What a Cholo Looks Like?

The cholo style and subculture has its roots in the Mexican-American (Chicano) gang and prison culture but has evolved over the decades into a distinctive fashion and lifestyle. The cholo look is immediately recognizable, though it can vary across regions and sets. Here’s an in-depth look at what cholos and cholas typically wear and how they present themselves.

The Cholo Style Origins and Evolution

The word “cholo” originally referred to Mexican farmworkers in the late 1800s who wore a hybrid style of traditional Mexican peasant clothing and American workwear. By the early 1900s, the term became associated with youth gang culture in Los Angeles.

In the 1940s and 50s, young Mexican-Americans created the “Pachuco” style which became the basis for cholo fashion. This look featured zoot suits, ducktail haircuts, wingtip shoes, and Pendleton jackets. As gang culture grew in the 1960s-70s, cholos adopted a rugged style reflecting their roots and environment.

Over the decades, cholo style continuously reinvented itself while keeping ties to its heritage. Lowrider culture and rap music influenced the look in the 80s-90s. Today’s cholos have distinctive regional styles borrowing from various street cultures. Their aesthetic reflects the tough, unapologetic mindset of the streets.

The Classic Cholo Look and Dress Code

In the realm of cholo fashion, there exists no singular uniform, yet a distinctive East L.A. cholo look emerges through the incorporation of specific staple clothing items, accessories, and grooming styles. It’s a unique amalgamation that brings together elements reflecting a shared identity. From bandanas and oversized flannels to meticulously inked tattoos, each piece contributes to the classic East L.A. cholo aesthetic. Amidst this sartorial mosaic, discover how do cholos dress, blending these elements seamlessly to create a style that transcends conventional fashion norms.

Hair and Headwear

• Slicked-back hair – The signature cholo hairstyle is hair greased back and parted. Some add a slight pompadour lift in the front.
• Hairnets – A utilitarian addition adapted from kitchen workers and mechanics. Cholos wear transparent hairnets to keep their slick-backed locks in place.
• Bandanas – Folded bandanas worn on the head are another cholo trademark. Bandanas represent flagging colors and gang affiliation.
• Billed caps – Baseball caps and trucker hats worn slightly angled to one side have been popular since the 90s. Common brands are New Era, Flexfit, and Von Dutch.

Upper Body

• White tank tops – Sleeveless cotton undershirts are a cholo basic. White tanks showcase tattoos and let cholos flex their muscles.
• Flannel shirts – Plaid flannels worn open over tanks project a rugged, urban woodsman image.
• Dickies jackets – Eisenhower-style cholo jackets made by Dickies have been fashionable for decades. They come in a variety of colors and materials like black leather.
• Tattoos – Extensive tattoos are central to the cholo look. Common imagery includes names, teardrops, spiderwebs, Lowrider art, and Aztec/Mexican motifs.

Lower Body

• Baggy khaki pants – Pleated and loose-fitting khakis provide comfort for cholos while concealed weapons. Dickies, Ben Davis, and Wrangler are popular brands.
• Shorts – Knee-length nylon soccer shorts worn over long underwear keep cholos cool in summer. Brands like Adidas, Nike, and Champion are preferred.
• Belts – Wide webbed belts support oversized pants. Belts may also sport a large buckle with an engraved gang name, car emblem, or provocative graphic.
• Socks – Crew-length athletic socks add a sporty element. The Nike Cortez shoe gained popularity in cholo street culture.

Footwear

• Ben Davis shoes – The ultimate cholo footwear brand. Ben Davis offers athletic-leisure shoes with comfort and street style.
• Flannel shirts – Black leather dress shoes bring sophistication. Popular styles have a slight platform heel and pointed fronts.
• Sneakers – For casual wear, cholos opt for clean high-top or low-top sneakers. Converse, Vans, Puma, and Adidas are common picks.

