Music

10 mega-sized music fashions

by Mark Teo

November 1, 2013

From the late Lou Reed to Lady Gaga, the music world’s seen no shortage of larger-than-life personalities—and larger-than-life fashion trends. Here, inspired by Samsung’s majestically huge phone, the Galaxy Mega, are 11 of our favourites. If we missed out on anything, let us know in the comments!

The clock

Photo: Rapgenius.com

What it is: In the rap world, there’s no shortage of bizarre bling—RiFF RAFF is being weighed down by a gold-plated Bart Simpson pendant, Ghostface adorns himself with a Channing Tatum-style golden eagle, and Lil Wayne famously rocks a pair of bejeweled hi tops. Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav, however, might have hip-hop’s most audacious adornment—a giant, oversized clock necklace that keeps on getting bigger.

As seen on: Flavor Flav, though Chuck D wore on for a time. Reportedly, as PE’s hype man, he used the clock to remind people “what time it was.”

The phat pant

Photo: Wikipedia.org

What it is: The phat pant is largely remembered for its place in late-‘90s teen culture, when it exploded from the rave scene into the nu metal scene. To this day, we have no idea why Korn fans loved Easter-coloured JNCOs (or pierced, inverted visors, for that matter), but we’ll give credit where credit is due: The Melbourne Shuffle would be nothing without a billowy set of parachute pants.

As seen in: The late ‘90s, puzzling parts of suburbia, the costumes of WWE wresters from the mid aughts, Stitches bargain bins, and Slaves on Dope shows.

The platform shoe

Photo: Gagadaily.com

What it is: At its core, a shoe meant to elevate your stature. But oh, how the humble platform’s grown. In the last 20 years, the heel’s grown from the humble Spice Girls wedge to foot-high Lady Gaga spikes. Check out 10 of her most absurd platforms here—and we’re only expecting those heels to get bigger (and more bejeweled).

As seen on: Glam rockers, Elton John, the Spice Girls, and, of course, Lady Gaga.

The Hammer pant

Photo: Alivemag.com

What it is: The highly refined progenitor of the Phat Pant. Unlike the garish JNCO—whose legs opened up to over 50 freakin’ inches—the Hammer Pant is a modern interpretation of the harem pant, which is commonly used in belly dancing. Tapering at the waist and the leg with a drooping crotch, the silken Hammer Pant was named after M.C. Hammer, who used them in the video for the untouchable “U Can’t Touch This.”

As seen in: Early ‘90s hip hop—it wasn’t only restricted to the Hammerman. And if the resurgence of vintage streetwear continues, it’s only a matter of time before we see some youngbloods strapping on a pair. And hey, Justin Bieber’s already started wearing ‘em.

The Ludacris afro

Photo: Ludacris.net

What it is: The notoriously giant hairstyle that Christopher Bridges opened his career with. And while Luda’s know for a host of refined ‘dos, his giant afro got so out of control, he even parodied it in “Stand Up,” a video so legendary, it had one Yahoo Answers describing it as the song where he “has afro looking pigtales [sic] and pees on some lady … or something.”

As seen on: Well, the afro’s touched countless musical styles—but few have outduelled Luda’s in term of its sheer voluminous presence.

The p0nx vest

Photo: Lilwaynehq.com

What it is: Typically, an overloaded leather or denim vest adorned with patches from punk bands. While originally conceived as punk-rock D.I.Y. projects, the iconic patch-and-pin adorned vests have moved into the realm of hip-hop: Chris Brown wore a jacket painted with the Exploited logo; Lil Wayne’s was emblazoned by Virus and Anti-Cimex patches; and Macklemore’s black denim vest, dotted with Flux of Pink Indians and The Mob patches, was handcrafted by Penny Rimbaud. OK, we were lying about that last bit.

As seen on: Hardcore kids, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown.

The glam perm

What it is: A list glorifying musical excesses wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the ‘80s, a decade dominated by big everything. And while the era is adored for its shredded solos, paintgun-blast makeup, and spandex bodysuits, the music of the ‘80s is mostly remembered for one thing: The hair. Large, crimped, primped, permed and loaded with hairspray, the ‘dos sported by Ratt, Asia, and Cinderella would eventually blast out of the glam zone and into pop culture’s broader consciousness.

As seen on: Now, it’s mostly seen on Halloween or ‘80s nights. Historically, though, it’s hard to argue with Poison, Warrant, and Vixen.