The Next Big Bling

Lately I've been wondering what an Obama White House might mean for the future of bling. For the fate of heavy gold, medallions, below-the-butt denim, the whole hip-hop gangsta fashion habit. What if January 20, 2009 turned out to be not just a cultural and clothing pivot point for adults -- a return to the minimalism of sleek, 60s-era sharkskin suits, the containment of golf-ball sized Barbara Bush costume pearls -- but a watershed fashion moment for teenaged boys? Picture it. On Inauguration Day next year, thousands and thousands of young men and boys from city street corners to suburbs, look up from their X-Boxes and catch a glimpse of the impeccable President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama climbing the steps of the Capitol and suddenly feel... unfashionable. Out of it. Old. What if they are overcome by the same stunned, something's-happening-here feeling that teenagers in the early 60s, their closets full of sock hop regalia, felt when they first laid eyes on The Beatles in 1964, on the nationally televised Ed Sullivan Show. For adults, this kind of moment is, at most, something to take note of. To a teenager, it's a gale force warning of imminent social tsunami, an urgent prod from the eyeballs and the amygdala that to everything there is a season, and now is the time to change, change, change. Ask not what you can do for your closet, but what your closet, if ignored, can do to you.

This week in the nation's capital, Washington Post's Metro columnist Courtland Milloy wrote about the street scene in the mostly African-American, inner-city neighborhood of Trinidad, where D.C. police have set up a Balkans-style traffic checkpoints in and out of the neighborhood in an effort to stem a recent spate of drug related murders. Sitting on the front porch of 67-year-old Willie Dorn, a retired corrections officer, Milloy noted the antics of a group of teenaged boys "shirtless, pants below their behinds," who, as Milloy and Dorn watched, launched a plastic bottle at a passing scooter, nearly causing an accident. "Maybe a President Obama could help restore some pride in the black community," Dorn said.

The relationship of clothing to behavior is real. Clothes may not "make the man," but they shape the mind in ways large and small. Ask any stay-at-home parent, freelance writer or invalid who has spent one too many days in baggy sweats and stained T-shirts and begins to notice (in a semi-alarmed, detached sort of way, of course) a dwindling of discipline and energy. The well-known Rx for this condition is a shower and a change into grown-up clothes, the kind with seams that may pinch the body, but can help focus the head.

Until Barack Obama came along, the most visible pop culture exemplar of 1960s suit-and-tie style was the tightly-wound Rev. Louis Farrakhan. But Farrakhan, for all his former high visibility, was never mainstream. It's no surprise that he failed to inspire a national craze for slim suits and buffed oxfords.

Barack Obama is different. Barack Obama is the suit next time.

Comments

[ajax2]

"Lately I've been wondering what an Obama White House might mean for the future of bling. For the fate of heavy gold, medallions, below-the-butt denim, the whole hip-hop gangsta fashion habit."
Why would someone paint Obama in this picture, race?

"Milloy noted the antics of a group of teenaged boys "shirtless, pants below their behinds," who, as Milloy and Dorn watched, launched a plastic bottle at a passing scooter, nearly causing an accident. "Maybe a President Obama could help restore some pride in the black community," Dorn said."
Why would a President Obama be a cause or cure for this?

"Until Barack Obama came along, the most visible pop culture exemplar of 1960s suit-and-tie style was the tightly-wound Rev. Louis Farrakhan. But Farrakhan, for all his former high visibility, was never mainstream. It's no surprise that he failed to inspire a national craze for slim suits and buffed oxfords."
Farrakhan was never the 'most visible pop culture....' and this reference to Farrakhan gives the author away.

[Liberoservative]

I am not sure what it is giving away... but Barack dresses as most people in business dress... and that is for success... it can be argued that the Europeans have dictated how a fairly conservative politician will dress... and I find that ludicrous... Men's fashion is pretty stale if you really look at it... they wear suits and ties and it hasn't changed much in a very long time.... at least he wears nice suits and sweet ties... and he doesn't have cuff links... so he can roll up his sleeves when it get hot....

As for restoring pride in the Black community..l and in ANY community for that matter, except those radical far right white supremacist people.... whose closed minds I have already written off to ever reach... He has done that... He is a transcendental candidate and America has seen that.... He WILL be the next president of the United States.. . and we will finally begin our road to recovery as the leader of the free world.... that last best hope of the free world.... Yes We Can... and Yes We Will

[PioneerKing]

MARY:

You have to get out more. You stated that "...Until Barack Obama came along; the most visible pop culture exemplar of 1960s suit-and-tie style was the tightly-wound Rev. Louis Farrakhan. But Farrakhan, for all his former high visibility, was never mainstream. It's no surprise that he failed to inspire a national craze for slim suits and buffed oxfords."
This is far from true and simply plays into the baseless disparaging stereotypes of African-American males.
African-American males are no more a monolith than any other ethnic group.

