Cholo is a term used to refer to a Mexican American gang subculture that originated in South California’s barrio street gangs. Its hallmarks are characteristic demeanor, clothing, makeup, speech patterns, tattoos, hand signals, and graffiti. Cholos are often recognized by their black liquid eyeliner, skinny eyebrows, and dark lipstick; wearing oversized T-shirts and visored hats; and riding lowrider cars.
A cholo haircut is a variation on the Edgar cut made famous by Assault on Precinct 13. Usually worn by dark-skinned Latinos, it features a long top and fade styling with distinctive graffiti-inspired lines for added flare. Cholo culture has been integrated into music by musicians. Its characteristic street-tough look with composite oversized T-shirts and visored hats has helped spread this subculture across hip-hop audiences, inspiring rappers like Vato Loco and Lil Rob Down to style their hair similarly.
Chola aesthetics feature bold hairstyles with razor-thin eyebrows and classy eyes, popular among Latino communities and used as an expression of identity. Cholo culture also signifies values such as loyalty and respect; part of its subculture involves leaning back with arms extended while making fists tilt the body back and forth, known as leaning the cholo lean.
The cholo style is frequently associated with Hispanic gangsters from Southern California; however, its influence can be found elsewhere, such as Texas and South Florida. The use of plaid flannel shirts often distinguishes it.
Cholo is a Mexican term referring to young people who identify with gang subculture. Their characteristic demeanor, clothing, music, and graffiti have gained worldwide renown and were further popularized by the 1979 neo-noir film Boulevard Nights, which depicts East Los Angeles street gang life. Cholo-influenced fashion and slang have even been taken up by hip-hop artists.
A cholo haircut consists of long, textured hair on top and short taper fade on the sides – commonly known as Edgar Cut or Mexican Caesar – styled with short taper fade. To achieve this style, you should visit your barber for a scissor cut with either a high or low fade and a scissor finish back for your cut and texture service. For best results, ask them to texture your hair for added dimension.
Ask your barber to create a fade or taper style tailored to the features and shape of your face. A fade or taper style will make your hair appear fuller while accentuating facial structures and characteristics.
The Cholo haircut has quickly become one of Saigon’s signature hairstyles, inspiring several new barbershops, such as Brothers and House of Barbaard, to open in response. Their high standards for their clients ensure they experience professional grooming services while offering both traditional and contemporary hairstyles.
Cholo style encompasses characteristics of demeanor, clothing, speech patterns, tattoos, and hand signals associated with street gang members in Southern California’s barrio street gangs, later spreading across Texas, Southern Florida, and the Bay Area. Cholos such as Vato Loco and Lil Rob Down have gained great renown among American Latino youths.
The cholo haircut has become increasingly fashionable, though some critics perceive its classist nature. Some consider young men wearing Edgar cuts to be lower class and less educated, while others see this trend as rasquachismo – which refers to discrimination against dark-skinned Latinos.
