Then Shawn Stussy signed his surf boards and decided to print graphic t-shirts with the same signature, and the Californian surfers bought his t-shirts to look rad while they held up their longboards after catching some waves. Mix in a little bit of Japanese urban influence, and there you go, streetwear style was born.

Over 70% of millennials consider streetwear brands as their preferred clothing style. But who are the best streetwear brands from the UK, USA, Europe and Japan and how did they get so popular in the fashion world?

Our editor put it very nicely in our history of streetwear guide where he suggested that the music videos of MTV were the main reason it went global as it spread its reach over the world. Youth culture was influenced by people singing about the swag life, now people were seeing it. Pans People on Top of the Tops did not have the same influencer effect. He believes music and streetwear will forever be entwined.

And now we are now firmly in an era of luxury designer streetwear brands which dominate this list. This is fine if you like spending big money on a branded hoodie designed by the same fashion designers as the luxury fashion houses. Not so good if you are struggling to pay your energy bills, extortionate London rent, and stretch your meagre writers’ salary to cover your food costs. But hey, this is the price we pay for looking stylish and on-trend.

The problem with these editorials is they pretty much cover the same USA streetwear brands on repeat. In some cases, this is fair as they influenced so much and deserve recognition. And this is evident that their history is so intertwined and many of their designers have gone on to be creative directors at the big haute couture fashion houses.

By compiling a list of the top streetwear clothing brands we have to follow the definition which is of the most excellent or desirable type or quality. And with high-quality comes a higher price point, and usually better agents, PR, high-profile influencers and marketing. And in terms of streetwear, our working definition is clothing worn by urban youth culture.

But if you do want to know the low-key clothing brands you’ve never heard of or have seen on Instagram, you probably need to look at our A-Z of streetwear brands rather than this list.

In the meantime, we’ll cover some of the same big hypebeast names everyone else does. Just in our unique cynical but informative style, and put in a few more British brands for good measure.

So this is the incredibly catchy ultimate list of most popular and best streetwear brands in the world for your urban wardrobe essentials you should shop and cop right now in 2022 (in alphabetical order & may contain affiliate links so I can eat) © ™ 

A Bathing Ape (BAPE)

• Origin: Japan
• Founded: 1993

Japanese heavy-weights BAPE is the top of most lists of streetwear brands thanks to their clever use of the letter A. The lifestyle and street wear brand was founded in 1993 by DJ Nigo (aka Tomoaki Nagao), with it’s signature ape logo reminiscent of the 1968 Planet of the Apes film that inspired the name and Bape Sta (a star on their shoes, much like converse but with a lighting bolt).

Being a hip-hop DJ enabled NIGO to not only get his brand on the backs of mega superstars like Kanye West, but after selling BAPE lead to starting up Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream footwear with Pharrell Williams. While staying on with BAPE until recently, he is now creative director at Kenzo. Not bad for someone who does not speak a word of English.

The clothing label does merit a high placing though, it’s always had a Japanese utilitarian styling vibe and bold colourful designs were trail-blazing. The many high profile collaborations gave the successful blueprint for the likes of Supreme and Hype to copy.

With trainers costing over $300 and T-shirts ranging from $117-$250 you got to want it as the official website clearly states all sales are final and cancellations and returns not possible. So it’s best to use a UK website to get that long distance selling regulations cover on items you’ve not seen let alone tried on.

End Clothing have a good range of BAPE in a selection of sizes and accept returns (free delivery on orders over £150), so are a far better choice for UK residents for online shopping and delivery. As we (and many others) have had positive experiences with the retailer, we have linked to them. Other retailers are available.

Shop Now at End.

A Cold Wall

• Origin: London, England
• Founded: 2015

A-COLD-WALL* was founded in 2015 by the London-based designer Samuel Ross, a one-time assistant of OFF-WHITE founder Virgil Abloh who’s influences are evident in marketing and design.

ACW is modern minimalist luxury menswear, made with high-quality materials like 100% 240gsm cotton on the essential tees. Mixing high-performance fabrics with artisan hand-finished techniques delivers quality garments not to be mistaken for a high-street knock-off. Often oversized silhouettes, the price point may raise eyebrows but you get the what you pay for.

Collaborations with Converse, Dr Martens and Beats by Dre prove they must be doing something right.

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Adidas

• Origin: Herzogenaurach, Germany
• Founded: 1924/1949

The German sportswear label date back to 1924 when brothers Adolf and Rudolf Dassler making running shoes as the imaginatively named Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory.

They famously fell out in 1949 and went their sperate ways with Adolf on one side of the Bavarian town’s river in his Adidas factory, and Rudolf establishing business rival Puma. Their spate continued to death, where they are buried as far apart as possible in the town cemetery.

The three stripes of Adidas are arguably more famous and is the largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe, and West Germany’s success wearing his football boots in the 1954 World Cup final helped make the sports brand an international name. And in 1967 the Franz Beckenbauer tracksuit moved them beyond shoes into mainstream sportswear.

Adi Dassler died in 1978 when many people think streetwear style was in it’s infancy, and why are they on this list? Well in 1986 Run-D.M.C released a song titled My Adidas. And you can’t cite hip-hop as spawning a dress style about smart casual clothes, and then ignore the fact one of the biggest 80’s groups in that genre were not just wearing the brand, but singing about it without sponsorship or endorsement.

Even 100 years after Adi Dassler started thinking about trainers, they are still in many sneaker collections and the older streetwear fanatics tend to continue to revere them.

And they are not alone, with Adidas and Nike responsible for approximately 45% of all streetwear sales worldwide, thanks to also selling styles like cargo pants, dresses, leggings, socks, sweatshirts, beanies, shorts, trousers and other options as well as their retro tracksuits and trainers.

Their styles are still fashion forward, and being a large leisurewear brand, they will always have a market share across generations for both men and women. Everyone has some Adidas in their wardrobe, and if you don’t, it’s an easy fix to level up your streetwear apparel game.

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Aimé Leon Dore

• Origin: New York, USA
• Founded: 2014

Founded in Queens by Teddy Santis, you’d be forgiven to not knowing of the brand despite it’s London store and high profile collabs with New Era, Puma, New Balance, Woolrich and Porsche. The seasonal collections and lines come with a heavy nod to 80’s retro nostalgia.

The success of ALD has seen designer Santis take a recent creative role at New Balance to oversee their premium Made in USA label.

Shop Now at End.

Billionaire Boys Club

• Origin: USA
• Founded: 2003

It’s hard to pass over Pharrell Williams who shot to fame in 2001 with N.E.R.D and producing a string of hits for the likes of Nelly, Kellis, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z. Often noted for his fashion style, it’s no surprise he is the brainchild of a streetwear clothing brand.

He makes this list as he co-created the Billionaire Boys Club and Ice cream footwear with BAPE founder NIGO, which explains the fusion between American and Japanese aesthetics.

Debuting his new brand in his first solo single Frontin’, it was always going to get exposure, and further collaborations with Jay-Z only strengthened brand awareness. With 3.75M subscribers on YouTube at the time of writing, Williams still has the social reach to push the brand.

It’s pretty expensive so it’s rare to see it worn, but there is no denying their products and accessories are trendy high end.

Pharell has also worked with Louis Vuitton and Moncler on eyewear collections, and partnered with Adidas.

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Carhartt WIP

• Origin: Germany
• Founded: 1994

Firstly lets clarify, Carhartt Inc was founded in 1889 in Michigan USA, making workwear and jackets and still runs today.

Edwin and Salomée Faeh of Germany were given a license to have their own line of clothing in 1994 under the label Carhartt Work In Progress (WIP).

The streetwear label has the same rugged quality with a skateboarding and graffiti influence, and has collaborated with BAPE and Vetements among others.

Shop Now at End.