[donkat]

What, exactly is this woman trying to say? There seems to be a relationship between skirt length and the state of the economy - traditionally skirts get shorter as the economy gets worse. Personally, I think Barack and Michelle will bring some style back to Washington - and that's not a bad thing.

[j.gold]

Kids wear that crap because it is consider rebellious and upsets people like most on this blog. Once it is seen as un-rebellious then kids will move on. When people who hate it so much except it and don't care anymore it will go away. So all of you that hate it start telling the kids how nice they look in it and see what happens! This is what my father does and it is hilarious!

[lonesomejames]

While I do agree that there are problems with certain aspects of th hip hop culture, I have to disagree with the assumption that one man, even the great Barack Obama can fix it. I am the product of the inner city. And at 27 I am still apart of th culture. But as I mature I have shed some of the stereotypes that she masterfully pointed out. That usually is normal transition from teen to adult, is it not. But why is the focus always on inner city black kids "there are alot of white kids who dress that way also" ? hat about the Goths and the Emos don't they also dress differently. I am sure when some of you where coming up, in the long hair, marijuana smoking, free love 60's. And the bellbottom, open shirt, Funky Town 70's, the establishment was viewing you the same way. But you turned out OK di'nt you? No matter what generation there will alwys be some past their prime, out of touch, parent complaining about the way kids dress. And that is apart of the reason why they do it. REMEMBER!

[apoyo]

I fail to see the point of your article though it seems to have a racist bent to it.

It may be that Obama wears slim suits because he is a slim man. It could be that he wears simple styles because he is not a pretentious man. He has bigger things on his mind then wondering what he will wear any given day.

I do much admire his choice of ties. Some are very striking though I imagine that's Michelle's style rubbing off on him.

[anamaroopa]

excuse me? you wrote this because he is bi-racial? if he was latino would it be about tacos?

seems racist, sorry

[MLTINLA]

I completely agree. This article is very racist, bigoted and presents a prejudicial stereotype that if one chose to do the research on, they would find that there a many examples that negate this opinion piece.

There were over ten thousand Black students who graduate from Colleges and Universities across the country in all capacities from b.a to doctorate, from histronics to medicine, from and law to the sciences. It seems to me that the "bling" concept like most fads is now reaching epic proportions in non-black cultures. I am not suprised that this commentator is five years behind and to think that other blacks such as Will Smith, Michael Jordan, Samuel Jackson, Denzel Washington, Mos Def, Tiger Woods, have had no effect is just ignorant. Secondly, there are many major black professionals who the media chooses to ignore because they don't have a tv show, play a sport or rap.

Get a clue!!! Senator Barack Obama is just another example of the Black diaspora.

[AxmxZ]

"Histronics"? Did you mean "histirionics"? An odd major... Or is this a portmanteau of "history" and "ebonics"?..

Or maybe you meant "history" but had the mother of all brain farts?

[littlepuffycloud]

Let's face it; Senator and Michelle Obama are both just plain GORGEOUS! Besides being brilliant, these two are incredibly good looking. Does 'hubba hubba' ring a bell?

[leftcoastliberal]

It's true, as many have noted, that the hip hop world has already been abandoning low-slung pants thuggery for dress suits. But these suits are still ostentatious in a way that defies Anglo-Saxon norms of subtlety and self-effacement. Hip hop suits tend towards the mafioso-like, what Edward G. Robinson would wear to a stick-em-up if he were still alive. Barack and Michelle Obama, on the other hand, have a restrained elegance that reminds one of the streamlined, modernist Kennedy era. Obama's suits, in particular, exude a quiet confidence and optimism that makes the flashy Hip Hop suits look like they're trying too hard. I predict that once Obama is sworn in, we'll see teens of all races across America abandoning thuggery and conspicuous consumption for hard work and good deeds. Our kids will dress like updated versions of Rob and Laura Petrie from the old Dick Van Dyke Show - in practical, neat, modern, and tasteful clothing. Teens in tweed. Sensible skirts. But - you know - sharp and sexy. It will be a new Golden Age.

[AxmxZ]

I've read an article a few years ago about sporadic returns to 50s fashions among tween girls. A sort of personal rebellion against the Paris Hilton 'stupid spoiled whore' fashions being marketed towards them. Pearls and long skirts and blouses. At this point in history, it's more retro-fashionable than stodgy. But of course, what Obama wears is sort of timeless - male fashions haven't really changed all that overmuch in the last century. There will probably be a bunch of kids who respond well to the message his clothing sends: being an intelligent adult is more fun and rewarding and cool than being a thug.

[PFHarlock]

We're fighting to drive drug dealing gang members (they're African Americans and Caucasians) from our previously safe, quite neighborhood. Those ridiculous pants they wear are very helpful in identifying them.

[j.gold]

PFHarlock -
They wouldn't be in you neighborhood if there wasn't business there. Maybe the guy next store is a drug fiend! Quick, check his pants!

