Gang Related Clothing

6.d

Clothing - Is it worn as a fad or as gang attire??? 

It is said that "Clothes make the man." However, clothing can also be a representation of something else. That said, if a young male, female, or an individual is dressed up in a specific way, color, or style, he/she can be a gang member. It is very unfortunate that a lot of youngsters love to dress up just like the gang members, although they are not connected to any gang, they feel it looks "cool." 

CLOTHES - THE LOOK

Although teens nowadays love to wear baggies or they adopt the junkie or gang-banger look, it does not mean that everyone adopting these trends is a gang member. Also, the use of code words, symbols, or graffiti is not a clear indication of gang-related activities.

With time, the trends have changed. That said, the prevalence of hip-hop culture, gang attire, shaved heads, and baggies has become a famous trend in teens of upper and middle class all over the country. Also, the youth wears gang attires as a symbol of fashion, and everything is shown in teen videos or MTV.

Professional and College Sports Wear

We see youngsters moving in groups either they are in school, malls, streets, or anywhere, wear the same type of clothes, hats, and shoes. Does that mean they all belong to any gang or involved in criminal activities? The answer is NO.

Also, if a youngster is wearing a jewelry item such as a playboy bunny, crescent moon, five-point star, or a six-point star, it does not necessarily mean that he/she is representing any gang. If someone dresses-up in a particular way or wears specific color shoes, hats, or anything like that, it is not an indication that the person is affiliated with any gang. Yes, it is one of those factors which are considered while identifying a gang member, but it is not a clear indication of a gangster.

It has been observed that those areas where gangs are always at each other's throat or where people get murdered or assaulted and drive-by shooting happens very often; victims are considered as gang members of the rival gangs because they were wearing a specific type of colors or attires. Just because of that, it happened very often that those individuals who had no connections with any gang were mistaken as gang members just because of their identical dressing styles. 

Youngsters have this urge to look cool by adopting the latest fashion (including gang fashion). I would advise to refrain yourself from such fashions. They say, "If it walks like a duck, if it talks like a duck, if it looks like a duck, then it must be a duck." It means that if you are dressed up as a gangster, or you act like a gangster, you can be easily mistaken as a real gangster by the members of the rival gang. The urge of acting or looking cool can prove to be very costly for you.

NOTE: Authorities have reported that nowadays, gangs are changing their clothing styles or patterns to hide their identity and deceive the officers of law enforcement agencies. 

Clothing of college or professional sports teams worn by street gangs

Nowadays, gang members wear cloths of popular sports teams for the representation of their respective gangs. They use sports clothes for college or professional sports teams. However, it must be kept in mind that wearing sports attires solely is not an indication of gang affiliation. These lists are made to facilitate readers to be aware of gang involvement. However, keep in mind that gangs are also aware of the fact that law enforcers also consider clothing as a sign or indication of gangsters or their affiliation. 

Sports Teams, Clothing, Logos and Gangs

It is very obvious that if a kid or someone else adopts the clothing patterns of any gang will impart a message that they are interested in a specific gang, and the rival gangs will notice it, and that is why it can be very dangerous. Moreover, incidents like these had incurred in the past when individuals were shot by rival gangs just for wearing specific clothes. Therefore, it is sincerely advised that do not allow your kids to wear these types of attires or do not buy such things for them that can invite trouble. Here are some of the traditional and current clothing themes of the gangs:

Gang Related Clothing and Styles - Boys 

• Very short hair, bald or shaved heads.
• An oversized white T-shirt creased at the center.
• Athletic looking white undershirt.
• Oversized knit shirts (like polo).
• Oversized solo pants, Ben Davis, or Dickie.
• Wearing pants in such a way that they get dragged on the ground.
• Wearing baseball caps in a backward position
• Wearing socks up to knee height with shorts.
• Wearing clothes of dull and dark color or using one specific color in clothing.
• Oversized jerseys, sweatshirts, or jackets of black color.
• Silver gang initial belt buckle or Black stretch belt with chrome.
• Clothing having multiple colors such as silver, black, or white.
• Oversized or extra-large shirts.

Gang Related Clothing and Styles - Girls 

• Unnecessary use of baby oil, gel, or mousse in the hair.
• Shoes or clothes of black or other dark colors.
• Oversized black sweatshirts, athletic football jerseys, or jackets.
• Keeping oversized shirts out of the pants.
• Oversized T-shirts of white color.
• Lettering on Dark colored jackets.
• Long baggy pants are worn so low.
• Shaved eyebrows, dark color lipsticks, heavy makeup, nail polish of dark color, excessive use of eyeshadows of dark colors.
• Revealing blouses or tank tops.
• Unfastened overalls
• Stretch belts with initial on the belt buckle.