Cav Empt

• Origin: Tokyo, Japan
• Founded: 2011

When NIGO sold A Bathing Ape, ex-designer SK8THING and Brit Toby Feltwell decided to go alone and C.E was born. Named from the Latin caveat emptor, the brand is full of sci-fi inspired designs and some are bright and colourful graphics so not everyone’s cup of tea, but iconic streetwear clothing none the less.

Either way, the Japanese label has a collection of bold prints that are sure to garner some attention and turn some heads. The brand have gained plaudits in the fashion industry and contemporary streetwear scene.

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Converse

• Origin: USA
• Founded: 1908

If you want to make a Gen Z misty eyed, just mention the words Converse All-Stars, which at one point were the most sought-after shoes in history. The style was introduced in 1918, and after many years of being the official footwear of the NBA, it exploded into modern popularity in the 1980’s.

As always it was music that drove the clamour, with fashion icons Kurt Cobain and Guns N Roses leading the grunge and rock revolution. They are still available to buy for any nostalgia fuelled millennial with a love of the sneaker culture.

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Criminal Damage

• Origin: London, England
• Founded: 1991

Criminal Damage have been a mainstay in East London for decades for the alternative crowd and the UK punk scene. Focusing on denim, they soon expanded into a signature style for goths, hipsters, punks, skaters and hip-hop fans in the UK capital. Sunny Aytan still owns the independent streetwear label, and takes inspiration from retro fashion fused with modern trends.

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Heron Preston

• Origin: New York
• Founded: 2016

The eponymous label by Heron Preston Johnson, a creative director and designer for Nike and Kanye West. Preston has also worked alongside streetwear alumni Virgil Abloh of Off-White and his own label is known for signature bright orange branding and stylish designs.

Shop Now at End. 

Hype

• Origin: Leicester, England
• Founded: 2011

Every British school kids favourite brand was started by friends Liam Greene and Aidy Lennox when they won a Printing Firms Facebook competition. The entry was a reimagined image of Albert Einstein and as a prize they had free run of 150 screen print tees to kick start their business venture.

Now the once underground brand’s history is forgotten as Hype’s back to school sale sees huge turnover but the clothing brand are more than bags and water bottles. Their summer 2022 collection of streetwear styles had a clear street style vibe and using 11 Degrees Josh Flannery as a model is likely a more aggressive and ambitious move into the urban fashion market.

With a host of high-profile endorsements including Jay-Z and 50 Cent, and collaborations with Disney, Star Wars and more, their platform is global.

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Manière De Voir

• Origin: Manchester, England
• Founded: 2014

Maniere De Voir has been the most popular streetwear brand in the UK for a few years and is still growing, effortlessly combining contemporary designs with fashion week worthy streetwear.

MDV was started up by former footballer Reece Warbara with the help of Ben Francis and Lewis Morgan of Gym Shark, it’s only a matter of time before they are internationally recognised as one of the top street style brands.

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New Era

• Origin: Buffalo, USA
• Founded: 1920

Baseball caps are synonymous with streetwear, and no-one comes close to rivalling the dominance of the New Era Cap company with their status as official partner to all of the major sports leagues in the US.

It’s not just their dominance of the headwear market, they genuinely make superior caps and as such often manufacturer for the big clothing labels.

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Nike

• Origin: Oregon, USA
• Founded: 1964

When you think of fashion forward luxury sportswear or streetwear labels, it’s unlikely Nike will be first to come to mind. But the OG sports label swoosh logo and slogan (Just Do It) is more recognisable than any other brand on this list. So I do find it ironic that the editor insists on calling them Nike (rhyming with like) rather than the correct pronunciation Nikey (rhyming with likey)

Name aside (and skipping past they were called Blue Ribbon originally), Nike Air Jordan’s are another footwear staple for the streetwear style, but their clothing is now more in keeping with their urban fashion rivals with t-shirts and tracksuits and more.

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Off-White

• Origin: Milan
• Founded: 2013

American Off-White founder Virgil Abloh was in the Fendi internship class of 2009 with Kanye West. His time at the Italian Fashion house carved the path as he joined West’s Donda creative agency before starting high-end streetwear brand Off-White.

Abloh previously studied as an architect, so his use of clean diagonal stripes were a key signature design in the streetwear brands clothing line. His obvious talent led to being appointed the first African-American artistic director at Louis Vuitton in 2018.

This was streetwear that hit the Paris fashion week runways, and collaborated with a host of big-name brands and designers, which pushed a sale in 2019 before LVMH took controlling shares in 2021.

Abloh sadly passed away in November 2021, aged just 41.

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Palace

• Origin: London, England
• Founded: 2009

Palace Skateboards make the list as Lev Tanju’s clothing line is the most famous UK skate apparel brand. The designs are dripping with 90s nostalgia and pop culture influence, but the skate label are not the force they once were regardless of what the cool kids think.

Of course they still deserve a place on any reputable list of street brands.

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Patta

• Origin: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Founded: 2004

Patta is our first European representation and the Dutch streetwear and sneaker store was founded by Surinamese friends Gee Schmidt and Edson Sabajo. The boutique started by selling imported trainers, hence the name Patta which Suriname street slang for sneakers.

The European streetwear brand evolved and grew into a powerhouse with a cult following, and collabs with Nike, Vans and Asics gave them global exposure.

Shop Now at End.

Sik Silk

• Origin: Scarborough, England
• Founded: 2012

This inclusion will surprise and annoy the sneaker and streetwear world snobs. But Sik Silk have done something no-one else has on this list, and brought affordable streetwear to the British high-streets and to a collaborative collection with Leo Messi. Palace might have built a cult following within the skate board community, but the boys from unfashionable Scarborough kickstarted the mass appeal for big logo tees, all from their bedroom.

Streetwear is casual clothing for urban playgrounds, and on British streets you will be far more likely to see Sik Silk than other brands on this list.

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Stone Island

• Origin: Italy
• Founded: 1982

Stone Island will likely also spark some vitriol from puritans. If streetwear is defined by a casual clothing style worn by urban youth subcultures, then the Italian clothing brand merits it’s place with it’s adulation from the UK football culture. And so they should love it, the high quality all-weather jackets are popular for a reason for the outdoors.

Partnerships with Supreme and Drake and a takeover by Moncler have taken them to the next level, and they continue to churn out great designs. Their place on a list of best streetwear brands might be up for debate, but the quality workmanship of their jackets is not.

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Stüssy

• Origin: California, USA
• Founded: 1980’s

Undisputed streetwear legend Shawn Stüssy was a popular figure on the California surf and Laguna Beach skate scene, selling sold graphic tees with his signature that was applied to his custom boards. The clothing was a side hustle, but spread to the American skateboard community in LA and New York.

Inspired by global trendsetters he now rolled with, the music and fashion collective played a big part in designs and reach. The surf and skate apparel brand became the streetwear staple internationally to inspire so many in the space.

Considered the first real streetwear label with his reasonable pricing and limited stock in select stores, he sold up in 1996 but it continues to thrive and influence as the one of streetwear’s most iconic names.

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Supreme

• Origin: New York, USA
• Founded: 1994

Founded by Brit James Jebbia who had worked at Stussy’s NYC store, it’s fair to say New York’s Supreme iconic status remains as the most talked about streetwear brands with their canny hype of limited edition collections.

Supreme New York are more than just the coolest kids clothing collections imbedded in streetwear culture. The Supreme box logo hoodies are a staple of the cool kids, and the limited drops sell out in minutes.

Supreme, one of the most popular streetwear brands, has collaborated with over 100 different artists and designers, ensuring exclusive designs. Their outerwear pieces are probably the most common on the actual streets of the UK cities.

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VETEMENTS

• Origin: Switzerland
• Founded: 2014

Demna and Guram Gvasalia’s brand found fame after Gosha Rubchinsky went viral with the DHL t shirt in the SS16 show mainly on it’s eye-watering price of €245. Named after the French word for clothing, the brand has a wealth of celebrity fans, which helps drive awareness (and orders).

Shop Now at End.

