R.A.G. New York

The meaning of what being in-style meant has changed over the years, continually breaking barriers and crossing new lines. Or taking a step or two back. Styles are re-visited, remixed and recycled to create new ones. Every time, a movement is born and another is phased out.

Here is a summary of what has happened in men’s New York clothing trends over the past 60 years.

In 1950, we have 2 extremes, the tidy and the dirty. One young man may be dressed in very formal attire:

Or be playing ball on the street in jeans and white t-shirt:

Then came the 60’s and the revolt from this:

Resulted in this:

The ideas was that you should wear whatever you want as long as you don’t look like everybody else. Which is exactly what happened. Hippies started their own look and many joined in and so started “looking like a hippie.” This involved leather, tie dyed t-shirts, beads, jeans, bell-bottoms, and much else.

1980’s New York clothing was a reflection of much of what was going on during those days. The graffiti “epidemic” was in strong at the time as could be seen on New York City subway cars, and Blondie was popular.

This meant that fashion was an eclectic mix of drab and eccentricity. Subtle, yet ridiculous.

Then came hip-hop and the influences that it brought with it. Baggy jeans galore.
(source: NY Times)

And here we are wearing plaid shorts in the 2000’s.