Bamboo Earrings 

Minority communities view hoops as more than just jewelry; they see them as a statement of identity, strength, and resistance. They have been there for thousands of years, but in the twentieth century, they were associated with black culture. The bamboo earring has remained a popular jewelry classic regardless of fashion for good reason. It is a potent allegory of prehistoric African culture with strong ties to Hip Hop music and culture. It also acts as a sign of resistance for many women of color who wear it.

Big Pants- Little Top

Female celebrities like Aaliyah and TLC used these outfit combinations on stage and in photo shoots, which helped popularize the style and make it an iconic fashion trend. These women glamourized the baggy clothing trends that were predominately worn by men. It quickly rose to prominence as a cutting-edge women’s fashion fad.

Sneaker Culture

The 1980s saw the emergence of sneaker collecting, which later gave rise to the sneakerhead culture in the US. Two key factors were basketball, specifically the rise of Michael Jordan and the 1985 release of his eponymous Air Jordan shoe line, and the development of hip-hop music.  Companies that make sneakers started marketing them to well-known basketball players to increase sales. The popularity of these shoe firms soared thanks to sponsorships from black celebrities. Nike created a series of advertisements to tie the Air Jordans to Black youth culture when they initially came out in 1985. Sneakers have come to represent the significant influence that Black culture has had on American culture as a whole.

Nails

In 1950, acrylic nails were developed in the US and quickly gained favor with Hollywood celebrities. Donyale Luna, an African-American model, most famously wore them on the cover of Twen Magazine in 1966. She was the first black woman to appear on the Vogue cover. Then, in the 1970s, acrylic nails entered the salon scene and were linked to black disco icons like Donna Summers and Diana Ross. Ornate acrylic nails became popular in the 1990s during the emergence of hip-hop and R&B culture. Black performers like Missy Elliott and Lil Kim popularized the style with her famed “money manicure,” which was designed by renowned black nail technician to the stars Bernadette Thompson.