Weekend Offender

• Origin: Wales
• Founded: 2004

I really want to include Welsh brand Weekend Offender for the same reasons as Stone Island and Sik Silk. Starting as a small graphic tee brand graphic, their urban garments played a big part in British youth culture and deserve a mention for what they have done for the British streetwear scene.

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Other top streetwear brands

Honourable mentions go to the following streetwear brands and I will write these up too at some point:

• New Balance
• CDG Play
• HUF
• Kith
• The Hundreds
• Undefeated
• Undercover
• WTAPS
• Neighbourhood
• Awake NY
• Brain Dead
• Cactus Plant Flea Market
• FUBU
• Golf Wang

What countries produce the best Streetwear Brands?

Clothing manufacturing is a global business, but our most iconic streetwear brands list is made up of the United States. the Far East and Europe.

Last point, there are some affiliate links in this, which is the same for the other articles from other sites you’ve probably visited. This just means if you buy something we get a small percentage from the retailer at no charge for you.

Streetwear has pushed the boundaries of fashion and continues to challenge traditional notions of style and beauty. It has become an integral part of the fashion industry, influencing everything from the way we dress to the way we think about fashion. As streetwear continues to grow and evolve, it is sure to have an even greater impact on the fashion industry in the years to come.

What is streetwear style clothing?

Streetwear is defined by the fashion industry as trendy, casual clothes with pop culture influences that are worn by young fashionistas who are members of a particular subculture (such as hip-hop fans, skateboarders, or surfers) who reside in urban areas. It was a casual clothing trend that originally gained popularity in the 1990s It includes casual yet fashionable attire like graphic tees, hoodies, sweatpants, and pricey trainers.

It is also difficult to define what constitutes streetwear fashion considering that the idea of subculture is extremely subjective and has a wide spectrum of inspirations from sports, music, haute couture, quick fashion, and K-Pop.

Additionally, the streetwear customer base is equally diversified, encompassing all socioeconomic classes and the largest cities on the planet. As a result, streetwear encompasses more than just expensive t-shirts with logos, baggy hoodies, and hip sneakers.

Long before the term ‘streetwear’ made an appearance in our everyday lingo, the movement was already flourishing. It was a long way from being mainstream, but it thrived and grew through small exchanges in downtown LA and New York. In the 1970s and early 80s, initiation to the streetwear aficionado club might have come easily – by way of a simple nod from someone spotting your drip and you spotting theirs. Uptown and in high society, there were similar exchanges occurring — except the buy-in was the most expensive of luxury handbags.

How has street culture changed over time?

Early history

The evolution of street culture was formed in the 20^th century but never had a significant impact on fashion until after World War II. People were able to enjoy the higher end of clothing as their incomes grew and icons such as Pierre Balmain and Christian Dior were able to influence the freedom of exploration associated with street style.

At that period, a single high-fashion company dominated the “street style” appearance of icons. Women generally wore a long circle skirt and a fitted jacket with broad shoulders and a tapered waist, which was the “new look” created by Christian Dior.

This replaced the utility appearance of the time of war by emphasising the female figure. Utilizing the abundance of fabric that had been rare during the war, this hourglass shape was created.

Street style and the fashion business had a close relationship throughout the 20th century. Authenticity and the need to communicate a purposeful aim are two factors that are connected to the street style’s early roots.

The street style evolution in the middle of the 20th century was somewhat distinct from the more recent stages. They differ in terms of the way of buying and the view of fashion in general.

Street fashion has developed into a significant sector of the mass fashion business from a common social practice adopted by specific sociocultural groupings. This process took a very long time, and there were significant social, cultural, and economic changes as well.

The general expansion of popular culture was impacted by the anarchy that followed World War II. People desired to depart from the well-known conventional style throughout that time. As a result, many subcultures emerged, each with their own distinct styles, such as hippies, bikers, goths, and punks.

Social media popularity

Hip-hop, skateboarding, and social media all contributed to the popularity of streetwear, which made it much more eye-catching and daring. It includes blending colours, prints, and styles that you would not usually wear in public, as well as baggy clothing, casual T-shirts, and sneakers.

The platform Instagram, a popular mobile application for uploading and sharing pictures on the internet, has surged into popularity in recent years and it has remained an important platform for street style amateurs and photographers who have gained thousands of followers.

Instagram has also been a platform that enables fluid and easy activity sharing useful for anyone looking to establish a personal brand or share life experiences with friends. But as time has gone on, it has become not only a platform but a community that offers space to anybody interested in any field.

Users can always update themselves on the latest changes and trends in streetwear. Also, street style photographers can benefit from its popularity as a new world of media coverage that previously wasn’t available.

Youth Culture Streetwear

Hip-hop, social networking, and skateboarding culture have all seen a rise in the popularity of streetwear. People’s definitions of street style vary. It might be informal, entertaining, or a mixture of cultures, or it might be about music and the development of many styles.

Street style has been significantly influenced by youth culture. Big businesses are now inspired by it because they formerly found it difficult to stay competitive. Major designers increasingly see street style as high fashion and major luxury brands took years to develop luxury streetwear. Unlike other types of fashion, street style embraces a wide variety of dressing styles rather than just one.

Is streetwear a luxury?

The conventional fashion system has been overturned by the streetwear model, which is now mostly linked with exclusivity. Even though not all streetwear is regarded as “luxury,” the style is gaining traction in the high-end market and is increasingly perceived as a cultural status symbol that Generations Y and Z are attracted to.

Streetwear has approached exclusivity in a different way, since exclusivity is typically something linked with pricey things that not everyone can purchase. The original demand was caused by the fact that few people in the formative years knew how or where to find the best clothing. Getting their hands on unique clothing has always been important for wearers for whom style and individuality are crucial.

Streetwear has gone mainstream where luxury designer fashion houses have seen the perfect opportunity to design high-priced, exclusive, and unique clothing and accessories that are not available for everyone.

Streetwear continues to draw inspiration from the skate, surf, and hip hop subcultures and is still an alternative to more mainstream fashion trends today. In the past, casual clothing would never have been considered to be luxurious or exclusive, but there has been a complete reversal of this impression.

Buyers have also realised that purchasing high-end, exclusive clothing is an intelligent investment for the future. Many have spotted an opportunity where there is a selection of streetwear pieces that are in limited supply which has majorly increased the resell value of them.

Streetwear appears to have a secure place in the fashion industry as top brands continue to leverage influencer marketing and team up with celebrities in an effort to elevate their prestige and desirability even further. Some of the most successful urban businesses have demonstrated that they understand exactly how to relate to younger consumers which might teach mainstream brands and conventional luxury fashion houses how it’s done.

The street fashion seen in different cities also differs, with Tokyo’s styles being very different from those in New York or London. But to make things simple, we’ve outlined the primary categories of what is considered streetwear along with their distinguishing features, components, and brands. These are Hip Hop Fashion, Skatewear, Techwear, High fashion and Athleisure.

Hip Hop Fashion

Hip Hop can be credited with pushing streetwear style to the masses (certainly our editor believes so and he’s old enough for it to be first hand experience). MTV was launched in 1981 in the USA and 1987 in the UK and Europe and into the homes of the younger generation to the glee of the fashion industry.

Certainly California surf and skate scene played a big part in the history of streetwear, but NWA and Run DMC were rapping about it and wearing it in the 1980’s long before most websites and so called experts say streetwear culture was even defined. In truth, if you are defining streetwear as a style defined from what young people are wearing in urban areas, then this goes back even further.

Hip hop culture was Baseball caps, durags, baggy jeans, and dripping with bling. Retro hip hip style was high tops and Adidas tracksuits and Calvin Klein underwear.

Skatewear

As the name suggests, the global skateboarding culture helped make this style popular. This fashion comes from California, the state where skater culture first emerged. When surfers needed something to do when there were no waves to ride, they invented skateboarding. As a result, the American surfer style’s easy-going, casual looks captured effortlessly by original streetwear brands like Stussy. They prioritised graphic T-shirts, baseball caps, and shorts heavily influenced the skate streetwear style at first.