[PFHarlock]

You aren't familiar with the situation, consequently your response was nonsense.

They're using a neighborhood gas station (and it's gang affiliated employees) as cover for their drug dealing. The "customers" are driving in from other parts of town.

To put an end to the problem, we've been working with the police and I'm talking directly and regularly with the president of the corporation which owns the station. We've made substantial headway, but it's like a cancer. It's not easily defeated. But we're not going to quit until we have our nice quiet neighborhood back.

By the way, despite urban lore regarding the reasons behind the ridiculous pants, there's "practical" reason for them - They make it very easy to conceal a gun. I hadn't thought of that until I saw one of these bastards reach down into the crotch of his pants, pull out a handgun, and fire down the sidewalk at someone who'd , apparently, pissed him off.

I can't tell you how much I wish I didn't know any of this.

[Economike]

Knee length jackets with a velvet cuff, drainpipes and creepers. The only look that will ever matter.

[independent32955]

Wouldn't it be delightful if "bling" died a quick and savage death as a result of Obama being elected president?

If it spawned an entire generation of inner city kids to realize that hard work in school and not on a basketball court was a ticket to a better life?

If it made wayward fathers realize their important role in helping raise the children they fathered?

What if instead of us trying to find a way to "Pimp our President", we as a society held him and ourselves up as an example of what it means to be American?

And to be sure, the first black person to call Barack Obama an "Uncle Tom" ought to get a quick, swift boot in the ass, because there's nothing about BO that is a sellout. He's the product of hardwork, determination and a dream to achieve something many people, if not most, told him was impossible in his life. He probably had a better chance at becoming an NBA all-star than to be in his current position, but he persisted nevertheless (and I've seen his jumpshot, it isn't too pretty ;)

There are NO MORE EXCUSES for black people to feel disenfranchised, Mr. Obama is breaking the barriers in just 40 years, that I am SURE Dr. King knew would be broken, just not this fast. Congratulations to BO for his vision, but most of all for being a good candidate with a good message FIRST, and a black man second!

[Intelligentia]

independent32955,

I see where you're coming from, but you're unwittingly buying into the media propaganda about Blacks. I totally agree that Inner City Blacks should do better, however, you cannot discount the fact that Whites are as irresponsible as those Blacks you refer. For example, do you not think that there are teenage pregnancy in the White community?
You state: "If it spawned an entire generation of inner city kids to realize that hard work in school and not on a basketball court was a ticket to a better life?" What would you say if one were to generalize and ask, because of Hillary Clinton's success: "If it spawned an entire generation of [young White women] to realize that hard work in school and not on a [Strip Club] was a tickte to a better life?"
As you can see, Whites are engaging in irresponsible behaviour asmuch as Blacks; however, the difference is that the White controlled media hide White imperfections while amplifying those of Blacks. Don't be bamboozled!

[AxmxZ]

The remark about Hillary is legit, but the message would be rather muted under the circumstances. And she isn't really a good example of a self-made woman - I can't imagine her getting very far in the race if she had been simply the junior from New York and not Bill Clinton's wife.

[acanthus]

"There are NO MORE EXCUSES for black people to feel disenfranchised,"

What you're actually saying here is that blacks should stop complaining about racism and discrimination, and just take it. Nope, that's not going to happen. Sorry.

[jerkzilla]

"Bling"? What is this, 1998? Next thing you know, there's going tp be a report saying that the kids think that Barak Obama is "Far Out" and "groovy". Bling, to my knowlage isn't used by anybody anymore except for "entertainment journalists" trying to sound "hip" and with it". Besides, the whole "hiphop culture" as you say (big gold chains, baggy pants) is also extremely outdated. The culture and it's style has been elvolving into more of a natty-dresser thing anyways. Guys like Andre 3000 have helped steer the fashion of hip hop away from your outdated ideas of what you think it is years ago. Please get with the times.

[Beaux510]

Dude, all respect to the Andre3K, but his style is only picked up by the rare individualist within the hip-hop culture.

I live next to a high school in a suburban neighborhood of Seattle and can honestly say that I see droves of those whom you call "extremely outdated" every single, solitary day.

You are right though in labeling it as such, and I believe that is precisely the author's point.

[realtalk]

Obama is a Christian man who is comfortable in his own skin.

[lachgirl]

"Until Barack Obama came along, the most visible pop culture exemplar of 1960s suit-and-tie style was the tightly-wound Rev. Louis Farrakhan."

I actually would contest that--if you have been following trends in music videos, there is a swelling movement away from thug towards gent. I think that pop star Usher is actually hosting a reality TV show with that as an aim. Kanye, Andre 3000, even P Diddy and Jay-Z have been classing it up for the past few years. I think the importance of Barack's inclusion in that style movement will have more to do with opening up what professions are connected to said dapper dress for young men.

[lonesomejames]

thank you for pointing that out, people should do a little more research before they judge.