What Is Streetwear? Not Just Clothes but a Lifestyle
Streetwear is not just limited to clothes. It is a style, a way of speaking, and a cultural fashion movement created by people on the streets. It began by mixing different group styles. Imagine the California skate and surf culture fused with New York hip-hop and punk rock. It gives you a whole new meaning of street culture.
The style is now predominant in clothing. In fact, it’s so dominant now that every new collection…picks a bit of streetwear aesthetic. Everywhere, from high-end fashion shows to local skate parks, it has left its mark. Associating the streetwear style with the street symbols on the many clothing brands is a sort of complementing process.
The Vital Components of Streetwear Fashion
- Comfort & Practicality: The streetwear trend began as clothing for active life. The primary styles are hoodies, sneakers, cargo pants. They come from both sportswear and workwear.
- Exclusivity & Hype: The limited edition “drops” are the ones that bring the thrill. Clients check out overnight and sometimes queue for these pieces. The brand collaboration is also a huge part of the culture.
- Authenticity & Community: The best brands really represent a subculture. They don’t only provide clothes. Instead, they join a story and community.
- Graphic-Heavy Design: Streetwear fashion is graphic t-shirts and hoodies. Streetwear is simple graphics like a logo can define an era.
The Building Stones of Streetwear: Brands That Wrote History
If you want to understand streetwear in the present day, you should first know the brands that built the culture. These original street clothing brands not only produced clothing. They completely constructed the style.
Stüssy: The Trendsetter
Shawn Stussy started his business in Laguna Beach, California by manufacturing surfboards. He first printed his famous signature on the Ts to get rid of them. Who would have known? He took surf, skate, and music culture and created a completely new one.
Stüssy has a reputation for casual hoodie usage and the tradewind. The classic Stüssy shirt is made of heavy cotton. It stands wear and tear and stays in shape after many washes. Being a basic wear piece, it is really worth having in your possession.
Supreme: The Brand of Hype
The streetwear store which is currently on everyone’s lips, was initiated in 1994 in lower Manhattan. It rapidly turned out to be the center of the New York skate scene. This brand is renowned for its red box logo and its radical “drop” which refers to the concept of releasing a small number of new products each week.
This move made this brand a global phenomenon. Supreme’s collaborations with brands like Nike and Louis Vuitton that are high fashion have left an imprint on the industry forever. It has demonstrated that a skate shop can become a high-quality brand as well.
A Bathing Ape (BAPE): The Impressive October’s Japan
The inventor of this brand was Nigo who was born in Japan in 1993. BAPE introduced streetwear as a daring and fresh brand in Japan. BAPE “Cloud Camo” is the well-known design. It also has the Ape Head logo and the famous full-zip Shark Hoodie.
It is important to mention that the whole hip-hop culture’s BAPE logo is a popular symbol. Besides that, BAPE wore by international stars and showed that the Japanese brands can fully posses design and creativity.
Carhartt WIP: Workwear In a New Light
Known for durable workwear, Carhartt has 100 years storied history. In the 1990s, their European section “Work In Progress” (WIP) began remaking the designs from the classic line for the new audience. They kept the legendary durability but updated the fits for the street.
It’s hard to beat the flexibility of a Carhartt WIP jacket. They are warm enough for cold weather but stylish enough to wear in the city. It is the mix of form and fashion that is the reason it is popular among different fears of street styling.
The New Wave: Top Street Clothing Brands Defining Today’s Look
The world of streetwear is always changing. While the icons remain important, a new wave of brands is pushing the culture forward. Check out some of the leading street clothing brands that are on the market right now.
Brands to Watch
- Palace: Most people think that Palace is just London’s version of Supreme, but it is not. It started as a skateboard brand. The brand stands out with its unique, funny voice. Some popular items are graphic tees with the “Tri-Ferg” logo and the retro-spec tracksuit.
- Kith: Kith is a brand that has been founded by Ronnie Fieg and is a master of collaboration and retail. The brand is a mix of high-end materials, with classic sneaker and streetwear styles. Kith shops are attractions on their own.
- Fear of God: Jerry Lorenzo’s Fear of God created the “luxury streetwear” category. It focuses on high-quality materials, modern shapes, and a muted color palette. The “Essentials” line makes this look more accessible.
- Corteiz: The hype for this London-based brand is worth talking about. The brand is known for its guerilla marketing style and the close community it builds. The “Rules The World” slogan and Alcatraz logo are super popular and can be found everywhere. Corteiz is a shining example of the numerous Top 30 Men’s Streetwear Brands That Are Worth The Hype.
Going Beyond the List: The Way to Choose Streetwear Brands That Fit Your Senses
Selecting the right brands isn’t only about surfing the hype. It is about creating an outfit that speaks to you. This guide will steer you in the direction of streetwear brands that match with your true self.
Step 1: Define Your Aesthetic
What’s your style? This will be a decisive factor in the selection of clothing brands.