Although streetwear fashion has changed since then, its fundamental principles and laid-back vibe have remained the same. The most authentic version of skate fashion is summer, with the major styles including graphic tees, baseball caps, wide-leg shorts, and the iconic skate shoes: Vans. The attire is still laid-back in the winter, but includes hoodies, baggy cargo pants, flannels, and beanies. The aim is to achieve a carefree, unique aesthetic that, regardless of the climate, captures the carefree mood of a Californian summer.

Typically, skate style incorporates humour or pop culture references via slogan baseball caps or graphic T-shirts. The most important thing about this style is how much freedom you can have with it. This gives the aesthetic a wonderfully friendly and enjoyable feel and that common streetwear brands vibe.

Techwear

Techwear is a cutting-edge fashion trend that has gained popularity recently in streetwear clothing and emphasises both style and utility. In essence, it takes very practical items like military vests and cargo pants and gives them a sleek modern spin by styling them with lux fabrics and/or a contemporary colour palette like blacks and greys.

These items’ functionality is inspired by sportswear and outdoor clothing. As a result, techwear comes in a wide variety of shapes and materials, including technical vests and GORE-TEX. Techwear is frequently pricey, especially important parts like a hardshell jacket, due to its emphasis on high-quality materials, functionality, and a sleek modern look such as Stone Island.

However, you can get cheaper techwear designs by sticking to a monochromatic colour scheme with sportswear or outdoor-inspired embellishments and by shopping around and pairing with streetwear labels.

Sports retailers like Nike and Adidas are another wonderful location to purchase; focus on their all-black alternatives or find apparel with few colours and trademarks. The bottoms, backpacks, shirts, and shoes you can purchase in these shops all fit the techwear aesthetic.

Finally, a hardshell jacket or another useful yet fashionable jacket is the key component of a techwear fit. It is advised that you wear a lightweight hoodie under a second-hand windbreaker because these can be pricey. This creates a comparable aesthetic without requiring a significant financial investment in a nicely designed hardshell jacket.

High Fashion

Street style high fashion casual clothing, sometimes known as Hypebeast, is currently the most well-liked and important streetwear trend. Hip-hop stars like A$AP Rocky, Migos, Future, Kanye West, and others actively represent and promote this style. Many even include references to their favourite high-end streetwear designers and companies, including Rick Owens and Raf Simons, in their music.

Designer logo wear combined with traditional streetwear staples like trackies, graphic tees, and trainers best describe this look. With so many companies, including Gucci and Prada embracing the streetwear movement and incorporating it into their catwalk designs, there is no shortage of runway inspiration for street fashion these days.

Some haute couture fashion houses even have brought in known streetwear designers as creative directors like Virgil Abloh and Louis Vuitton. This bridged the gap between streetwear and the fashion elite, with collabs merging the two.

However, even more affordable brands of luxury streetwear high fashion, like Palace or Supreme, can cost you more than £100 each, and in some cases even thousands of pounds, due to their reputation as a high fashion and elite style.

For consumers on a smaller budget, it is advised that you avoid displaying brand names and logos and instead focus on finding affordable alternatives to these items, such as Nike trainers, hoodies, ripped jeans, bombers, etc.

Athleisure

Athleisure, which is the newest name for the streetwear style of clothing for working out and casual wear, can be summed up as t-shirts, sweatshirts, gym vests, shorts, caps, joggers, leggings, yoga trousers, trainers, and gym bags.

The growth of athleisure-inspired fashion, including sportswear, clothes, accessories, and fashion trends, is a significant component of the growing trend with streetwear brands like Maniere De Voir blazing a path.

A modern athleisure aesthetic is created by mixing sports shoes, shorts, tank shirts, athletic gear, and other items. It allows you to live an active and relaxed lifestyle simultaneously while yet looking and feeling good in your clothes. Athleisure wear goes perfectly with relaxed dress standards, hectic schedules, and the rising significance of health and wellness since it symbolises a change in your lifestyle.

Like all trends, athleisure is still developing, and today there are practically endless alternatives for fitness attire for athleisure wearers. The ready-to-wear athleisure options on the market are guaranteed to offer the look that most people are looking for, whether you’re searching for an easy option for working out without the stress of a sporting outfit or a more creative appearance that’s equally comfortable and stylish.

Today’s athleisure attire was developed as a result of advancements in textile science that made it possible to use better-performance textiles. The most current fabric utilised, Gore-tex®, has made it possible for clothing to be waterproof and breathable without looking like sportswear.

The textile industry is continually experimenting nowadays, which has led to modifications in athleisure fashion. In recent years, textile experts have created a fabric that reacts to your body’s temperature. It’s the ideal fusion of design and innovation that incorporates the fashion and utility of athleisure.

And tracksuits doesn’t necessarily mean cheap. Some luxury brands like Reiss have introduced an athleisure range.

In addition to wearing these graphic t-shirts, baseball caps and shorts to reflect your skateboarding style, you can also use small accessories to reflect your skateboarding style. For example, necklaces, pins, customized patches and so on.

Among these, custom patches are a great choice, you can choose your favourite pattern to customize, and it can be used to decorate not only your clothes, but also your bag.

Street fashion and streetwear clothing have both been created for the average buyer and celebrities. A journalist or style icon may reference the two forms of fashion to present an idea to their audience. As new trends emerge, time passes, and seasons change, streetwear has become big business and influencing high fashion.

They are two distinct styles that have been gaining popularity in recent years. While they may seem similar at first glance, there is a major difference between street style and streetwear. British streetwear brands tend to cover both, but it’s good to cover them in depth.

What is street style?

Street style, also known as urban style, is all about originality, self-expression, and comfort. It’s the mainstream fashion that is all about wearing what you love and what speaks to you personally.

Hip-hop culture and its clothing’s attraction to the young demographic has led to the development of the street style. Hip-hop reached its pinnacle in the 1990s and gave rise to urban wear as the audience of music lovers found it enticing.

Major clothing companies including haute couture and luxury fashion houses have created a booming urban clothing market. People are attracted to street style because it includes loose-fitting clothing, simple colours, trainers, bold jewellery of all kinds, and a ghetto look that has been transformed into a fashionable, modern look.

Street style clothing as a category has evolved through time into a distinctive look that also reflects personality. It has been described as elegant and alluring. It has always been about the appearance and upscale clothing lines that feature music, culture, and distinctive differences.

In recent years, urban wear has expanded to encompass a larger range of casual clothing, from baggy jeans and loose shirts to workplace clothes, from city streets to suburban areas, and through all ethnic communities.

Companies are working to preserve the unique character of street fashion by targeting mass consumers and branding their goods. As a result, the urban style has grown to be a diverse blend of streetwear, luxury, hip-hop, other genres, and the new age lifestyle.

What is streetwear?

Streetwear style, on the other hand, is much more about trend-driven fashion, with a focus on street culture, hip-hop fashion, and popular youth culture. Streetwear brands often features more branded items and bolder colours and patterns. Both styles have their own unique appeal, so it’s up to the individual to decide which one is right for them.

Usually, the hottest trends are typically taken directly off the runway. As a result, rival retail outlets start to brand the product, which then becomes the latest trendy craze. Daily activities and organised outings like going to work, seeing a movie, going out to lunch or gym are all impacted by street style.

You also have to remember that money is an issue here, because if everyone had the ability to purchase garments off the runway, streetwear would not exist. Streetwear and its style are influential and inspirational to consumers and the world at large. The style does not necessarily reflect the current clothing fashion and trends of the moment.

The main factors influencing the spread of streetwear clothing are social networks and the numerous industry events in which individuals participate. Photos, DIY projects, and articles from magazines and newspapers all serve to inspire people to try their hand at streetwear.

The fashion industry has been impacted by the history and development of both street style and street wear fashion styles. The use of mass social media and living in the digital age has enabled people to openly display their creativity and style, fuelling the hype. Designers, consumers, bloggers, and everyone else are constantly aware of the latest fashions, styles, and themes throughout every season.