Accessories

No cholo look is complete without the right finesse and flair pieces:

• Bandanas – Neck and head bandanas worn in gang colors make a symbolic statement. Bandanas are strategically color-coordinated with the outfit.
• Belt buckles – Large shiny belt buckles are worn with pride to display emblems, nameplates, portraits, and more. Gold or chrome finishes add glare.
• Wallets – A thick wallet on a chain shows swagger. Wallets frequently match other accessories like bandanas and shoes.
• Sunglasses – Small rounded sunglasses with wire-thin frames give a cool, detached vibe. Popular brands include Ray-Ban and Oakley.
• Jewelry – Gold neck chains, rings, and bracelets all contribute to the cholo swagger. Some wear rosaries and crosses to represent their Catholic faith.

The Chola Look and Style

The female counterpart to the cholo style is the chola or “homegirl” look. Chola style combines signature cholo pieces with a feminine urban edge.

Beauty and Hair

Chola beauty is high-maintenance and glamorous:

• Dark lip liner – Lining and filling in lips with dark brown pencil is a classic chola makeup technique. It creates an exaggerated pout.
• Big hair – Teased updos, tightly curled bangs, and voluminous ponytails add drama. Many cholas wear hairpieces and extensions.
• Long pointy nails – Fake nails in pale nudes and bright designs are the ultimate chola accessory. Super long stiletto shapes take nail art to the next level.
• Drawn-on eyebrows – Thin, highly arched brows drawn with pencil and eyeliner match the intensity of the chola look.

Outfits

Cholas express attitude through their clothing choices:

• Tube tops – Stretchy crop tops or tied halter tops reveal the midriff. Some flaunt band names, car culture symbols, or provocative phrases.
• Oversized shirts – Baggy button-down shirts offer a tomboy contrast when paired with tight pants.
• Dickies pants – Form-fitting Dickies work pants show off curves and provide comfort for cholas’ active lifestyle.
• Mini skirts – Short flared skirts often featuring bold prints like animal or floral patterns.
• Heels – Platform sandals and pumps boost height and femininity. Open toes show off elaborate nail art.
• Bomber jackets – For layering, cholas rock satin or leather bomber jackets covered in airbrush designs.
• Expert accessories – The chola look pulls together gold hoop earrings, stacked bangle bracelets, rhinestone hair clips, and Virgin Mary pendants.

Regional Cholo Styles

Over the decades, distinct regional variations of the cholo look developed across the U.S. Here are some prominent examples.

Sureño Style (Southern California)

Sureños have a slick, clean-cut aesthetic compared to other cholos. Their look signals roots in Southern California:

• Well-lined hairstyles gelled to perfection
• Tattoos with finer detail work
• Pristine white tank tops and starched Dickies
• Palette of blue, gray, black, and white
• Sports team apparel like LA Dodgers caps
• Polished dress shoes for nights out

Norteño Style (Northern California)

Norteños in Northern California adopt a more rural cowboy-gangster mix:

• Shaved heads or buzzcuts
• Red bandanas
• Plaid flannels over white tank undershirts
• Looped thumb rings
• Khaki shorts exposing leg tattoos
• Work boots or cowboy boots
• Imagery signaling pride in Northern Mexican heritage

Cholo Style in the Midwest and Southwest

Regions like Texas, Chicago, and New Mexico have blended cholo tradition with local influences:

• Cowboy hats or stitched caps
• Western wear like flannel snap shirts and big belt buckles
• Tribal-inspired accessories and tattoos
• Ropa vieja with embroidered collars
• Oakley wraparound sunglasses
• Pointy exotic skin boots
• Lowrider culture details like Virgin Mary steering wheel covers

The Allure and Meaning of Cholo Fashion

Some aspects of cholo style hold symbolic meaning. But the look also simply provides comfort and represents cultural pride for Mexican-Americans. Here’s a closer look at the intrigue.

