Fans have definitely gone crazy over 4Minute's "Crazy" as they have won #1 several times at several music shows. I think the immense popularity of this song warrants a fashion-in-review. Also, Gayoon was the style director of this comeback.
Starting with the outfits below (the same ones they wore in their teaser photo), we can see a 90s revival. One of the first things that stood out are the bucket hats with members' names on them. When I first saw bucket hats appear in K-pop (namely EXO's "Overdose") I thought to myself, "This is just the beginning," and I was right. What was once trendy during the 90s has become trendy all over again now. At first I thought bucket hats looked silly but now that I see them more often I've become more neutral about it.
All of the members are wearing crop tops with varying sleeve lengths. It's great to see some uniformity and difference at the same time. I believe anyone can wear crop tops. The ones with more toned midriffs can expose their bellybuttons by wearing low-rise bottoms while others can wear high-waisted bottoms.
The picture below is a near-mirror image of the outfits 4Minute is wearing above, only in white instead of black.
HyunA maintains her sexy image by showing more skin on the upper half of her body than the other members. In performances, she's the one typically wearing skinny jeans and bucket hats or beanies.
Gayoon and Jiyoon (2YOON) have similar outfits with sleeveless crop tops, except that Jiyoon has a turtleneck. They're also both wearing loose-fitting pants with Gayoon's being looser on her body. Gayoon is the one typically wearing loose pants and a headband or bandanna in performances. Jiyoon is the one who usually wears asymmetrical long shirts (or dresses, whichever you deem them as) that have a slit on one side.
Sohyun and Jihyun (2HYUN?! just kidding) have similar outfits with long-sleeve crop tops and skinny jeans or leggings. Sohyun is bringing back the harness and rocking it. She wears it a lot in live performances. As for Jihyun during music shows, she usually wears jerseys with a layer of light material, probably mesh or chiffon, underneath.
The majority of the jewelry consists of chunky gold chains with pendants on them. It helps accent the otherwise plain-colored outfits that they have on, especially since the music video is in black and white. This was a popular trend during fall of 2013 and still seems to be continuing. Gayoon's wide-leg pants during this promotion reminds me of another 90s revival - JNCO pants. Whoever styled her has foresight because as a matter of fact, JNCO is manufacturing again this year after they closed down in 2000 when the wide-leg pants trend died down.
My own prediction is that girl groups promoting with the sexy image in the future will be wearing strappy crops tops and bras like the ones that Sohyun and HyunA are wearing pictured below.
In the photo below you can see that each member is wearing mesh on some part of their body. We've commonly seen mesh used for leggings, shirts, and to some extent beanies but for mouth masks it's uncommon. This type of fabric knit seems to play a huge role in this group's comeback fashion.
Last fashion commentary that I would like to add is what the female backup dancers are wearing. I absolutely love the dark eye and lip makeup in contrast to the mesh mouth masks. Similar to what 4Minute is wearing, they are wearing mesh covering areas that would otherwise be bare. It helps make their outfits appear more complicated and more modest. Their large hoop earrings and necklaces with big links bring back the late 90s/early 2000s feel.
The variety of brands used in this music video is what makes the fashion so intriguing. We see eclectic style due to different brands being worn such as Supreme, Stussy, DKNY, Chromat, Jarret, Hyein Seo, and more.
Earlier today, G-Dragon and CL's collaboration with Skrillex (titled "Dirty Vibe") was released. If you have yet to see it, here is the video:
I feel like in an effort to be the more western definition of "urban", hip hop artists like G-Dragon and CL take common clothing troops to the extreme. For example, "gangsta" chains and grillz and overall appropriated items. Perhaps I am just bored of seeing Korean artists whose hip-hop is less urban rap (like, let's say Dok2 or Tiger JK) and more like over-saturated pop/rap.
Here is a fashion summary of the completely ridiculous "Dirty Vibe" wardrobe:
GD appears first in what I'm going to call the "base scene", because it's the scene that the MV keeps coming back to in between more fun/wild shots. While I appreciate the use of more diverse models/dancers (racially and by body-type), I am a bit frustrated that their clothing so clearly screams "objectified". If they were dancing perhaps that would be a different matter, but they are in crop tops and bathing suit/ underwear bottoms and literally just standing behind GD. In the second image, you can more clearly see that the girl with her hair down is wearing what appears to be child-sized shin guards. I just don't get what's A. sexy or B. cool about shin guards? I think the girls have cool shoes, and while I don't really understand their masks/ necklaces, I think they add to a more modern/ futuristic vibe.
