Does one need to be a hip-hopper to wear sean john

I'm siding with your wife, sorry. Unfortunately, branded clothing comes with marketed images firmly attached - and a good part of your money goes to buying that image, despite all anyone's protestations to the contrary. Unless you are black or in the 15-25 demographic, I wouldn't recommend Sean John. But if you must, you'd better be prepared to hip hop it up.

While I agree with LAG for the most part (ALL designer gear is about image, why else do Dolce & Gabbana jeans cost $250 and Levi's $50?), if you're going to wear the SJ shirt with other stuff, it can work. I was given a button up, print SJ shirt which I've worn with a navy blazer and 501s and it looked OK, though it was mostly covered up. Up close, you wouldn't know it was a SJ shirt. However, if worn how it was meant to be worn (flaunted flash style) it would not work. That's the problem I have with hip hop style in general. It's all logo-wear, there's no sophistication at all.