugs the hips and falls either above or on the hip line. Remember, the idea is to draw the eye to the hips. A solid-colored top works best for a hip-hop outfit. The hip-hop women's shirt fabric should be a polyester stretch blend, according to AMillionLives.net.

3. Apply fake nails if you do not currently have a manicured hand. Don't overdo the mascara and eyeliner; hip-hop makeup on the face is not excessive.

4. Wear brand-name sneakers or shoes. Add chunky, brightly colored jewelry at the neck, wrists and ears. The earrings should be a large hoop style. Pull your hair into a ponytail low at the neck; hats and bandannas aren’t usually part of women’s hip-hop attire.

References

• 102 Jamz Orlando: 10 Hip Hop Inspired Halloween Costumes
• AMillionLives.net: Hip Hop Costumes