- Minimalist: You are an admirer of clean lines, simple logos, and neutral colors. The main focus is on the shape and quality of the clothing. Brands like Fear of God Essentials, Noah, or Aimé Leon Dore would be your best pick.
- Skate & Graphic-Heavy: You are a bold logo lover, you love expressive graphics, and baggy t-shirts. This is the true essence of streetwear. Brands like Palace, Fucking Awesome, or Stüssy perfectly suit you.
- Luxury/High-Fashion: You are fond of exclusive materials and designer influence. These brands reflect the mix of street culture with high fashion. A lot of designers have reached beyond the ordinary fashion confines with this style. You should consider Off-White, AMIRI, or Rhude.
- Techwear/Utilitarian: You prioritize function as much as you do with form. These clothes use technical fabrics and have a futuristic, practical look. Check out brands like Acronym, Stone Island, or Nike ACG.
Step 2: Consider Your Budget
Streetwear can be found in every budget range. You can have a great style without overspending.
- Accessible: Certain brands, such as Carhartt WIP, The Hundreds, and Obey, provide terrific design and quality without an exorbitant price.
- Mid-Tier: This is the sweet spot for many enthusiasts. Stüssy, Palace, and Kith are the brands that you will be able to enjoy both quality design and worth it price.
- Investment Pieces: This line consists of expensive clothes from luxury streetwear. They are made with the best materials and last for decades.
Step 3: Search for Quality Not Hype
A hyped item might be in fashion for a week. But a high-quality piece is always an asset. Watch out for the details. Feel the fabric’s weight. Check the stitching on the seams. A well-made, simple hoodie is always a better choice than a poorly made, trendy one.
What Makes a Streetwear Piece So Great in Particular?
What is the differentiation between a good clothing piece and a great one? It is often in small things that the difference lies. Realizing these elements can be your first step toward becoming a more intelligent shopper. Plus, it improves your understandability of the science behind your favorite street clothing brands.
The Hoodie: A Streetwear Canvas
The hoodie is a must-have item in any streetwear wardrobe. However, not all hoodies are equal. The quality ones are made of fabric and have proper construction.
Go for heavyweight cotton. This material will form the hoodie in a way that it doesn’t sag. The hood need double lining to make it stand upright. For longevity, good construction such as flatlock seams are needed. For the new brands, the beginning is a good hoodie manufacturer to realize this quality feel.
The Graphic: Expressing Ideas
A printed t-shirt is a silent way for you to express your thoughts. The printing process plays a main role in how a design appears and feels.
A standard screen print is a classic and will never go out of fashion. Conversely, other processes may add a unique touch. Puff print, for example, creates a raised, 3D texture that makes a simple graphic feel more premium. A specialist puff print hoodie manufacturer can easily make a brand’s point of view truly distinct with this style.
Are You Excited? The Path to Starting Your Own Street Clothing Brand
With the knowledge of these exemplary street clothing brands, it might become hard for you to resist the idea of starting your own. The journey of setting up a brand is a passion project. It all starts with a creative thought and a love for the scene.
Creating that idea is the subsequent action which concentrates on design, sourcing, and production. The challenge is finding a reliable partner. For people ready to take that landing, a full-service clothing manufacturer can make your designs a reality and change from the daydream to the real one.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the most popular street clothing brand right now?
While “popular” varies and shifts rapidly, some brands are perennial at the top. Stüssy and Supreme are still the paramounts of the scene, thanks to their legacies. Corteiz has been booming and the factor has been its strong community approach.
Are luxury brands like Gucci considered streetwear?
No, at least traditionally. But the line between luxury and streetwear is now almost invisible. Brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton have started to use the streetwear trend in their collections more frequently. They have also worked with the key people in skatewear. That has resulted in what is called “luxury streetwear.”
What are some cool, but budget-friendly street clothing brands?
That’s very true; you can still look nice without spending a lot. Carhartt WIP is the epitome of top-notch stuff that you will wear for years with its affordable clothes. You can find the classics from brands like Obey and The Hundreds when looking for graphic tees and hoodies. And of course, don’t forget the core sportswear lines by giants like Nike and Adidas which are crucial to this look.
What is the difference between streetwear and skatewear?
Skatewear is an element of streetwear. It is clothing made specifically for skateboarding gear. It centers on durability and movement. Streetwear is a much broader term. It includes influences from skate culture but also from hip-hop, sportswear, and high fashion. Many street clothing brands like Palace and Supreme are rooted in both worlds.
What are some of the signs to know it’s a fake streetwear item?
Observe the details carefully. The fakes will typically have loose stitching and rough fabric. They will also have mistakes in the logo or tag. Check for the wrong font, spacing, and color. To be on the safe side, the best option would be to buy from the brand’s official website or authorized retailers. If a price seems to be too good to be true think a million times before making the move.
