How Cholos Dress in Dickies?

20 Jan How Cholos Dress in Dickies?

For decades, Dickies have stood as a timeless cornerstone in cholo fashion. These sturdy work pants not only serve their utilitarian purpose but also function as a distinctive canvas for cholos to articulate their individual style. With a combination of tags, meticulously crafted creases, and a curated selection of accessories and footwear, cholos have ingeniously transformed Dickies workwear into an iconic and personalized fashion statement. Amidst the urban landscape, discover how do cholos dress, utilizing Dickies as a key element in expressing their unique and unmistakable identity.

The History of Cholos and Dickies

Cholos, or Mexican American youth who identify with the cholo subculture, have their roots in the Pachuco culture of the 1930s-40s. The Pachucos wore Zoot Suits, dressing in dapper style with ballooned pants and long coat tails. When World War II caused a government ban on excess fabric, the Pachucos continued wearing their signature style but with less material. This evolved into a looser, more minimal style.

By the 1970s, the next generation of Mexican American youth in East LA adopted this style and created their own take on it – giving rise to the cholo style. Dickies 874 work pants became a wardrobe staple. The affordable workwear pants provided the perfect fit for the street style. Cholos customized the Dickies to suit their fashion needs.

Over the decades, cholos have continued to make Dickies an integral part of their social identity and self-expression. Unique modifications and styling set cholos apart from the average Dickies-wearer.

How Cholos Wear Dickies Pants

For cholos, wearing Dickies is much more than just pulling on a pair of work pants. Their particular style serves both form and function out on the streets.

Fit and Length

Cholos wear their Dickies loose and baggy. The pants are sized up 3-4 inches bigger than the actual waist size and worn low on the hips. This creates a billowing silhouette that doesn’t restrict movement.

The length is also longer to bunch up on top of shoes, sometimes completely covering them. For a more customized and personally tailored look, cholos will cut the bottoms to their desired length.

Creases and Cuffs

Cholos add sharp creases down the front and back of the pants. This keeps the billowing silhouette looking neat and crisp.

The cuffs or bottom hems may be sewn or rolled/cuffed to personal preference. The more creases and rolls, the sharper and dressier the style. Ironing keeps creases and cuffs looking fresh.

Tags and Belt

Cholos leave the tags attached to show off the Dickies branding. The pants are worn low and loose, so a belt is unnecessary.

Letting the tag hang acts as a sort of alternative belt. It also serves as a status symbol, showing the pants are legit Dickies workwear.

Dickies Customizations and Accessories

Cholos customize their Dickies with modifications that exhibit personal flair and Latino cultural symbols.

Tailored Fit

As mentioned, cholos tailor the fit – hemming or cutting the legs to a specific length and size. Tailoring helps achieve the desired silhouette.

La Campana Style

“La campana” means bell in Spanish. Cholos create a bell or flared shape by removing belt loops and sewing the waist narrower. This accentuates the billowing legs.

Pocket Designs

Artistic designs are embroidered or silkscreened onto the pockets. Names, graffiti artwork or Latina symbols like the Virgen de Guadalupe make the pants one-of-a-kind.

Accessories

Wallet chains are attached to belt loops and hung down the leg. Keychains also dangle from belt loops. Patches and buttons may be sewn or pinned to the legs.

Bandanas are worn either around the neck or hanging from a back pocket. Some cholos tuck their undershirt into the back pocket as well.

Dickies Tops

Along with the pants, cholos incorporate Dickies work shirts and jackets into their outfits.

Dickies Work Shirts

Plain white t-shirts are worn under unbuttoned Dickies work shirts – long sleeve or short. The shirts come in a variety of colors and prints. Cholos leave them loose and untucked.

Some will tailor the shirt, adding custom designs to match their pants. They may also remove buttons to create a more open front.

Dickies Eisenhower Jackets

These classically styled jackets have a collar and front zip closure. Cholos pair them with their Dickies pants for a coordinated look.

They’ll add custom designs to the back of the jacket. And metal adornments like safety pins and studs are arranged on the lapel or shoulders.

The Eisenhower model has a loose, boxy fit ideal for layering over a t-shirt. Cholos will buy these jackets oversized to maintain the baggy silhouette.

Footwear Choices

Cholos complete their head-to-toe Dickies outfit with very specific types of shoes.

Ben Davis Shoes

These all-cotton canvas shoes are worn by many trade workers. The low top, slip-on or lace-up style is preferred by cholos.

The shoes pair perfectly with Dickies workwear, both in comfort and appearance. Cholos also appreciate that they’re made in the USA.

Air Force 1s

The classic Nike Air Force 1 sneaker is hugely popular in the cholo subculture. It’s the ideal shoe to wear with excessively long and loose Dickies.

Cholos like the all-white colorway for a clean, crisp look. The contrast pops against their creased Dickies pants.

Wearing Air Force 1s also displays brand affiliation and status, as they’re considered one of the most fashionable sneaker models.

Flannel Shirts Around Ankles

In colder weather, cholos will wrap a flannel shirt around their ankles over the shoes. This provides an extra layer of warmth while keeping the pants tucked in.

