INSPIRATION: Half-Pint, the Gamma Phi Gamma fraternity pledge played by Spike Lee in his 1988 film, School Daze. The semi-autobiographical take on campus life at a historically black college tends to be overlooked among Lee’s oeuvre, even though it foreshadowed A Different World (and half of that Cosby Show–spinoff cast appears here). Given that this is a Spike Lee joint, identity politics divide the campus, with the light-skinned frat boys and girls (dubbed “Wannabees”) pitted against the dark-skinned conscious brothers and sisters (“Jigaboos”). Critics groused over Lee’s essentialist and misogynist perspective, but the enthusiastic musical numbers (like the West Side Story showdown “Straight and Nappy”) are matched by the era’s new jack swing style.
Half-Pint idolizes Julian, the “Big Brother All Migh-tee” of G-Phi, who has a militant taste for black jodhpurs. Unfortunately, the aspiring Gamma man spends much of the film in hazing uniform — shaved head and dog collar — with the rest of his wardrobe comprised of appropriate campus staples: zipped-up black bomber and comfy gray hoodie.
Cheap Monday “Nic” jacket, $135, available at Show Room (278B Queen W., 416-977-3888, www.theshow-room.com), Zara Man hoodie sweater, $59.90, available at Zara (50 Bloor W., 416-916-2401, www.zara.com).
Of course, School Daze kept it street by launching two dance crazes: DC Go-Go legends E.U. taught everyone “Da Butt” (considered the house-party jam of ’88) during the film’s homecoming dance and the step routine by real-life Black frat Alpha-Phi-Alpha went on to inspire the “running man” dance craze soon after. Who knew? Adidas “GreenStar,” $89.99, available at Adidas Originals Toronto (389 Queen W., 416-915-5536, www.adidas.com/originals).
Both Half-Pint and Julian rock Jazz Age–inspired spectacles, a classy throwback matched by School Daze’s original jazz score by Spike Lee’s father, Bill Lee. The bassist recorded on the influential ’70s jazz label Strata-East Records, and played with musicians like Aretha Franklin and Bob Dylan (catch him on Bringing It All Back Home). “Wolf Forty” light orange tortoise eyeglasses, $420, available at Rapp Optical (788 College, 416-537-6590, www.rapplimited.com).