Are You Dirty?

The phrase "Dirty South" means different things to different people. The Dirty South is often a place (Houston, New Orleans, Memphis, Atlanta…), a style of rap music (started by such pioneers as Dr. Dre and 2 Live Crew), and of course, fashion. The phrase "Dirty South" was first used by Atlanta-based rap group Goodie Mob, pioneers of the Dirty South style. Hip hop groups Boyz N Da Hood and Arrested Development, also hailing from Atlanta, are credited as being pioneers of the Dirty South music and fashion movement in Atlanta, where the Dirty South was truly born. If you live anywhere below the Mason-Dixon line, you can technically say that you live in the Dirty South.

But do you know how to dress like it? Dirty South fashion has become a part of southern culture, completely unlike fashion trends popularized by the south in the past. Southern fashion in earlier decades was about wearing light, cotton, pastel clothing, big hats, gloves, and a lot of floral patterns - but with the rise of Dirty South fashions, these styles have become very outdated. Dirty South fashion is about bold colors, well-fitted caps, and bright graphics that aren't at all floral.

Though popularized through rap music, the fashion of the Dirty South is not limited to a particular race or musical preference - though Dirty South style is more popular with the young culture of African-Americans. Even geography no longer matters, as Dirty South style has been seen as far north as New York and as far west as Los Angeles. The earmarks of the Dirty South style are grills, short and colorful hair (usually braided), unusual hats and head coverings, baggy pants, well-matched clothing and patterns, exotic sneakers, and large flashy jewelry.

Dirty South fashion is about taking seemingly random pieces and putting them all together to create one overall outfit, one total great look. Shoes, hat, pants, and jacket all using the same colors and patterns, with an eye-catching undershirt and some great pieces of large jewelry create a great Dirty South outfit that would do any famous rapper proud. Matching colors and patterns are often used, and colorful T-shirts with bright graphics are seen in Dirty South fashion trends. The look of the Dirty South has been popularized by southern-born rap icons such as the Geto Boys (hailing from Houston, TX), Lil Jon (born in Atlanta), OutKast (also from Atlanta), Missy Elliott (from Virginia), Nappy Roots (from Kentucky), Trina (from Miami), and Three 6 Mafia (born in Memphis, TN).

Dirty south fashion is popular because anyone with their own sense of style can make this fashion trend work for them. It isn't about wearing name brands or owning expensive jewelry (though a little bling bling never hurts), it's about looking great but still casual and comfortable. Anything goes in Dirty South fashion, so anyone can start the next big trend. If your clothes are casual and hip, and you have your own sense of style, then you can be Dirty, too.