Blood In Blood Out (1993)

"Miklo, orale, carnalito. What's up, ese?"

Damian Chapa impersonates the Miklo character in this movie, one of his first roles and since then on he would became obsessed with chicano gangster movies, both as actor and director. Too bad he's just not that good in both.. But at least he knows how to dress up properly as a chicano.

A film about three cousins growing up, one active as painter, the second as a narcotic officer and the latter as the leader of the La Onda prison gang. Director Taylor Hackford shot the film inside the San Quentin State Prison and managed to get a great deal of prisoners to act in the film. As for style concerned it's a chicano gangster walhalla; pleated (khaki) chino's, tanktops with flannel check shirts, completed with derby hats. When in prison they wear light blue shirts all with the button up top, denim jeans and jackets, navy colored beanies and all black sunglasses.

Rebel without a Cause (1955)

Writing about 'the James Dean look' on movies like Badlands and Flyboys, I had to cover and show where this ideal image originates from. The popularity of James Dean was immense at the time and some say this was the reason for Warner Bros. to order director Nicholas Ray to re-shoot the movie in color. As originally the film was to be shot in black and white.

The rebellious character of Jim Stark seems of course to have been written for James Dean, who was known for his love of cars and any sorts of racing. However 'the James Dean look' has got nothing to do with cars, but is all about the indifferent, bored but cool expression on his face, his white tee combined with the iconic Lee 101 Riders jeans and the red Harrington jacket completes this look. Nicolas Ray did research on contemporary L.A. gangs for the characters in this movie and this resulted in lots of selvage jeans, probably most of them big E 501's, leather jackets and cowboy-style boots.

Juice (1992)

If you haven't seen this classic from '92 you definitely should and If you haven't even heard of it you should feel ashamed. Simply because of the main two reasons: the awesome music and haircuts.

Street cultures in New York around the 80's and 90's were dominated by the still young hip-hop. A culture originated in the Bronx, where Juice will bring you the story about four friends up in Harlem. The intro credits wouldn't have been any special if it weren't for the title song played in the background by Eric B. and Rakim. Not to mention the appearance of the EPMD members, a whole lot of vinyl records, Pete Rock and DJ Scratch and of course Tupac acting. I only dreamed of having an afro haircut like Bishop, the character played by Shakur, who wins the award for Best Haircut by far.

Well see for yourself and check out the Reebok Pumps, Timbs and jeans (501's that is), denim jackets, dungarees, red and black lumberjacks, wayfarers and the parka's worn by Omar Epps. Oh yeah, almost forgot to mention Steel, the guy with his name shaved in the back of his head and Raheem with the rolled up sleeves.