The Melody of Personal Style: How the Way We Dress Denotes What We Listen To

By Maddie Juarez

Personal style is a commodity that has only been celebrated by the elite until fairly recently in the eye of history. For the western world, that unique divergence between practicality and personal style came to be somewhere between the first and second World Wars, when common people finally began to have the time, money, and resources for leisure. When the radio became an easy commodity to get a hold of, it revolutionized the way that people got their influence, making it national and global instead of local. While radio shows were favorites for entertainment, music was now accessible nearly all the time. A popular culture around music emerged on a massive scale for the first time. Over the next 50 years, music influenced popular culture, creating very specific subcultures and influencing styles. Modernly, it is hard to put together an outfit without seeing some element of music in it, as the two are synonymous even in the subconscious. Whether you slip on a pair of low-rise jeans and think of pop stars like Christina Aguilera or tease your hair and feel like Madonna, music, style, and time periods work in tandem to create identity. 

As music became more prevalent, the genres veered further from each other in their stylistic presentation. Through the 60s, opposites were all the rage with mods and punks becoming the most fashionable despite their completely opposite nature. Into the 70s with hippies, the dichotomy between a put-together tailored look and a free natural, sometimes “dirty” continued. It was in the 80s that major fashion trends could be categorized endlessly, and were splintered to the point of almost representing individual artists. Artists became icons, not only marketing their music but themselves as figureheads of pop culture moving forward. This idea has continued. Contemporarily, the amount of personal style influences even just within music is enumerable, but styles influenced by music are still very obvious. 

Punk style has consistent elements of dark colors, heavy makeup, and distressed clothing. Here, models Shallom Omotayo and Robby Wong are styled with a punk influence. Shallom’s heavy leather jacket and plaid skirt are items that have been worn in punk culture for over 50 years. Though their original purposes were more practical, this workwear influenced subculture made those practical pieces fashion. Large boots were worn by original punks because they were work boots, representing their working class culture.

Both of the models are wearing ensembles that would be considered suitable for any gender, as the punk look also focuses on androgyny and personal expression first and foremost. The prop used in the photoshoot, a guitar, is also relevant to the type of music, which is heavily lead by guitar and vocals. As a genre that has stood the test of time, modern renditions of punk-influenced style can change main elements based off of what era of punk the person is fond of. 

Photo by Sun Jae Lee (@sunjae.leee)

Hip hop is another genre that has stood the test of time over the past 30 years, gaining more popularity recently. Hip hop music often inspires a more baggy, masculine silhouette, and sportswear. Once again inspired by working class ideas, work boots like Timberlands are popular in this style. The late 80s and 90s were the rise of this look into popular culture with artists like Tupac, A Tribe Called Quest, and Snoop Dogg. This genre has beginnings in multiethnic inner-city enclaves, meaning that the majority of the artists are people of color. This idea continues today with the style’s transformation by rappers like Tyler the Creator, who ushered in a style that is nearly the opposite of its roots in 90s hip hop. Tyler introduced a polished look clad with oxfords and sweaters that is very recognizable when recreated by fans. Despite the dichotomy of this genre, the two styles are iconic to the genre. 

“Hip hop music often inspires a more baggy, masculine silhouette, and sportswear.”

Photo by Erika Pesca (@intentionallyunintellectual)

Pop is the hardest genre to pin down in personal style. The most popular genre, there are many pop artists who also fit into another. Pop music is just that, popular. That being said, individual artist are strongly emulated much of the time. Here, Shallom is wearing a boa, which in 2022 is known as an iconic symbol of Harry Styles. At a different time the boa could be known as a symbol for Elton John. The most important thing that a pop artist can do for themselves is create a personal brand for themselves and their music. Their influence on fashion is crucial in that brand. Though there was an ‘iconic’ pop star look in the early 2000’s, they were trend setters for everyone, not just those who listen to their music. This trend continues. 

Photo by Erika Pesca (@intentionallyunintellectual)

Though style is something that is often collected rather than decided, The music you listen to can’t help but influence your style, just as it can’t help but influence who your idols are or the friends you hang out with. Nearly everyone regularly listens to music. What kind you listen to is up to you, but be careful because it might change your clothes. 

Styling by Josh Kirshner (@menaceofla) and Casey Nguyen