Streetwear may have been restricted to a younger audience in the past, but that’s not the case anymore. Streetwear’s influence has infiltrated seemingly every style. Tight and small beanies to box logo tees, it’s no longer about 20-year-olds looking to impress one another. Streetwear has grown along with its audience.
Unlike bespoke tailoring, streetwear is much more accessible. Accessibility is at the core of streetwear. It was originally influenced by the ’90s skate scene and legendary hip-hop artists. The basic premise of streetwear is all about function, comfort, and practicality. There are many legacy streetwear brands like Carhartt and Dickies that were embraced by younger generations and then some of the more niche brands started taking over. These brands include Supreme which used artificial scarcity and “limited” drops as a means to raise prices and desirability.
While not everyone is all-in on premium brands like BAPE, certain pieces are deemed must-haves in the streetwear scene. Here are some of them.
4 Streetwear Tips to Help you Look Great
1. Graphic Hoody
Having bold designs in this type of fashion is much more than getting someone’s attention. Streetwear brands are constantly looking to represent the visual surroundings and send some kind of message. This message can be cultural or political according to Thread stylist Freddie Kemp.
A basic graphic can completely change the way someone views a hoody. It can turn a basic hoody into something that becomes the cornerstone of the brand’s image. This is especially true if the design is meaningful. There is an oversized “W” on this hoodie by the legendary WTAPS brand. When someone wears this hoody, it signifies they have a speciality desire and affinity for the street culture that WTAPS embraces. While not everyone is going to understand this, it’s something that sets streetwear apart from the rest of the styles out there.
2. Lived-In Jeans
Denim is one of the building blocks of anyone’s wardrobe who considers themselves a part of streetwear culture. This is especially true as it relates to raw denim with honeycombs. The key thing you want to do when you are looking to add denim to the mix is to find a pair that’s going to take you from weekday to weekend without completely looking out of place.
Having washed or a lighter shade of jeans is a good way to fit casually into the basic streetwear look according to Freddie. These will give you that “lived-in” look which is always something that is embraced with streetwear.
3. Trainers
If you aren’t looking to spend a fortune on some of the most hyped and newest sneakers in the marketplace, you’re going to want to stick to retro shoes. Getting a classic and versatile pair of trainers from Nike Air Max or Adidas is a good way to keep yourself looking great without looking like you are trying too hard. You want to stick with neutral colors for the most versatility.
There is usually a sports connotation according to Freddie. There are plenty of athletes that purely stick to streetwear. A good thing you can do to improve your streetwear look is tie two cultures together like sports and streetwear. They mesh very well together and using trainers can be a good way to do it.
4. Signature Accessory
One of the most old-school and classic looks you can go for is a Stussy beanie. Keeping it bright is even better. Using a bright beanie is not only going to keep your head warm, but it can hide bad hair days and turn your clothing into an actual streetwear fit. Going bright with your beanie is a good way to make any outfit stand out.
You can go for a grey and basic color hoody beanie or you can go big with a bright one. By choosing a bright one, you are making a choice and you are bringing out your personality and style. Streetwear is all about having a bright and youthful attitude and expressing yourself.