What clothes are considered a streetwear style?

Streetwear style typically includes clothing pieces that are inspired by urban culture, street fashion, and youth subcultures. So we are talking:

• Hoodies (commonly oversized or fitted hooded sweatshirts, often featuring bold graphics, logos, or branding)
• T-Shirts (graphic tees with unique designs, slogans, or iconic logos from brands or artists)
• Sneakers (shoes/trainers from popular streetwear brands like Nike, Adidas, Jordan, or Vans)
• Tracksuits and joggers (so comfortable, tapered pants with an elastic waistband, often featuring streetwear-inspired details like zippers, cargo pants pockets, or drawstrings).
• Denim (distressed or ripped jeans, denim jackets, or vests that add an edgy element to the streetwear look).
• Baseball Caps and Beanies (snapback caps, fitted hats, or beanies with logos or embroidered designs, often worn with the brim facing forward or backward)
• Bomber Jacket (lightweight fabric, zip-up jackets with a slightly oversized fit, typically featuring bold colours, patterns, or patches)
• Accessories like socks, bags, sunglasses and jewellery.

Often these are from known Streetwear Brands like Supreme, Off-White, Bape, Palace, Kith, or Stüssy, to more vintage like Nike and Adidas, all are often associated with the streetwear style or the skate parks. And they can range from apparel with an edgy aesthetic to an athleisure style.

Tips for styling streetwear

Streetwear is all about comfortable and casual clothing. Invest in staple pieces like oversized t-shirts, hoodies, joggers, and sneakers. These items provide a solid foundation for building your streetwear outfits.

Streetwear is known for its eclectic and diverse nature. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles and patterns. Mix high-end designer pieces with thrifted finds or vintage items to create a unique and personalized look.

Layering is a common technique in streetwear fashion. Combine different textures and lengths to add depth and interest to your outfit. For example, layer a longline t-shirt under a hoodie and pair it with a bomber jacket or denim jacket.

Accessories play a crucial role in completing a streetwear look. Consider adding a snapback hat, beanie, sunglasses, or a statement chunky necklace to enhance your outfit.

Sneakers are a must-have in streetwear fashion. Invest in a few pairs of trendy trainers in different colours and styles to compliment your colour scheme.

Streetwear is all about the little details that make your outfit stand out. So look for unique prints, embroidery, patches, or logos on your clothing pieces. These small details can make a big difference in your overall look. You can look at old school hip hop stars for inspiration.

Streetwear is a unique style of clothing that combines elements of street culture, sportswear, and high fashion. It is a style that is constantly evolving, blending different elements to create something new and exciting.

Its fusion of different cultural influences, its ability to transcend generations, and its association with celebrities have all played a role in its growing popularity. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a global trend, this is how streetwear became so popular.

How it all started

Although most of the well-known streetwear companies you see now got their start in the 1980s, it wasn’t until recently that they truly began to take off. It was believed that building a fashion brand on a specific persona or activity was a clever way to access an entirely new market.

Many of the biggest names in streetwear have their roots in California, which has long been a mecca for men’s urban clothes. And they all started with casual clothing focusing on t shirts, hoodies and baseball caps.

Although the first streetwear items were created many years earlier, it wasn’t until the 1990s when it became a worldwide phenomenon that it was referred to as a trend or fashion style. Since then, it has changed dramatically, going from a few labels to thousands of streetwear brands for this kind of fashion, and it looks like it will just keep expanding.

The greatest sports brands in the world, like Nike or Reebok, were merged into what we now refer to as streetwear back in the 1990s when hip-hop musicians and other inspirations gained notoriety for the athletic wear they wore. Only now, this is not only applicable to sportswear but has been expanded to include other brands and styles.

Since all the styles seem to be slightly entwined today, it isn’t a style issue. You can be dressed up and casual, as well as sporty and elegant, at the same time. In terms of fashion in 2022, there are no restrictions or constraints, and that is wonderful. Being a part of the community and feeling good is important.

The part played by millennials in this fashion phenomenon is one of the things that has to be discussed. Young adults in their 20s, or millennials, were the first to embrace this street style revolution and the top streetwear brands today are considered major players in the fashion industry. It is more of a way of life for them and the main points of this way of life are: being simultaneously comfortable and stylish, with pieces that can stand alone.

This movement grew to be so influential that it even appeared on the runways and began to dictate and drive fashion trends. That has effectively flipped the process of creating, presenting, and selling new fashion to consumers.

Why has it become so popular

Major influencers have gotten involved

Streetwear Designers like Vigil Abloh and Raf Simons were able to develop their own takes on street style thanks to roles as creative directors at high end fashion brands Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Calvin Klein and Prada . By using luxurious fabrics to make streetwear-style pieces, they are fusing high fashion with streetwear to create a more upscale offering.

Celebrities are currently moving away from their usual glamorous attire in favour of upscale yet informal streetwear. In fact, it’s possible that streetwear wouldn’t be as popular as it is now if celebrities hadn’t been willing to adopt it.

Integral part of influencer culture

People’s perceptions of fashion are greatly influenced by what they see on social media, and models and influencers are frequently recognised as the ones that set the standard for what is “on-trend.”

When celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid are spotted wearing expensive streetwear, you know it’s popular in the market. Because of this, many streetwear companies like working together with other designers and celebrities to increase their visibility and spread their designs among a wider audience.

It’s affordable

This is a crucial component of streetwear because it lets people look stylish without having to feel horrible about their financial situation. There is always another option. Streetwear has also been included in high-end fashion labels like Gucci’s items since they realised it would increase sales.

No matter how much money a person makes, they can look beautiful and feel good about themselves thanks to some brands, like Zara, which simply produce identical or similar items at significantly lower prices.

It’s the lifestyle

Millennials and people of generation Z enjoy the idea of appearing casual in their attire. Young individuals are drawn to the “I don’t care” attitude and they desire freedom. They are liberated from the pressure to appear and behave a certain way, which is why streetwear brands are so well-liked among them initially and later everyone else. It’s the lifestyle that they love.

It’s comfortable and sustainable

Finally, sustainability is a crucial factor. Luxury labels haven’t given this aspect much thought, but it appears that streetwear has forced them to start doing so after teaching them about the benefits of sustainable wear.

The most important thing is to wear clothing that is flexible, comfortable, and allows you to go about your daily activities without having to stop and think about what you’re wearing. However, it’s also crucial for a company to be environmentally conscious if they want acceptance from their customers. This movement places it as a top priority.

Italians are regarded worldwide for having exceptional taste in clothing and accessories, and fashion is a significant part of Italian culture. This nation exemplifies the distinctively European style, from luxurious materials to distinctive clothing choices. Italy is one of the top nations for fashion, creating fashion designers like Gianni Versace, Guccio Gucci, Valentino Garavani, Giorgio Armani, and Roberto Cavalli, as well as brands such as Kappa, Ellesse, Loro Piana, and Stone Island.

Italians, both men and women, are constantly open to trying new things. They don’t hesitate to follow current trends and they don’t show fear. Whether it’s a striking coat, a trademark bag, shoes, or other accessories, they are always eager to tailor.

2. France

Paris is one of the most fashionable cities in the world and is where the fashion industry was born. French designers are renowned for using premium textiles to produce eye-catching patterns. Famous French fashion designers include Hubert de Givenchy, Christian Dior, Coco Chanel, and Yves Saint Laurent.

3. Spain

This nation is ranked among the most fashionable countries, and the general public’s fashion reflects the abundance of elegant designers and top brands in this nation. When you get there, you’ll realise that Spanish people usually always dress in fashionable clothing. The King of Fashion Cristóbal Balenciaga was the most well-known Spanish fashion designer, and the nation is also where brands like Zara, Mango, and El Corte Ingles were first established.

