Does Music Influence The Way We Dress?

Music has long been a major force in influencing various aspects of daily life, one of the most prevalent being our fashion choices. And we can see this from the concurrent evolution between fashion and music. 

As an example, we saw glam rock and punk rock emerge in the 70s thanks to bands like the Sex Pistols and the Ramones. This changed in the 90s due to an increase in hip-hop music from legends like Tupac, OutKast, and Snoop Dogg.

But you may be thinking: What factors actually caused this change in style? We take a look at how music transforms the way we dress.

Branding and Artist Collaborations

Musicians will often dress in a distinctive way that can raise interest among fans and followers. Many people will look to their favourite artists for inspiration on how to dress. This can result in these celebrities releasing their own clothing line or collaborating with other famous brands.

Take the exclusive ‘Big Bang DJ Snake’ creation, a collaboration between luxury Swiss watchmaker Hublot and the most streamed French artist in the world, DJ Snake. The ‘Turn Down for What’ music producer helped craft the watch to match his personality, allowing fans to express themselves and feel closer to their favourite artist.

Other celebrities at the forefront of setting up successful fashion lines include Kanye West and Rihanna. Both are incredibly popular in their industries, showcasing just how influential music can be on fashion.

Generality in Music and Fashion

Fans of certain genres tend to get banded into distinct groups when it comes to fashion. This is because there are typically stylistic correlations between the music we listen to and the types of clothing we prefer to wear. This generalisation isn’t followed by all fans but is often deemed the most suitable, facilitating a deeper connection to the genre. 

Case in point, fans of rock and heavy metal music will generally wear leather jackets, shoes, and even trousers – as what other clothing can express the raw and energetic feeling that comes from this music? You’ll notice that the trademark colour for the genre is black and may even include gory prints.

In more recent years, EDM and electronic music have begun to dominate the industry. Due to being heavily influenced by trance and techno sounds, clothing at events typically consists of reflective materials, bright neon colours, and body art. It’s even led to a resurgence in vintage windbreaker jackets, a staple item from the 90s.

Ability to Break The Norm

Our ability to be fluid in our fashion can be attributed to musicians like David Bowie and Prince. These icons played a crucial role in challenging societal beliefs surrounding gender, sexuality, and fashion, blurring the lines to create their own androgynous manifestation.

Their flamboyant costumes and personalities have paved the way for communities to now feel more comfortable dressing the way they choose to. Look at current artists such as Harry Styles, Lil Nas X, and Måneskin, all of whom have these superstars to thank for their eccentricity.

We’ve also seen more fashion brands launching clothing lines that cater to all individuals, regardless of gender and sexuality. One of the biggest launches was by fast-fashion and cosmetic retailer ASOS. Their collusion line has been well-received, offering fast-paced, youth-oriented fashion trends that promote experimentation and inclusivity.