Lars New York, man’s shearling jacket, c. 1980, USA, gift of Rebecca Pietri, 2021.10.2 with Fila black velour tracksuit, cotton and polyester, c. 2006, Germany, gift of Rebecca Pietri, 2022.66.1

Early hip hop style fused practicality with aspiration. The combination of shearling jackets with tracksuits is an undeniably hip hop look that allowed b-boys and b-girls freedom of movement and warmth on the street. Buying expensive shearling coats and leather jackets at a good price was a rite of passage for young hip hop fans who traveled downtown to market stalls on Delancey Street in Manhattan.