In addition to revolutionizing East Coast rap, the Notorious Big ignited a certified urban fashion trend with his love for colorful Coogi Sweaters:
Founded in Australia in 1969, Coogi counted Bill Cosby amongst its initial fans in the 1980s:
Perhaps inspired by the upper middle class Cliff Huxtable, Christopher Wallace, aka Biggie Smalls or Notorious Big, reappropriated the trend in the early 90′s, wearing the expensive, intricately patterned knits in promotional pictures and even rapping about the brand in songs, saying “Living better now, Coogi sweater now” and “I stay Coogi down to the socks, rings and watch filled with rocks“:
The brand enjoyed unrivaled success in that era, as college aged men and women wore the label in variations that included cardigans and form fitting dresses:
Coogi isn’t quite as popular as it was in the early 90′s, though the company still produces t-shirts, jeans, jackets, and footwear in addition to its signature knitwear.
Do you have any Coogi sweater memories?
Maybe I’m delirious, but I’d rock a Coogi dress today…why not? Would you? If so, visit www.shopcoogi.com.
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February 5, 2010 7:58 am
I’ve always liked those sweaters.
February 5, 2010 10:50 am
A few years ago my brother’s date wore a Coogi sweater to my brother’s friend’s wedding. Fail on her behalf.
February 5, 2010 11:47 am
oh gosh no not to a wedding! lol i can’t do the dress…for some reason the dress seems kindda hoodrat/ highschoolist (when u dont know any better). I would definately rock the sweater version with some skinnies and booties tho
February 5, 2010 12:03 pm
I almost want to go out and find me a Coogie cardigan…for real. Damn this post!
February 5, 2010 12:43 pm
LOL @ Les! Oh no!
I wouldn’t rock a Coogi today; just a lil’ too high school for me.
February 5, 2010 9:56 pm
Coogi memories? Girl bye – don’t you live in the South! This is still thriving!!!! lmao
February 6, 2010 5:51 am
I’m pretty sure he Biggie said “Gucci” in both lines referenced. Still, great job recognizing a classic.
February 6, 2010 12:29 pm
@Soft…ok!? I’m from Florida and my kinfolks still rock Coogi. It’s too warm for the sweaters, but my teenage cousins rock Coogi jeans and t-shirts heavily.
February 6, 2010 1:39 pm
@DougEcks:
Biggie was saying “Coogi” both times in the lyrics mentioned. Plus, if he wore Coogi sweaters on a regular basis, why would he mention a Gucci sweater?
February 8, 2010 12:56 am
I think its possible to rock the Coogi sweater in 2010, considering the resurgence of 80s and 90s fashion. I can envision girls rocking baggy fit Coogi sweaters with cinch belts, leggings, booties, and bad azz hair. I would do it…*off to raid my older cousin’s closet*
February 8, 2010 1:25 am
@hiphopmuse That sounds FIERCE!
February 9, 2010 5:49 am
Coogi is a great culture icon! I’ll have to get some of those sweaters… cool post.
February 10, 2010 1:37 am
@sun.kissed…I was thinking the same thing!!
The sweater that shorty has on in the pic with Jada is so cute, I love the color.
February 25, 2010 10:48 am
Biggie said ” living better now COOGI Sweater now” and “I stay Gucci down to the socks” but yeah i LOVE the sweaters and anything that you do because someone else is doing it is kind a corny but since no one’s wearing them now it’d definitely be “boss” to wear one right now before it becames a trend again… i only found this post now cuz i was trying to buy one to wear with either an all jeans outfit or a nice pair of either charcoal gray/blue jeans and yes timbs and as “highschoolish” as it sounds or may seem those were actually simpler times and cosby was a doctor and he wore his why should someone wearing them now feel ashamed of liking to be unique and enjoying a wearable piece of art cuz that’s what they definitly are
May 5, 2010 8:13 pm
I’m going to be the best man at my brother’s wedding this month. I was planning on digging up a Coogi sweater and doing my best Bill Cosby impression during the toast. The style is timeless.
June 8, 2011 7:38 pm
I was a designer @ Coogi in Australia in the late 90s. On a couple of visits to USA, I was amazed at how popular the knitwear & denim wear was!
I still have lots of Coogi T’s, denim, knitwear & leather jackets in my wardrobe that I don’t wear. maybe it’s time to sell them on ebay….
September 23, 2011 12:44 am
I have a couple of solid color coogies and I also have a couple of multicolored coogies. I am a hardcore coogi collector ( the originals, not that ish that is out now). If you have any origanl coogi and want to sell it/them post on this page and er can talk business.
October 28, 2011 2:22 am
I am looking for the coofi coogi hat that i saw Jim Brown wearing in several interviews.
November 30, 2012 8:30 pm
Hideous! Wouldn’t be caught dead in one! And then some!
December 9, 2012 10:42 pm
To the person who posted that biggie said gucci, not coogi…your an idiot