4. United States

International fashion weeks are held in this nation, which is home to great designers and welcomes visitors from around the globe. In order to present contemporary styles that are in accordance with the most recent trends, it mixes elements of both modern and ancient cultures. American youth culture frequently embraces streetwear labels like Stussy and has its finger on the fashion pulse.

5. United Kingdom

The emergence of the global fashion business is significantly influenced by British fashion designers. London has emerged as the epicentre of British fashion, renowned for the originality and refinement of its style. The University for the Creative Arts’ undergraduate BA fashion programme and Central St. Martins are two of the most well-known fashion schools in England.

Iconic British fashion designers like Stella McCartney aside, there are also dominate UK based streetwear brands that have a place in street style culture

6. Switzerland

The flourishing fashion industry is only one of the many things that Switzerland is renowned for. Switzerland is a country where there are numerous fashion designers, fans, and trendsetters. The superiority of Swiss fashion, particularly in the male fashion sector, results from a society that holds fashion in high regard.

It is hardly unexpected that Switzerland produces many young designers each year given its extremely trendy populace. Young designer Julian Zigerli entered the field of men’s fashion and quickly attracted the interest of more well-known companies.

7. South Korea

Due to influences from Western culture, wealth, and social media usage as well as the country’s growing economy, South Korean fashion has advanced in recent years. Despite being influenced by international fashions, South Korean fashion maintains a unique style that sets it apart. Unlike North Korea’s fashion, which is characterised by a lack of personal expression and independence, South Korea’s fashion reflects these values.

The nation is home to The Seoul Fashion Week, a biennial international fashion show held in the Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter seasons. The occasion is characterised by variety and inclusivity, fusing high fashion with street style.

8. Singapore

Singapore’s fashion culture is dominated by tank tops and sports shorts due to the nation’s hot climate. Over time, more and more people have begun to consider dressing in a more fashionable manner. It is also true that 49 per cent of people say that shopping is their favourite pastime. In addition, their apparel market had a staggering US$2,705 million market value in 2020.

There are a lot of possibilities for them to create their very own fashion environment from regional and global influences, even though huge multinational shops now control the majority of the Singaporean fashion market.

9. Australia

The stunning landscapes in this country serve as a source of inspiration for designers, helping to create distinctive designs. Who can think of Australia without conjuring up images of surfwear companies like Rip Curl, Quiksilver, and Billabong? But these surfing essentials are only a small part of the fashion landscape.

10. Japan

The huge demand generated by the fashion-conscious population is fed and supported by Japan’s thriving fashion industry, even though Japanese street fashion is known for its mash-up of various styles and genres. There is also no one sought-after brand that can consistently appeal to all fashion groups. Yohji Yamamoto, Comme des Garçons, and Issey Miyake are frequently cited as the three pillars of Japanese fashion. But in the streetwear scene brands like A Bathing Ape (BAPE) and Cav Empt are major players internationally.

The United States’ West Coast is influenced by Japanese street fashion. Since the 1980s, high-end fashion companies like Comme des Garçons have had a significant impact on the global market, particularly through their numerous guest design collaborations with other companies.

The humble street style has undergone quite a transformation over the years. Once just a few photos snapped at the end of fashion shows, it has now become its own entity, with dedicated sites and social media channels.

It’s turned from a backstage afterthought into a key influencer of trends that everyone talks about. But how did we get here? Exactly how and why has street style become so important in the urban fashion world today?

Here’s everything you need to know about this trend:

What is street style?

Fashion that has developed from the streets rather than from runway displays or designers is known as street style. It actually has its origins in contemporary young culture, and can vary based on the city and country. For instance what I consider to be streetwear as a New Yorker is influenced by California Skateboarding and Hip Hop culture. London-based Chloe is definitely the preppy and equestrian style. Paris is the birthplace of the gritty distressed look, and Japanese street fashion is bold and colourful.

But unlike other fashions, street fashion includes a wide variety of dressing styles rather than just one. All these fashions are distinctive and were developed by young people who preferred this clothing.

High-fashion is being influenced by luxury streetwear, which is now being acknowledged by the main clothes designers and showcased in new collections at fashion week. The tight-fitting jeans that were formerly synonymous with the “Punk” streetstyle are now a common feature of High Fashion. The loose, filmy, “Hippy” gowns also make their way into haute couture as more demure styles that emphasise innocence.

Hip-Hop fashion is one of the offspring of street fashion and has developed into a multibillion-dollar industry. Even though it is regarded as an iconic style, it is nonetheless a reflection of the music scene from which it arose. The African American urban movement gave rise to hip-hop street style, which later made its way into the music industry and was worn by numerous famous athletes.

Types of street style

• Artsy Style

The limits of street-style fashion are pushed by this look. A complete contrast side that includes sombre tones, frequently monochromatic black, white, and grey, can also be seen among the frequent splashes of colour, abstract designs, eye-catching prints, and patterns.

People who have the confidence for daring and sometimes even quirky apparel styles can pull off artsy looks nicely. This form of fashion also incorporates handcrafted items or unusual detailing, as well as exaggerated components like expanded shoulders, baggy clothing, enormous jackets and coats fastened at the waist.

• Boho style

Without bohemian fashion, street fashion would not be complete. Creatively displayed by men and women who lead carefree, frequently artistic lives; uncomplicated people with a knack for anything that isn’t in the mainstream.

Vibrant colours are a terrific way to bring this design to life, from earth tones to jewel tones. Prints, macramé, fringe, and unusual textures all add to this rustic sort of fashion. If you like these components so far, the boho style may be for you. Boho also includes many vintage and retro pieces, such as vintage leather jackets, tie-dye shirts, plaid flannels, and more.

• Chic style

Consider simple, streamlined designs with just distinctive and subtle details as distractions. opulent textiles, a lot of muted or light colours, neutrals, and white.

However, a black and white dominant colour scheme can also be used to create traditional stylish aesthetics. simpler, more versatile items that have stood the test of time are more popular. Both the tiny white dress and the little black dress are staples in the chic wardrobe. As a side note, the terms “Chic style” and “Elegant style” are frequently used synonymously.

• Equestrian style

Both males and females can wear the equestrian look. From the use of high-quality materials to create tidy, crisp white shirts and blouses to leather vests, boots, and occasionally leather bottoms.

Polo shirts, hacking coats, and accessories like bags, watches, sunglasses, and caps are popular choices for men. The colour scheme that can follow an achromatic path of beige, brown, black, and white or a more vivid contemporary path that may contain rich colours is one of the interesting characteristics of equestrian style.

• Vibrant style

This type of design is big in colour and this form of style can be used in numerous other types to create an unusual fusion. Vibrant colourful retro, vibrant equestrian, or vibrant artsy style.

Vibrant fashion may be worn in a variety of ways, from colour-blocking to monochromatic outfits. Together with a ruby red jacket, a sunflower bag, and blueberry shoes, a deep egg-plant-toned top and emerald-coloured trousers or a skirt look stylish.

• Rocker Style

The rocker look is built on a base of several black materials, frequently with metal detailing. White and grey may be the only colours that can be used in this type of style’s lighter frequency, despite the fact that dark tones are popular with it.

The term “rocker style” refers to components like hard rock bands, artists, and admirers of this subculture that have developed a community through time that is as distinctive as this appearance.

Distressed denim jeans, frayed t-shirts, statement leather jackets, and clothing like leather pants, leather vests, and full-grain leather pieces are all examples of items that are associated with this fashion.

• Hip-hop style

Hip-Hop fashion, also referred to as BIG FASHION, has a distinctive appearance that is deeply rooted in urban African American communities, particularly those in New York and Los Angeles. Other cities have also made contributions to this type of fashion, which moves in tandem with the music and art scenes.

While just a small number of people were initially observed sporting this appearance, it is now seen all over the world. This fashion emphasises comfort heavily, which is why a lot of baggy, loose clothing is used. from big t-shirts and baggy jeans to vintage basketball jerseys.

