Streetwear: A Rising Trend

As we are becoming a more fashionable society with the passing of each day, it seems that there are new fashion trends cropping up all the time. One trend that has taken the world by storm especially in recent years is streetwear. The fashion industry defines streetwear as fashionable, casual clothing worn by followers of popular culture. These are typically young people under 30 who reside in urban areas and are part of a subculture group. However, as streetwear has resurged in recent years it has drifted into mainstream society with models even sporting streetwear clothing items.

Firstly, the conception and growth of the streetwear trend began in the late 1980s with Shawn Stussy, who founded Stüssy which is a small surfboard company, who began printing logo t-shirts in Los Angeles, California. This led the way for streetwear to gain attention in the music industry in the 1990s with major music artists sporting graphics baggy t-shirts and oversized branded jackets. Oversized jackets, denim and track style quickly became a hallmark of streetwear with famous artists like Biggie Smalls wearing them.

To elaborate, in the 2010s, luxury streetwear was born as young people and social influencers made streetwear an important part of pop culture. This witnessed the collaboration of mainstream sportswear brands and high fashion brands to popularize the trend. As technology has advanced tremendously also, streetwear has become even more popular with celebrities and influencers sharing what they are wearing at the moment. There have also been an abundance of celebrities curating their own streetwear clothing label. For example, Justin Bieber who is known for wearing baggy t-shirts, loose clothing and trendy sneakers has release his own streetwear line called Drew House. Kanye West is another celebrity that has released a streetwear line based on his own style including hoodies, crop tops and joggers. Fans of these celebrities are now able to replicate the style of their favorite celebrity by buying straight from their line.

Furthermore, under the umbrella of streetwear there are many types of clothing. Graphic tees, puffer jackets, loose-fitting jeans, and statement sneakers all form the backbone of the trend. Sneaker culture was popularized also by Michael Jordan’s collaboration with Nike, resulting in the creation of Air Jordans which are extremely popular today. Moreover, it is even easier in today’s societyremain stylish by incorporating puffer jackets into your wardrobe. In fact, with so many types of puffer jacket to choose from, it is no surprise that they have become a staple piece in streetwear in modern trends.

In addition, an important part of wearing streetwear also comes down to the actual fit of the clothing as well as the type of clothing. This means that those who want to pull of the trend successfully should mix and match with the proportions of their clothes and even layer their clothes to create this sort of effect. As you don’t want the clothing to look unflattering or shapeless, stay away from relaxed fit clothing items and instead opt for clothes that fit the baggy aesthetic without compromising your shape. Also, don’t be afraid to add in accessories when you are sporting streetwear as the accessories are just as important as the staple clothing items. Sling-bags, watches and sports caps are just some of the items that have been used to accessorize streetwear looks.

In conclusion, streetwear is one of the most influential movements in the fashion world. From baggy graphic t-shirts to trendy sneakers there are many ways to take part in the trend and replicate your favorite celebrities. However, if you decide to join in in the streetwear trend remember that streetwear is personal and a large part of your decisions to wear certain clothing items should be up to your own individual preferences. Streetwear is a creative expression that fuses together with comfort and whether you opt for designer streetwear or more casual streetwear is entirely up to you.