If you ask any hypebeast, they’ll inform that streetwear isn’t an fad. It’s a way of life.
Streetwear is among the fastest-growing and most influential segments within the industry of fashion. Based on Business of Fashion, the streetwear industry in the world was worth $309 billion dollars in 2017. According to a study conducted by Hypebeast the majority of the respondents buy a piece of streetwear at least once per month 62% of them stated that they believe that streetwear clothes are always trendy. No matter if you’re into it or not fashion-forward streetwear trend will not go away anytime soon.
This is why we’re breaking down the most talked about word in fashion, streetwear. We’ll assist you in understanding the complex multi-billion dollar industry that has been taking over the fashion industry. If you’re not already a maniac then you will be when you’re done reading this.
We’re providing you with the latest information on streetwear fashion — right here, now.
What is Streetwear?
On the surface, the concept of streetwear appears to be a bit straightforward. According to the fashion world, streetwear is trendy casual clothes used by those who follow popular culture. The majority of these people are younger than 30 years old, are living in urban areas and are part of the subculture (ex. hip-hop or skateboarders).
The fashion industry has a tough to determine what is considered as streetwear. It encompasses a broad range of influences, including surf and skate culture hip-hop music, sports high-end fashion and K-Pop. The clientele is diverse, and spans all income levels and socioeconomic class, as well as every region of the world.
We’re not just becoming lazy. Streetwear is more than just a trend towards casual clothes. Beyond the expensive t-shirts long lines at sneaker launches and the brand logos that are affixed to every item you can think of there’s so much more that’s not obvious to the naked eye.
The influence of streetwear On traditional fashion models. Traditional Fashion Model
Streetwear turns the conventional fashion model upside down. It was the case that in past times, fashion designers and forecasters figured out what fashion trends would make it onto the runway, consumers decided what fashions were sold in stores and magazines’ editors dictated to customers what they should and should not buy in the coming season. Now, thanks to streetwear’s primarily direct-to-consumer model it’s the customers that are driving the fashions.
Streetwear wasn’t just a way to change fashion, it also democratized it. The digital age means that fashion from celebrities such as celebrities, influencers, and musicians have a massive influence on what is trendy. Social media gives anyone the chance to become an influencer , or create their own clothing brand. In streetwear, it’s millions of people who are who are sharing, liking, and retweeting what’s the next fashion is, rather than the fashion-conscious elite.
A lot of streetwear brands sell solely on their own websites rather than using the traditional channels of retail. They also make use of single drops of their products (sneakerhead terminology for the release of a product) rather than following the traditional calendar of runway shows. In releasing a limited amount at a specific date, brands can boost excitement prior to the event, create the scarcity of their product, and also create a high return value once the product is sold out. Certain product launches require prospective customers to sign up for the lottery in order to shop for the item.
Streetwear as an Status Symbol
Fashionable streetwear highlights the complicated function that fashion plays in our society. The brand logo that you wear on your body or shoes you wear represent much more than just the company that is behind the sneakers. Apply a designer label to the item, and it’s a symbol of exclusivity and status. These labels that cost a lot are symbols of status and social standing that show your earnings and your personal preferences.
In the world of fashion, there are the must-haves (those from Balenciaga) as well as the not-so-haves (those that are in Zara imitations). Because not everybody is able to afford an expensive pair of shoes or even afford hundreds of dollars The fast fashion industry quickly joined the trend of streetwear and offered customers cheap knock-offs. While the casual observer may not be able to discern the difference, a fan of the hype can tell if counterfeit or difficult-to-find designer item from a mile. Sneaker culture is definitely”IYKYK.
Streetwear as a reflection of Pop Culture
Streetwear is an expression of our present social and cultural context. What’s considered to be street style changes depending on the people who wear it evolve. One of the reasons for the success of this industry is its diversity. In contrast to other types that are fashion-related, streetwear is usually gender-neutral, size-inclusive, and is worn by women and people who are of color.
