In recent years, streetwear has gained considerable traction as a fashion trend and become one of the most popular styles of clothing out there. From Kanye West’s Yeezy line to the resurgence of Nike and Adidas vintage apparel, Streetwear has inched its way into the mainstream and become an industry staple. This article investigates the origin of streetwear and looks at how it has taken over the fashion industry.
1. From the Streets to the Runway: the Emergence of Streetwear
Streetwear has emerged from the streets to the runway. Starting out as a signature look of hip-hop, punk, and skate culture, this style has gone from rebel to designer, entering high-end fashion with elan.
Once found only in inner-city communities, streetwear is now sported by celebrities, worn to awards ceremonies and street fairs alike. Its rise can be attributed to a few key success factors.
Growth of social media. The exponential growth of social media has vastly increased the reach of streetwear. Influencers, bloggers, and lifestyle gurus have brought this look to worldwide attention, with its reach only steadily increasing.
Interlinked fashion statement. Streetwear often makes a social statement. Beyond just fashion, it brings to attention the ongoing struggles of minority groups that still go unheard in the mainstream. This social component linked to fashion has magnified its appeal, with many bigger brands now specifying specific looks that reflect social and urban life.
Fashion Influencers. Fashion influencers are also playing a significant role in the emergence of streetwear. With many influencers now partnering with bigger brands, they’ve served to bridge the gap between high-end fashion and streetwear.
In a few short years, streetwear has gone from counterculture statement to fashion darling. With its edgy appeal and a vast reach, it’s sure to be present on the runway for many more fashion seasons to come.
2. Streetwear and its Growing Popularity
It seems everywhere you look these days, people are wearing streetwear. Whether it’s oversized hoodies, chunky sneakers, denim shorts, fitted hats, or bucket hats, streetwear is everywhere. Streetwear is a style of casual apparel that has become increasingly popular in recent years.
This trend is not exclusive to one type of person. Celebrities, athletes and trendsetters have all been spotted wearing streetwear. It’s a style that appeals to people of different ages, genders and cultures. From high-end designers to independent brands, streetwear continues to be the go-to choice.
The popularity of streetwear has been helped by social media influencers who have helped to spread the trend to even the most remote corners of the world. Streetwear brands have been able to capitalize on this, as there are now more people than ever before seeking out these looks.
The popularity of streetwear isn’t just restricted to clothing; accessories have also become an integral part of the trend. Faux fur beanies, chunky hoop earrings, oversized glasses and statement necklaces have all become staples of the streetwear look.
- Social media influencers have helped spread the streetwear trend globally.
- Accessories and statement pieces are now part of the streetwear look.
- High-end designers and independent brands both offer streetwear styles.
Streetwear continues to show no signs of slowing in popularity. It’s been embraced by celebrities, athletes and millions of everyday people, making it one of the biggest trends of the decade.
3. Main Elements of Streetwear Style
Streetwear fashion comes together by blending elements across multiple subcultures. It has grown from just a few influential skaters and rappers in the 80s and 90s to become a massive industry. Below are the three main elements that define the streetwear style.
Oversized and Loose Clothing
Oversized and loose clothing is a classic streetwear staple. While trends come and go, this look remains perpetual. It could be baggy jeans, baggy hoodies, t-shirts paired with shorts, etc.
This style has become so popular, it has drawn inspiration from other fashion subcultures across the decades (think of the 1930s hip-hop style, the much loved baggy jeans of the 70s and 90s).
It is not limited to just clothing – you can also find oversized caps, backpacks, tote bags, etc.
High-Quality Sneakers
Sneakers play an important role in the streetwear fashion style. You want your sneakers to be high-quality and comfortable.
It doesn’t matter if you’re putting together an outdoor or indoor look – the sneaker is the most essential component and unites both styles.
From the classic, monochromatic Jordans to the modern, all-black, multi-textured Yeezys, sneakers are at the core of streetwear style.
Accessories and Streetwear Graphics
Accessories like caps, jewellery, backpacks etc. give the streetwear look a cool, finished touch. It’s all about adding a unique twist to the outfit – it could be with solid pieces, fluorescent colors, and streetwear graphics.
Accessories like these help break up your look, express your individual identity and add an edge to the overall look. From simple metal pins to snapbacks with the coolest hip hop designs, there’s something for everyone.
4. Celebrities Wearing Streetwear: Who’s Leading the Trend?
In the fashion world, streetwear has become a new frontier for the edgy and the daring. Celebrities are now standing at the front lines, pushing the boundaries and paving the way with their unique style. Here’s a list of the trendsetters and their steps in leading the charge.
Kanye West has been an unparalleled advocate for streetwear. His clothing brand, Yeezy, has changed the game for designers everywhere. The brand’s collaborations with Adidas brought the style to the mainstream, pushing sneakers and structured clothing out from the back alleys and into the spotlight.
Kendall Jenner is another influential star who has embraced streetwear. She’s long been a fan of expressing individuality with vibrant colors and daring silhouettes. She wore a statement piece touched up with red sequins from MSFTSrep on the cover of Vogue Japan, making the stampede to the street trend just a little taller.
For a quirky twist, A$AP Rocky puts his signature spin on streetwear. Not afraid to mix avant-garde garments with street-friendly silhouettes, he’s been seen sporting hoodies with long raglan sleeves and loose skater pants. He has also been spotted in tall work boots designer pieces, proving no item is too off-kilter for him.
Last but not least, Rihanna is a fashion icon who wears streetwear like it was made for her. Whether she’s seen in her wild fur coats or graphic tees, RiRi always knows how to add the perfect touch of glamour to the look. She singlehandedly brings a touch of daring to wherever her style travels.
Celebrities from all over the globe are now wearing bold streetwear styles and blazing a trail for the fashion industry. With this in mind, it’s clear that the trend will continue climbing the ranks in the coming years.
5. How Streetwear Became a Billion Dollar Industry
Streetwear has come a long way from its humble beginnings, evolving from underground T-shirt and sneaker brands to a full-fledged billion-dollar industry. Today, it’s a major part of fashion, with the biggest streetwear brands taking in hundreds of millions in revenue every year. Here’s how streetwear made it to the top:
- Endorsement from celebrities & influencers: Streetwear caught the eye of major celebrities and influencers, who served as huge promoters for the brands. Their endorsements gave the brands the legitimacy and visibility it needed to become mainstream.
- Urban culture: Drawing from the urban culture of the city, streetwear began to emerge as its own unique category, combining the look and feel of the streets with fashion-forward trends. This created an entirely new market for streetstyle fashion.
As streetwear became more popular, big brands like Nike and Adidas jumped on board, launching their own streetwear collections. This was followed by worldwide collaborations between brands, creating exclusive and limited-edition collections. Moreover, the digital age saw a huge boom in streetwear, with an influx of online stores that allowed people to buy and sell the latest streetwear.
Nowadays, streetwear is a major part of the fashion industry, with some of the biggest names raking in hundreds of millions in sales. It has created its own unique culture and style that continues to influence fashion today.
The streetwear boom has established itself as a major player in fashion. What began as a way of expressing urban culture has become a dominant force and, as trends cycle, streetwear is sure to remain a constant in contemporary fashion for years to come. That’s the rise of streetwear – and it shows no signs of stopping.