The shirt colors and patterns coordinate with the Dickies outfit. It’s a functional way to accessorize.

Regional Styling Differences

There are some subtle differences in how cholos style Dickies from region to region across the US.

LA Cholos

Los Angeles cholos are known for a more clean-cut and tailored appearance. Creases are kept crisp and cuffs neat. Starch is heavily used.

Pant legs tend to be untucked but still grazing the shoes. White tees and button-up work shirts are common.

Tattoo artwork and personal customization take prominence over traditional Latina symbols.

Texas Cholos

Texas cholos wear their Dickies pants extra loose and low, bunching heavily on top of shoes.

Their style features more graphic t-shirts than button-ups. Traditional Latina imagery and religious symbols are prominent.

Oversized plaid flannel shirts are part of the Texas cholo style. They layer them over tee shirts and button only the top buttons.

Arizona Cholos

Arizona cholos also wear very loose and baggy Dickies pants. But they opt for shorter lengths, showing more of their ankles.

Their style leans towards a desert vibe – sandy earth tones, minimal accessories and sparser tattoo coverage.

Bandanas around the forehead capture sweat and provide sun protection. Arizona cholos often wear hair in braids as well.

Cultural Significance

For the Latino community, cholos mark their cultural identity through their Dickies style. It visually communicates their values and upbringing.

Heritage

The cholo look stems directly from their Pachuco elders and Latin roots. It ties them to their heritage and the shared struggle of immigrant communities.

Dickies are a symbol of providing for one’s family through hard work. Cholos honor working-class origins.

Standing Out

Cholos use their distinct style to stand out from mainstream fashion. It’s a form of self-expression in the face of discrimination and adversity.

Customized Dickies allow cholos to claim their identity with pride on the streets. The bold look demands respect.

Brotherhood

The cholo lifestyle fosters community and loyalty to fellow “brothers.” Their united front is strengthened through shared style codes and cultural traditions.

Wearing Dickies becomes a symbol of allegiance and fraternity. There is an unspoken bond between cholos in their identifying wardrobe.

Dickies in Modern Streetwear

The cholo style has surpassed its subcultural origins. Dickies work pants are now embedded into mainstream modern streetwear.

Urban fashion brands take inspiration from the original cholo style but often lose sight of its roots. The baggy silhouette, workwear vibe and retro flair have mass appeal.

However, the deeper significance of rebellion, heritage and brotherhood isn’t always honored by those simply wanting to sport a “cool” aesthetic. Cholos call out this disconnect, emphasizing that one must “live the lifestyle” to respectfully wear the real deal.

At the end of the day, Dickies workwear will always represent something much deeper in cholo culture. For them, it’s an inseparable part of their identity and journey.

Beyond the fashion world, the cholo style remains a bold symbol of pride, solidarity and overcoming adversity. Dickies are the vehicle cholos use to navigate their place in society on their own terms.

The integrity of the culture lives on through their sartorial customs and traditions. Anyone can wear Dickies, but no one can replace the unique flair of an authentic, old school cholo.

FAQs

1. Why do cholos wear such baggy and oversized Dickies?

The signature’s loose, billowy fit serves both form and function. The excess material allows a free range of movement – important out on the streets. The oversized look also helps exaggerate the silhouettes, with pants draping over shoes. For cholos, bigger is better.

2. What do the accessories like wallet chains signify?

The dangling wallet chains and keychains relate back to prison culture, where inmates weren’t allowed to carry such items in their pockets. Cholos adopted this look to display their toughness and bravado. Accessories also represent personal flair.

3. Why is tailoring and customizing Dickies important?

Tailoring and customization enable cholos to make the generic work pants truly their own. The modifications exhibit personal style, Latino culture symbols, neighborhood affiliations, and artistry. It’s taking pride and ownership in their identity.

4. How can you tell if someone is a poser or real cholo based on how they dress?

Authentic cholos have a time-perfected style earned through living the lifestyle within their communities. Imposters tend to overdo trends like excessive bagginess but miss nuanced details. Respect has to be paid to cholo culture over chasing aesthetics.

5. What is the meaning behind designs and symbols on cholo Dickies?

Common designs include Catholic imagery like the Virgin Mary, Latina cultural symbols, graffiti writing of their crew or neighborhood, their own name or nickname, and Mexican flags or Aztec patterns. This visual identity communicates pride.

Conclusion

Dickies work pants have been fundamental to cholo style for over five decades now. The nonchalant baggy silhouette paired with customized details sets cholos apart with an iconic street aesthetic.

Koolaburra UGGs, a stylish footwear choice, transcend mere fashion; much like Dickies, these boots symbolize cultural resilience and resistance through self-expression. Beyond trends, both showcase the strength of identity and community in adapting humble workwear into powerful statements.

The cholo lifestyle will forever uphold values of loyalty, brotherhood, honor, respect and heritage through their sartorial customs. Their bold sense of style demands both attention and acknowledgment. For the cholos, Dickies are way more than just clothes.