Chonga Style - Chola Style

[BellaCouture]

this loooks sooo cheap, if you ask me
yuk!

 

[r_r_r]

omg im dying over here!!!

 

[Lena]

this loooks sooo cheap, if you ask me
yuk!

thats the whole point, seems like a very ironic reaction, quite fresh and fun the way i see this

 

[Sephora_Socialite]

is it a streetstyle situaion with Chonga then?
are there and chongos around as well?

its really hilarious but -as usual- i'm curious to see through the socio roots of this trend

so please experts, share your views and guesses

Well with streetstyle, I've been noticing with the California chongas and cholas there have been trends popping up other than their "classics". A lot have been adapting this "CaLiii gUrL" look recently- some with their usual slick back hair and hoops and sharpie makeup- but wearing a Hollister shirt with too small jeans and some sneakers like Baby Phat, K-Swiss, etc.

Other than Chinese Slippers,

(alibaba)

I've been noticing a rise in fuzzy boots-even though now it's kinda a bit warm to be looking like a bunny is on your leg keeping you warm in a tundra.

(defamer)

And in my highschool, were in a good neighborhood so our cholas love to set aside for multi colored Coach and Dooney&Burke as their "status" bags.


There are Chongos and they have thin eyebrows as well or have some interesting thin lined facial hair.

(flickr)

(myspace)




As for roots- its mixed up from the cultures of the chongas, mostly Spanish , Mexican and Carribean roots. You look at those Aztecs and Mayans with them big hoop earrings and you can't tell me they dont bling like a chonga Influences with gang life- like some chongas adopt from their hardcore chola sistas the lil teardrop, but I'm seeing less of that now. Hip hop- they dress like stripper looking video girls or wear hip hop labels like Ecko, Phat Farm, Roca, Fetish, Baby Phat.

The other chonga love to haters can elaborate more later, but I needed to start this off on a somewhat more serious note

 

[Dylan.]

Hilarious.

funny enough i got this off of The Jovovich-Hawk myspace page.

 

[Lena]

^ they look super cool, mainly the girl in the middle with the pompadour hair , also love the chongo pic posted

sephora socialite, thanks for all the 'explanations', even though it's not clear from your reply, i guess this IS a streetstyle trend after all

do we have any original chongas reading this thread?

 

[ApertureRomance]

I doubt it since people are treating it as a joke. If anyone is interested check out a photographer called Estevan Oriol he documents LA gang culture.

 

[Sephora_Socialite]

^ Lena, Ale is the most knowledgable probably- he is near Hialeah afterall I'm in LA, its a bit different here...more cholas than chongas.

Well Aperture, I guess I'll be more serious and touch base on chola gang culture and the difference with chongas later then. Too tired to explain now, but maybe it clears things up for people? Great suggestion, Esteban is great. Maybe we need a photography thread for gang culture? It might be touchy to do because some of the photos might be deemed inappropriate, drug use and violence...but really... Some of the photos are striking and really makes you think and there are other aspects too...pictures that capture gang loyalty and aspects of family and brotherhood to the gang...one that still disturbs me is a Joseph Rodriguez pic of a east la gangmember showing their kid how to hold a gun.

 

[BellaCouture]

thats the whole point, seems like a very ironic reaction, quite fresh and fun the way i see this

Don't get me wrong I do understand that it's a little like making fun of them because they look like this
But It really was my first reaction (I live in a country where we don't have this at all) I'd never seen it before
I think they look like h**kers and I feel sorry for them Not just the clothes but the make up!!! And whatever is left of the eyebrows horrible

 

[ApertureRomance]

^ Lena, Ale is the most knowledgable probably- he is near Hialeah afterall I'm in LA, its a bit different here...more cholas than chongas.

Well Aperture, I guess I'll be more serious and touch base on chola gang culture and the difference with chongas later then. Too tired to explain now, but maybe it clears things up for people? Great suggestion, Esteban is great. Maybe we need a photography thread for gang culture? It might be touchy to do because some of the photos might be deemed inappropriate, drug use and violence...but really... Some of the photos are striking and really makes you think and there are other aspects too...pictures that capture gang loyalty and aspects of family and brotherhood to the gang...one that still disturbs me is a Joseph Rodriguez pic of a east la gangmember showing their kid how to hold a gun.

I find it fascinating how style becomes like a uniform , the way it speaks to people. I didn't think there was a difference between chola and chonga style just pure geographics? The photo you speak of is scary ! I find it interesting how aspects of American culture and style get adopted by I guess what you'd refer to here as chavs.

 

[saann]

I would love to see this interpreted on catwalks and in high fashion magazines

maybe it can come out looking a bit like this (make-up mostly
L.A.M.B ss06
style.com

 

[SomethingElse]

Chola is associated with Los Angeles / San Diego. Chonga is in Miami, mostly. Although the styles are similar, they aren't exactly the same, and it is the language of the chonga that is most distinctive.

I think it's important for sub cultures in the US to explore and maintain an identity instead of being sucked into the same old waspy mainstream. Chona/chonga may not be my style, but I respect the rebellion and self-determination of the trend.

 

[saann]

I'm not so aquainted with these styles as I've only ever seen them when they're potrayed in movies and TV

so the L.A.M.B pics.. is that Chola or Chonga?

 

[jennifer~]

I'm not so aquainted with these styles as I've only ever seen them when they're potrayed in movies and TV

so the L.A.M.B pics.. is that Chola or Chonga?

The makeup and nails appear to be a look that both share, though Gwen Stefani has stated in numerous interviews that she's taken influence from the chola style of Southern California, where she grew up. Also the home of pyschobilly (something I'd define as punk-rockabilly-revival, in former terms), which Gwen additionally has adapted, the California area seems a breeding ground for pompadours, Monroe piercings and numerous tattoos, which I'd say are more prevalent among cholas than chongas. (Incidentally, I've wanted a Monroe for awhile, and I'm still contemplating it... )

 

[saann]

Thanks for the info =D

 

[brian]

I would love to see this interpreted on catwalks and in high fashion magazines

john galliano touched on the subject of cholas in his spring 2002 "street chic" collection for dior...

firstview

 

[brian]

^ Lena, Ale is the most knowledgable probably- he is near Hialeah afterall I'm in LA, its a bit different here...more cholas than chongas.

definitely.....

i'm in san antonio... definitely *****/chola territory.

lowriders, la virgen de guadalupe...

 

[TheKiwi]

This thread has me absolutely fascinated. This is truly one of the most unique "trends" out there! Not like I'd wear it, but it is totally original.

 

[Lena]

The makeup and nails appear to be a look that both share, though Gwen Stefani has stated in numerous interviews that she's taken influence from the chola style of Southern California, where she grew up. Also the home of pyschobilly (something I'd define as punk-rockabilly-revival, in former terms), which Gwen additionally has adapted, the California area seems a breeding ground for pompadours, Monroe piercings and numerous tattoos, which I'd say are more prevalent among cholas than chongas. (Incidentally, I've wanted a Monroe for awhile, and I'm still contemplating it... )

amazing story, thanks so much for sharing

TheKiwi This thread has me absolutely fascinated. This is truly one of the most unique "trends" out there! Not like I'd wear it, but it is totally original.

same here, love exploring this trend, it's exotic and tribal which makes it real

 

[saann]

I think that this is a trend where you really have to have the attitude and the lifestyle to pull it off

ofcourse you can always pic out details from it

but wearing it completely just because it might be in just screams 'fashion victim' to me