• Geek Chic style

Street style is a big fan of geek chic. including nerdy staples like bow ties, ties, sports jackets and blazers, lapel pins, glasses, and collared shirts that are frequently checkered or striped.

Not to mention the creative use of patterns, hues, and details. You can choose complementary hairstyles, handbags, and shoes to finish the appearance. Consider wearing a bow tie and suspenders together. Both for men and women, geeky fashion looks great.

• Hippie style

The hippie movement, which dates to the 1960s and 1970s, is one of the most well-known subcultures in the world. This extraordinary movement gave rise to the renowned Hippie style, which describes the appearances that hippies wore.

Bell-bottomed trousers, long skirts, big blouses and t-shirts, leather vests, and a tonne of beadwork, scarves, and headbands are a few examples. The colour scheme is really colourful and vivacious for an authentically Hippie style that also doesn’t make distinctions between the sexes.

• Sporty style

The Sporty style aesthetic, which dates back to the 1930s and essentially involves wearing athletics and activewear in circumstances other than sports, became a fashion statement on the streets.

T-shirts and shorts, polo shirts, tracksuits, varsity jackets, gym coats, coach jackets, and cheerleading tops worn with jeans are all acceptable outfit choices. Women and men who wore sportswear or activewear did it as part of their daily attire. Athleisure is the modern term for sporty fashion.

Roots of street style

Although the street style has always existed, it only really took off in the 20th century. The appeal of “alternative” lifestyles for those looking for “identity” may be related to the rise in standardisation of living after World War II. Industrial production, especially in the fashion industry, involved more than just the spread of stylists’ tastes from high fashion to prêt-à-porter and beyond.

A wide spectrum of urban tribes, including economically marginalised, marginalised groups, developed certain tastes, which acted as a catalyst for the creation and dissemination of new fashion.

The history of clothing and identity coincide together. In this sense, street style serves as a catalyst for subcultural cohesion and collective identity. The importance of conventional sociocultural distinctions like race, religion, ethnicity, regionalism, and nationalism in defining and constraining human identity has dramatically decreased in Western civilization after the end of World War II.

In order to express themselves and establish a sense of identity, the Tribe groupings—such as bikers, beatniks, and teddy boys in the 1950s; mods, hippies, and skinheads in the 1960s; headbangers, punks, and b-boys in the 1970s; and goths, new-age travellers, and ravers in the 1980s—took on distinctive clothing and body art.

The street style had momentum for development during the post-war era, which saw the dilemma of true meanings, social identity, and lost ideologies emerge. In terms of the most recent stages of street style evolution, the way that people buy and view this fashion trend generally has changed significantly since the middle of the 20th century.

Street style has transformed from a widespread social practice, represented by specific sociocultural groups, to a significant sector of the mainstream fashion industry. This process took a very long time, and there were significant social, cultural, and economic changes as well.

Elements of street style

• Graphic T-shirts

Baggy graphic t-shirts are among the first items that come to mind when thinking about streetwear. Vintage products like high-quality graphic t-shirts from the 1980s and 1990s, when this trend first appeared, are the ideal addition to a streetwear-inspired ensemble. The t-shirt must be big because it produces the kind of general androgynous, baggy look that defines streetwear.

• Combination of tailored pieces

The combination of tailored clothing, like a jacket or pair of trousers, with more casual items is another prominent streetwear aesthetic element, particularly in Asian streetwear. This trend is aesthetically pleasing when matched well with other pieces of clothing. Adding clean business wear with edgy elements creates a chic and contemporary aesthetic.

• Trainers

Most likely, the main element of streetwear fashion is trainers. They are frequently the focal point of an ensemble. Today’s popular sneakers are thick with a variety of stylistic elements. As I previously stated, streetwear places a lot of emphasis on logos. So, if the trainers have the iconic Adidas stripes or the Nike Swoosh, they probably will stylishly round off your streetwear ensemble.

• Jeans and baggy tracksuits

Baggy jeans, tracksuits, cargo and oversized trousers are just a few examples of the various baggy styles found in streetwear clothing. If worn correctly, baggy trousers can be incredibly sophisticated and attractive. They give any outfit a casual twist. For instance, if you wear baggy trousers with a tight-fitting top, your legs will appear longer. Alternatively, baggy trousers take on a more relaxed appearance when worn with an extra-large t-shirt.

• Accessories

Accessorizing is crucial for any look, but it’s crucial for streetwear in particular. There are many different looks you may create, even within the streetwear category, and the appearance you are going for heavily depends on the accessories you select.

Metal hardware is a considerate addition to your streetwear ensemble if you are sporting a grittier appearance that closely resembles goth. You can achieve this by accessorising with chain necklaces or belts. Bucket hats are also a terrific way to accessorise a streetwear outfit, whether it’s cold outside or you just want to seem cool. Given their growing popularity, bucket hats are available in countless designs, colours, and materials. Fortunately, a bag is usually always coupled with any streetwear ensemble. Shoulder bags are again popular and come in a range of prices.

The same applies to the world of footwear, and while trends move at a snail’s pace compared to the constant chop and change in the clothing world, each year presents some sort of new wave pushing itself into popularity. So it might be mens sandals NZ or house slippers. Either way, it never hurts to move your comfort zone a little bit further. 

Commando Soles

They are rugged, chunky, extraordinarily comfortable and leaps and bounds easier to wear than their leather counterparts. The commando sole increasingly appears in popular and familiar silhouettes like Chelsea boots and loafers. 

While traditionally found on the battlefield, this design is breathing new life into classic styles and sleek looks with masculine energy and bolder finishes. They can be styled like regular loafers or boots, paired with suits or tailored pants and button-downs, but with an edgy twist. 

The Returning Air Max

The Air Max 1 is a piece of design history and a fairly important one. Initially designed by the iconic Tinker Hatfield, it was the first Nike sneaker to feature a visible ‘air’ cushioning under the shoe’s sole making it iconic in sneaker culture.

Over the past few seasons, these historic sneakers have repeatedly reappeared on the runaways and mens shoe trends lists, featuring in various collaborations with designers around the world. However, its popularity never seems to fade, and investing in a pair for your closet will give you a pair of shoes that will never be out of style.

Loafers

Loafers are a shoe trend that is repeated every single year. The perfect combination of style and comfort, loafers are a versatile footwear option all year round and suitable for nearly any social occasion. 

They are traditionally made with leather, faux leather, or suede, giving them a sleek and high fashion finish. They can be paired with fitted jeans, tailored pants, suits, and shorts. Get them in a dark neutral tone to maximise their use. 

House Shoes

House shoes might scream ‘grandpa,’ but this unassuming footwear style is gaining popularity outside the home and in fashion magazines. Granted, their rise to stardom has been primarily influenced by the increased culture of working from home and prioritising comfort over style. 

And because they represent function over fashion, keep this in mind when styling them. They need to be paired with clothes that push the same message, like joggers, hoodies or slouchy knitwear. 

The Classic Oxford

Like loafers, some shoe trends will never disappear. Another variation to add to this list are the classic oxford shoe. Designed to be the epitome of style and sophistication, this formal footwear choice oozes class and looks best with elegant styling. 

However, more and more people are attempting to mix things up by pairing them with looser fitting, more casual items like jeans, polo necks and wide-leg tailored pants. It certainly pushes the envelope of what is most widely accepted regarding these timeless classics, but the fashion world is fluid and constantly changing. 

‘Dad’ Trainers

Walk into any fashion event over the past 2-3 years, and the footwear styling will make you feel like you have entered the dad shoes convention. Functional sneakers that put practicality over design have roared back into popularity since the pandemic days and are only getting stronger.

Styling these bad boys is relatively straightforward. You want to be laidback, relaxed, and the epitome of comfort. The challenge will be finding the line between pairing fashionable pieces to make a statement but not too dressy that it looks disjointed and out of place. Take note of how your favourite fashion influencers style them to pull it off.