Symbolism and Secret Codes

Certain cholo fashions discretely indicate gang affiliation and status:

• Bandanas – Specific color bandanas represent territory and gang alliances. Blue signals Sureño sets, red represents Norteños. Bandanas can be worn in different configurations to silently communicate meanings.
• Tattoos – Extensive tattoos conceal secret messages and tributes with seemingly innocuous images. Tattoos help cholos track their life history and achievements. Common themes include tombstones to signify loss, clocks without hands to indicate doing time, and silk webs around elbows to show time in solitary confinement.
• Socks – Wearing one sock pulled up and the other rolled down indicates solitary status within a cholo’s set. It’s a sign of respect among incarcerated cholos.
• Rosaries – Rosary beads represent spirituality but also count off gang affiliations and tributes to deceased homies through the number of beads worn.
• Sports Teams – Sports jerseys and caps of local teams like the LA Dodgers and Oakland Raiders represent cholo turf pride.
• Car Culture – Graphics of customized Lowriders, car emblems, and sexy pin-up silhouettes on shirts reference the cholo obsession with unique rides.

Cultural Identity and Practicality

Beyond the hidden symbols, cholo fashion allows convenient mobility and expresses cultural identity.

• Durability – Dickies workwear has endured through generations for its affordability, durability, and ease of movement. Cholos adapted the styles of their laboring fathers and forefathers.
• Comfort – Oversized t-shirts, tanks, and pants allow flexibility for tagging, working on cars, or kicking back with homies. The casual aesthetic suits the cholo lifestyle.
• Heritage – Details like flared arches, border prints, and religious pendants represent pride in roots from Mexico and Central America.
• Brotherhood – Matching cholos signal unity and shared experiences. Their authentic style communicates toughness, resilience, and an unconventional code of ethics.

So while some see cholos as reckless rebels, their fashion allows self-expression and conveys shared history. With deep subcultural meaning, the cholo look won’t fade away anytime soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the word “cholo” mean?

“Cholo” originated as a slang term for Mexican migrant farmworkers in the late 1800s. Today, it refers to Mexican-Americans associated with street and youth gang subcultures. “Cholo” can have a negative connotation but is often used with pride within the community.

Where did cholo fashion originate?

The cholo style grew out of the pachuco culture of the 1940s-50s. As Mexican-American youth formed street gangs in Los Angeles and other Southwestern cities, their fashion evolved to reflect gang life. Details like bandanas originated from the need to represent their crew and territory.

Do female gang members dress the same way?

Women in cholo culture are known as cholas or “homegirls.” While they adopt style elements like dark lip liner, gold jewelry, and bandanas, cholas add feminine details through makeup, bombshell hair, mini skirts, and platform heels.

Can you get in trouble for dressing like a cholo?

There are no laws prohibiting cholo-inspired fashion. But in areas with active gang disputes, certain colors and symbols could be deemed threatening. Law enforcement officials may stereotype and harass youths looking like cholos.

What cholo brands are popular today?

Dickies, Ben Davis, Converse, Nike Cortez, Vans, Adidas, Pendleton, and Stüssy are worn by modern cholos. Oversized white t-shirts, khaki pants, plaid flannels, and bandanas remain timeless cholo garb.

The Enduring Allure of Cholo Style

Cholo fashion arose from the streets and gang culture of Mexican-American youth. But the look now transcends its origins. Popular brands have incorporated cholo elements into clothing lines for wider appeal. The cholo aesthetic also influenced 90s West Coast hip hop style.

Today, the cholo style remains an emblem of resilience and cultural heritage. More than just a fashion, it’s an act of identity and self-expression. The cholo look will doubtless continue to evolve yet hold onto its core spirit. Exploring related styles, one may ponder, What is the difference between Ugg and Koolaburra? as these brands reflect distinct facets of the ever-changing landscape of fashion and identity. For generations to come, cholos will slick back their hair, rock their storied ink, and represent their varrios with pride.