Music and fashion are two artistic outlets that always seem to go together. They are used to make statements on political ideologies, art, individuality and societal issues. Fashion continues to influence music in the same way that music influences fashion – it’s a symbiotic relationship. People often dress according to the genre of music they listen to. Musicians are the catalyst of this relationship, as the moment an artist is spotted in a unique fashion style, it is turned into a trend by the media and then to the general public.
This relationship is nothing new, it dates back decades and even centuries. It’s a timeless connection where both benefit from the other. Let’s go down memory lane and look through a few ways music and fashion have inspired each other over the years:
Jazz in the 20s – Jazz was a symbol of rebellion in the 20s. It may seem like jazz is a tame genre of music but back then it was considered scandalous and reserved specifically for nightclubs and speakeasies. Women in jazz were known to challenge the roles of women by wearing loose clothes and short dresses without a bra.
Rock and Roll in the 50s – Although the roaring 20s had fashion that catered to the younger generation, many fashion houses still catered to adults. Once TV, movies and music became more popular among the public, everything started to change. Teens started wanting clothes that looked like the ones their favorite music artists wore. A lot of clothing brands decided to cater to younger generations and that catapulted the teenage fashion industry.
Hippie Music in the 60s – A reaction to the Vietnam war’s draft, a music and fashion revolution was starting to evolve. Artists such as ‘The Beatles’, ‘The Rolling Stones’ and Jimi Hendrix were writing and performing music that related to the political unrest at the time. The public began to adopt more liberal ideologies when it comes to politics, music and fashion.
Funk & Punk in the 70s – Funk & Punk was known for it’s aggressive music, catchy and flashy lyrics, and unique fashion style. Funk was not just a style; it became a movement that encouraged individuality and freedom. It was a revolt against the status quo. Punk was defined by bright hair, handmade items, chains and anything that made them stand out.
Glam Rock in the 70s – The seventies was the start of big media productions like Star Wars. As one of the first movies to use special effects, it’s no wonder the artists of the decade were inspired by sci-fi. David Bowie and KISS were known for their theatrics and sci-fi storylines during their performances.
Goth in the 80s – Goth music was originally death rock, a dark and gloomy genre. Goth inspired fashion that consisted of black hair, black clothes and black lipstick.
R&B and Hip-Hop in the 90s – Musicians like Tupac and Janet Jackson were symbols of the decade. The music was filled with angst and love and the fashion was filled with lots of color and ripped and baggy jeans.
Music and fashion influencing each other is a cycle that lives with us in the 2020s and will continue for centuries to come……one of the many reasons fashion will always be special to musicians.
All the best,
Ejshani
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