Price Conscious Fashion: Rappers Dial Back on Bling

Many of hip-hop’s most famous stars are just as well known for their outrageous taste in jewelry and fashion choices. Rappers like  Kanye West and Sean “Diddy” Combs have moved towards more refined looks that range from boardroom to preppy, but  have become much less ostentatious especially now that the rest of the world is going through a penny-pinching phase, according to the Associated Press. While we’re still seeing bling in rap videos and concerts, rappers who once donned $35,000 chains are looking to more affordable options like wearing fewer or smaller chains with lower quality stones and metals, sporting non-designer labeled, plain white t-shirts, opting for scarves instead of jewelry, or trading in their bling all together. Even those emerging rappers who receive an advance are holding on to their money tighter than ever before.–LB