Alternative Colours

A classic white sneaker or black leather loafer will never go out of fashion. But the days of sticking to neutral tones and versatile colours seem to be heading out the door. Instead, bright, bold statement colours are beginning to pop up in street fashion, which can be a fun way to express your personality. 

For the best effect, make your shoes the statement of your outfit and your clothes with a neutral background will be an excellent place to start. However, with too many contrasting colours, your outfit will feel more like a pencil case and less like an outfit you put in the effort to create. 

Patterns

Along with bright new colours, bold patterns and intricate designs are making their way onto shoes and hopefully into your closet. Like colours, it is a clever way of including something different and unique in your finish looks. 

But also, like colours, too many contrasting patterns become too busy to look at, and it can be confusing to figure out what you were hoping to achieve. So make your shoes the show’s star and highlight their uniqueness instead of letting them get lost in a sea of effects. It will put you at the top of the style pyramid amongst your friendship group. 

Off White was founded in 2013 by Virgil Abloh, but he started it’s predecessor Pyrex Vision in 2012. And the brand story is that of it’s visionary creator and designer, who’s essence is interwoven into his brands fabric. And the fact his Instagram account has 7.1 million followers shows his impact on the fashion industry well beyond his work.

Who was Virgil Abloh?

Virgil Abloh was born in Rockford Illinois in 1980, to Ghanaian immigrants Nee and Eunice Abloh. Despite graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering and becoming a Master of Architecture in 2006, his seamstress mother taught him how to sew at a young age and he designed T-Shirts while studying.

He was also a DJ, and was well known on the Illinois music scene and first met Kayne West in 2002 which lead to him working on the Chicago rapper’s merchandise as he found success with Through the Wire, a song about his car crash sung with his jaw still wired shut.

Both took their interest in fashion further in 2009 with an internship with Italian Fashion House Fendi. The pair forged their close friendship and starting collaborating together further, which led to opening the RSVP Gallery and Abloh joined West’s Donda creative agency and album work. He was the creative director Kanye West’s joint 2011 album with Jay-Z, Watch the Throne.

The move into own clothing brands

In 2012 Abloh started Pyrex Vision, a fashion company that bought excess stock from designers like Ralph Lauren and screen-printed his unique designs on them which reflected youth culture at the time. Considering they were bought for $40 and sold for $550, the blueprint of a high price point for high quality materials and designs was set.

This paved the way to start high-end streetwear brand Off-White in 2013, pioneering the bridge between streetwear and luxury clothing. But the path may have been very different had his designs not caught the eye of Marc Jacobs, who was artistic director of Louis Vuitton from 1997 to 2014. A post that Abloh later held when he became the first African-American artistic director at Louis Vuitton’s menswear ready wear line in 2018.

It’s easy to suggest than with Louis Viton’s influence and West opening influencer opportunities in the music industry success was inevitable. But this does the visionary designer a disservice.

The first womenswear line in 2014 made it’s debut at the Paris Fashion Week, it was evident this was more luxury designer clothing than streetwear. Virgil Abloh was a recognised elite fashion designer, and this got the attention of big brands clambering for a collaboration opportunity. Because they worked. In 2017, Off-White redesigned 10 of the company’s best-selling Nike classic styles. The shoes sold out so fast, that it was swiftly followed up with a Nike trainers collection designed for Serena Williams.

Big brands queued up to collab with Off-White including A-Cold-Wall, TheDoubleF, Selfridges, Champion, Timberland, Le Bon Marche, Burton, SSENSE and Ikea. All the while Abloh’s profile was growing, a shining star in the fashion world, that dimmed too soon.

Virgil Abloh passed away November 28th 2021 aged just 41, leaving his timeless designs as a fitting legacy.

Who owns Off-White now?

Louis Vuitton (LVMH) acquired a majority share in Off-White in July 2021, when owner Abloh was privately fighting cancer. It’s logical to assume this was about more than money, with a promise to continue the brand in his honour as it continues the c/o Virgil Alboh branding.

What does Off White mean?

The name brand Off-White was defined by Abloh as the grey area between black and white as the colour off-white.

Why is Off White so expensive?

There is no denying Off-White carries a hefty price tag, but this is Louis Vuitton quality in fabrics and designs. In effect, it’s the streetwear collection from the Italian fashion house.

Abloh was once quoted as saying:

 An Off-White T-shirt is like 200 bucks, and a hoodie is like $300. Don’t let Zara and Uniqlo educate you on the price of a garment, because that’s not fashion. That’s McDonald’s. Your health is tied to that 99-cent nugget

Where to find the Off White clothing brand in UK

You can buy Off White in the major retailers like Printemps UK, and the brand also have an outlet store in Bicester Village.

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Who started 304 Clothing?

304# as it was first known was set up in 2012 by David Powell, Sean Cotter and Joe Lucas. This was back when Twitter was at its peak, so the use of the hashtag was quite unique and original at that point.

The brand was named after the door number of the Altrincham apartment they shared while at Manchester Uni, and they later rebranded to just 304, although their website was always 304clothing.com from launch.

They started with a Spring Summer 2012 collection, the same year as Sik Silk was born with their baseball jersey design.

And there were parallels as both bedroom brand labels used Tumblr and Facebook to build a cult following, battling it out for the attention of the youth crying out for something different in the fashion marketplace.

Unlike Sik Silk who produced their first collection made to order with unique designs, the very first 304# range were vests purchased from a high street shop with hand-cut felt letters ironed on. These can be seen halfway through their launch video below. This might explain why their Scarborough rivals had more early success to catapult them to the heady heights of today.

But either way the boys at 304 had a product different for the market, and young adults bought them and wore them to music festivals, Ibiza and beyond, and the demand grew. The after-work hobby was becoming a sought after lifestyle brand.

Each year the boys would take a summer road trip to America, and this became the design and cultural inspiration direction and they pressed on. They knew they wanted cool designs, premium quality, all at a price point their consumers would love.

They were Manchester uni students themselves so knew the summers of festivals and partying had a captive audience for stand out pieces. And they knew they could deliver to a welcoming audience with in-demand designs.

Joe Lucas left the brand in 2015, and the brand returned home to Birmingham with a HQ in Kings Norton. 304 clothing owner DMP brought in his old school friends from St Augustine’s Catholic High School in Redditch; Alex Regan and Jon Hutchins, to help make it the success it is today.

It could have been a different story though, with 2017 not being a year to remember. Firstly, their offices were burgled with all their computer hardware stolen, and some early edition clothing were taken. Then a huge fire gutted their warehouse and destroyed the entire stock.

While some unfairly jibed of an insurance scam, fans of the clothing brand supported the boys to build back up again.

>How did they get successful?

The brand have always aimed for timeless over fast fashion, always ensuring high-quality textiles are used. With their on-trend designs, they have ensured they stand-out in the crowded streetwear market, even if ultimately Sik Silk became more well known over the passing years.

From a marketing perspective, they have always had good ideas too. They were the first to do a mystery box that I ever saw. Yes a cynic like myself might just think it’s an excuse to pass off excess stock, but it doesn’t mean low quality or unpopular designs. I’ve been involved in range planning and often clothing brands over order on what they think will be popular, but that doesn’t mean it’s inferior. The 304 clothing mystery box reviews show a lot of happy customers.

David and Sean always stuck to their plan and the fact it is still going 9 years later is a positive one. They’ve also not forgotten apartment 304 and how it launched a lifestyle as well as a clothing brand.

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Is 304 clothing a good brand?

Yes, 304 has been a great brand for nearly a decade and is legit. The clothing has a lot of excellent reviews praising the quality. With eCommerce stores, you will always find reviews complaining of issues with delivery, but that is outside of the brand’s control. This is part of the online shopping experience, but 304 do recognise the importance of customer satisfaction at least and have over 5260 reviews on Trustpilot at the time of writing.

They also stay current with designs and models such as Brandon Myers and increasing their reach by linking up with some big retailers like ASOS and I Saw it First. Providing both menswear and clothing for women and juniors, it really is an inclusive brand for all.