Streetwear has been defined by some as a loosely defined style of dress that originally appeared in and around the United States in the late 1990s. Streetwear has grown to embrace a wide variety of different styles and elements and has become very popular with a variety of different age groups. There is no one definitive answer to what streetwear means, as it has become a very open concept that crosses borders and social boundaries. Streetwear first became international in the late 1990s. It initially began as a trend in New York urban youth culture and then expanded to include elements from Japanese street culture, British street culture, and eventually coastal, surfing, and skateboarding cultures across North America.
Evolution of Streetwear
Over the years the streetwear has developed and changed to incorporate different types of style and clothing into its own unique design language. Streetwear ultimately became a symbol to signify an individual’s sense of fashion in the luxury apparel market. As the demand for luxury garments increased, designers began to create new and unique styles and trends from these designs. With the rise of urban and designer wear, the streetwear brand was no longer considered cutting edge or rebellious but instead established a mainstream identity. In fact, many luxury fashion brands identified and embraced the culture and art of streetwear, transforming it into a coveted part of their luxury line of clothing.
Streetwear has now become a respected clothing trend in the luxury fashion market. Much of streetwear’s mainstream popularity can be attributed to its association with hip-hop culture. The street style and music of the late 90s were infamous and are widely regarded as one of the most controversial aspects of urban clothing. The style was often portrayed as a reflection of the lifestyle and attitude of the hip-hop musicians and artists. The style was often ridiculed by the mainstream media and looked at as extremely out of touch by the general public.
Celebrities and Streetwear
To reflect the culture and mindset of the hip-hop community, streetwear was created to mimic the styles and designs of their favourite hip hop artists. A great example of this is Pharrell Williams, who designed the “Pharrell Effect” when designing his clothing line. The Pharrell Effect refers to the famous red and black checked stripe that is featured on many of Pharrell’s outfits. Similar designs can be seen in popular rap songs and were even used in several songs by Kanye West. This style became a signature of the rapper, and his image was used widely across the world.
The fashion world has taken Streetwear in many different directions and is now regarded as edgy and urban casual. Most of Streetwear clothing is informal and casual and is usually worn by many people of all ages. This style has been particularly popular amongst the younger generation, who have embraced it as an icon of cool fashion. This style is usually associated with wearing brightly coloured clothing, bright coloured t-shirts, and low-rise jeans.
One of the most common types of Streetwear comes from the world of skate culture. Skate clothing is unique, as it generally only contains one colour, black. The main difference between Streetwear and skate clothing is that the former tends not to focus on the edgier, fast style of clothing that is often seen in streetwear. Skate clothing focuses on creating a stylish, fun image for its users. Many skateboarders tend to favour this type of clothing, and most skate shops stock a large range of streetwear products, including t-shirts, hoodies, and boardshorts.
Another popular form of Streetwear is considered streetwear clothing for casual use, such as t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, and jeans. These items are commonly used for casual occasions, and although they are not particularly formal, they do tend to be comfortable and affordable. In many ways, they represent a more functional approach to the fashion trend, as they were originally created to be worn around the home and by everyday people. You can easily find these types of streetwear products online, and they are usually inexpensive. A great place to start is online marketplace, Reissue. This streetwear haven stocks a wide range of brands and allows buyers and sellers to operate with 0% commission!
Final Thoughts
The fashion world has taken streetwear in many different directions and is now considered to be more mainstream than ever. Although there are still many younger people who identify as streetwear fans, many mainstream streetwear styles tend to incorporate colours, and designs that have been influenced by streetwear culture. A good example of this is the long, skinny jeans that are generally seen as representative of the early days of streetwear. Although they may have been originally designed for the skating community, they are now frequently seen amongst non-skate enthusiasts and even among some of the younger generation. A quick look online at popular online stores such as Reissue will reveal a full array of streetwear items, and if you are looking for something unusual, then you might want to visit your local skater mall, to try out some Streetwear garments.