In this frame, GD is wearing white on white, which I think compliments the girls' clothing and the background well. However, I am not really understanding which cigarette packs are included with what appear to be awareness ribbons and skulls. I always find it interesting when, in a meta-esque manner, the name of the song is incorporated into the video, and so I think it was a cool choice to have "Dirty Vibe" repeated over and over on GD's top.
I honestly don't know how to approach these shots of CL. She is so pretty, and I think her makeup looks great, but I am just thrown off by the fur cuffs on both her crop top and boots. Especially the boots. This look remind me of Josie and The Pussycat Dolls mixed with Moschino. I don't get the platform sandals with the thigh-high, completely-not-flattering leg warmers? Boots? I don't even know how many parts her leg paraphernalia are composed of.
I have no idea if her hair says anything, but this still looks quite artistic in my opinion. Obviously, something like this is staged purely for the sake of the music video. I can't imagine CL going to an awards show with a bandana around her eyes.
First rule of trench-coat wearing: pair it with slimmer pants! For real though, CL mixes quite a lot in this look. The sunglasses and trench coats are nod to The Matrix. While he shoes are fancier. Her turtleneck jumpsuit needs to burn. In fact, all turtlenecks need to burn. I know CL is a huge fan of the leotard/ bathing suit look, and I fully support her in that, but turtlenecks look far too suffocating. The pants are alright, but I am not a huge fan of them combined with everything else in this look. The giant hoop earrings, thick gold chain, and fingerless gloves look trashy not classy together. Or maybe it's the sweatpants-heels combo, which sometimes works, but definitely not when said sweatpants look three sizes too big for their wearer.
I just want to finish by pointing out GD's pleather fedora* and seriously massive amount of chains. Between the metal on his pants, around his neck, and in his mouth, I bet he's quite weighed down.
*KWS writer, Shelley, has pointed out that this is in fact a "bucket hat", and it's very popular in Kpop MVs as of late.
tl;dr: "Dirty Vibe" is all about faux fur, masks, and chains
Let me start by saying, AHHH Miss A is back with "Hush". I have been loving them since my first glimpse of Jia's pink hair back in 2009. Therefore, I wanted to take the time to look at the simple fashion of their concept.
Even if the fashion is not the most complex or my favorite look of the year, there's no denying that the girls of Miss A are hot. Even so, I do have a couple issues with their styling.
One major issue I have with the clothing are the turtlenecks. EYK's Martina and I share a hatred for these awful articles of clothing. I think they look awkward, and the white turtlenecks with black bras are not my favorite combination. The black turtlenecks are paired with this weird dual-chain choker necklace that looks a bit like it belongs to a dominatrix while trying to imitate a dog collar.
I love their high-waisted faux-patent-leather pants, very sexy! I like how their turtleneck outfits shows a mature, sultry side of them. Unlike other Kpop artists (and concepts), Miss A is able to do the 'sexy' concept without showing a ton of skin. Their red lipstick, smokey eyes, and perfect hair all screams "attractive" without being obnoxious.
(See the pictures below)
The White Turtlenecks
The Turtlenecks + Dog Chains
Another set of outfits they wear involves tying sweaters around their waist to cover up shorts and crop tops. I think this look only fits the video, but not if someone is walking around in public. I did like that half of the girls (Min and Suzy) have their shoulders covered, because it's another way they show a more modest sexy. I even like Suzy and Jia's fishnets. I think their black outfits fit the mood of the song, and they keep a form of uniformity by all of them wearing the same shoes. Props to the hair stylists for making the girls' hair look effortlessly 'sex hair'-esque.
(See the picture below)
I do have one note on the video. I don't really understand what's sexy about dirty showers, trashed grocery stores, or abandoned subways. Yet, somehow, Miss A (almost) makes it work.
One a side note, I think it's interesting how face-time over the years has changed. I remember when Jia and Min were getting all the screen-time back in 2010, now it's more Suzy (!) and Fei.
Overall, the fashion was a 6/10.
Are you going to be supporting Miss A in their 'Hush' promotions? I know I am.
Did you like the clothes they wore in the mv or are wearing for their performance stages?
Tell us in the comments below.
--Lauren
P.S. Who's your favorite member? I totally stan Fei!