A good example of streetwear’s relationship to pop culture is evident in the different types of styles that shape street fashion. In its entire time, streetwear has largely been heavily influenced by hip-hop. You can blame the rap scene of the 80’s and 90’s scene with gold chain and tracksuits, bucket hats, tracksuits as well as white Nikes. Hip-hop and fashion share been in a relationship for many decades.
Recently, fashion has been experiencing an influx of new influences: K-Pop. Because of the international popularity of K-Pop groups like BTS and Blackpink Streetwear is expanding its musical tastes.
What is considered streetwear?
No matter if you’re wearing an expensive designer t-shirt with the logo over it or a more affordable one from Zeitgeist*wink, wink*, your choices in fashion convey something about your personality and what you are able to value. Select clothing brands which reflect your individual aesthetic and style.
Streetwear is a very individual thing and heavily influenced by the individual’s style, style, and financial status and therefore there is no one right or wrong method to dress in streetwear such as a Trapstar coat. Make sure you dress in a fashion that is authentic to you and not based on hashtags on your feed that advertise sponsored posts. Be aware that, at its core streetwear is all about mixing practicality and comfort with the ability to express yourself.
The Origins of Streetwear
When did streetwear first become a fashion statement?
The fashion of streetwear we see was first introduced in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The United States, the modern streetwear trend can be traced to the Californian surf culture and skate scene. In the 1980s and 90s, the most popular thing to do was to deck out your board and decorate it. Soon, boarders weren’t just using designs on their decks, they were sporting them as well. It was MTV and the trend exploded.
Streetwear was also greatly in the hip-hop style of the 90s and 80s. The most popular item in streetwear was sneakers. They were a product from both basketball and hip-hop which are both primarily Black subcultures. This relaxed, athletic style was instantly popular after rappers like Jay-Z Snoop and Biggie became mainstream and sports stars like Michael Jordan began selling sneakers.
Who was the first to introduce streetwear?
It’s not easy to determine the exact person who began streetwear however there are a few prominent players that are considered to be innovators in the industry of streetwear that we are familiar with in the present:
Shawn Stussy, founder of California surf brand Stussy
James Jebbia, founder of Supreme, a skate brand. Supreme
Dapper Dan was a Harlem-based designer who developed luxury streetwear specifically for hip-hop artists as well as powerful people from color
What are the top streetwear brands?
Streetwear brands are classified into 4 categories: sportswear, original adopted, luxury, and sportswear. Knowing the distinction between various types of streetwear brands could be the difference between appearing like an OG and appearing like a cheap imitation.
The original streetwear labels are the pioneers of the market, such as Supreme, BAPE, Stussy, Palace, and Kith. Because of their past they depend on the exclusivity of their brands and their brand’s recognition. Although they’re usually offered at an affordable cost, their items have a very high resale value. When they only release a limited quantity of an item they make sure that both the demand and scarcity remain at a high level. They often release iconic sneakers, but with new colors or with collaborative partners.
Sportswear
Streetwear and sportswear are frequently called interchangeably, in part because brands that sell sportswear are the basis of contemporary streetwear. These sportswear brands have ridden the wave of athleisure to broaden their offerings beyond sneakers and traditional performance apparel. They are the main producers of the most valuable streetwear item shoes, which gives the streetwear industry a huge financial advantage. the market for streetwear.
Adopted
Streetwear brands with a streetwear label were tardy to the party. These brands weren’t the first to start producing streetwear, but later began to adopt the style when it became financially profitable to invest in it. The majority of the products from these brands follow the trends set by streetwear companies that were the first. Also, fast-fashion retailers who make imitations of high-end streetwear products.
Luxury
Luxury streetwear brands are brand new in the world. It blurs the distinction between OG streetwear labels and traditional high-end fashion brands. While they’re committed to remaining true to their roots in streetwear, they also offer items with a higher cost and appeal to classic high-end customers. They are considered status symbols and rely heavily on exclusivity and the soaring demand.
Once you’ve figured out and who’s what in streetwear, it’s time to get started wearing it!
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