The Origins Of Streetwear: What Is It And How Do I Wear It?

Streetwear has become one of the biggest trends in fashion in recent years. But what exactly is streetwear, and how can you wear it? In this article, we'll explore the history of streetwear and how to style it for a modern look. We'll also provide some tips on how to stay up-to-date with the latest trends. Read on to learn more!

The term streetwear is quite a common term in the modern fashion world. It refers to a distinctive style of street fashion, which has its roots in California and skate culture, but also encompasses elements of hip-hop fashion, modern high fashion and haute couture. Streetwear is characterized by comfortable relaxed fit, often oversized clothing and bold graphic designs.

Street outfits were once considered to be a fringe style, but recently it has gone mainstream, with major designers and fashion houses creating their own lines of streetwear-inspired clothing.

While it began as the style of choice for skateboarders and surfers, it has now gained mainstream appeal and has been embraced by the music industry, with many rappers and R&B singers incorporating elements of streetwear into their stage outfits.

As a result, streetwear has become one of the most popular and influential styles in the fashion world today. Whether you're a fan of streetwear or not, there's no denying that it's one of the most significant styles in fashion right now.

Fashion trends are constantly changing and evolving, it can be difficult to keep track of where they all originate. Streetwear, in particular, is a style that has gained a lot of popularity in recent years but where did it actually come from?

While the origins of streetwear are often debated, it is generally agreed that the style first came to prominence in the 1970s. At this time, young people in major cities like New York and London were experimenting with fashion, mixing different styles to create a look that was truly their own.

This DIY approach to fashion soon caught on, and by the 1980s, streetwear had become a global phenomenon. Today, streetwear is defined by its relaxed and comfortable aesthetic, and it often includes elements of sportswear, hip hop, and punk. While it has changed and evolved over the years, streetwear remains a popular style for both men and women around the world.

Punk, Surf and Skate Culture

No one can say for sure when streetwear first emerged, but it is thought to have originated in the late 1970s. This was an exciting time, with the emergence of punk rock and very early hip-hop.

As such, streetwear brands of the late 70s and 1980s borrowed heavily from the ‘do it yourself’ aesthetic of punk, new wave and heavy-metal cultures. DIY culture was all about personal expression and individuality, two things that continue to be at the heart of streetwear today.

Source: Nael Coce

In the 1980s, surfing and skateboarding were two of the most popular sports around, and their respective cultures were quickly growing in popularity as well. Many surfers and skaters also adopted this DIY approach, producing their own branded surfboards and cool T-shirts with their own designs.

The most notable of the DIY T-shirt pioneers was surfboard designer Shawn Stussy, who began selling printed T-shirts featuring the same trademark signature that he placed on his own custom surfboards.

As Stussy became more of a popular cult icon, the popularity of his T-shirts also skyrocketed, paving the way for other designers to follow suit. Today, DIY T-shirts are still a popular way for people to express their individual style, and they continue to be a staple of both surf and skate culture.

Source: ef.city

It is because of the notoriety of Stussy that some might argue that streetwear has less to do with urban expression than previously thought, since it was a surf company that was the springboard to streetwear’s ultimate success. This notion is summed up perfectly in complex magazine, who make the point that;

“Stussy took a multi-faceted, sub-culturally diverse, Southern California lifestyle-based T-shirt brand and mimicked the limited feel of a high-end luxury brand. And those are the two most integral components of what makes a brand streetwear: T-shirts and exclusivity”

But this notion has to be taken with a grain of salt, as we can’t get away from the fact that streetwear was also influenced by the punk rock scene.

Echoing the anticulture and ‘rough around the edges’ style of the punk rock genre itself, artists would produce their own music mixtapes, and eventually went on to produce their own T-shirts and merchandise to sell to their fans, much like Stussy himself.

Source: Thump - Vice

A Movement of The People

By the mid-1980s, Nike dominated the urban streetwear sneaker market, and other clothing brands such as Champion and Timberland also became closely associated with the scene. By the mid-90s, the advent of “bling” culture was responsible for the increase of luxury brands who began to dip their toes into the streetwear market, such as Gucci and Burberry.

Source: Carolines Mode

Ultimately, though, streetwear fashion is usually thought of as being the movement of the people. It is something that has no strict rules, and is always changing and evolving according to the street (or to put it in a slightly less corny way, the external influences of popular culture and subcultures).

Some argue that streetwear was born from a reaction to the mass-produced styles of “mall” fashion, and was a way for people to express themselves, creating their own styles in order to stand out from the monotony of the mainstream.

And this may very well be true. But it is perhaps ironic that now many mass produced fashions purport to sell ‘streetwear’, in that they simply display a distinct streetwear influence.

With this in mind, it has to be said that if you want to rock an authentic streetwear look, you’re better off buying from indie designers, or searching more ‘alternative’ marketplaces.

Source: atxstreetstyle.com

How to Style Streetwear

So how do you catalog something that is constantly changing and evolving by its very nature? Since streetwear is such a fluid genre of clothing, it can be difficult to decide which specific pieces belong to it.

A few general things can be said of streetwear, however. It is often built around casual clothing and comfortable basic items such as jeans and t-shirts, as well as hoodies and sneakers.

And in addition to harkening back to early skateboarding, surfing and hip-hop culture, streetwear clothing is often influenced by 1980s nostalgia too, so vintage t-shirts, 80s inspired tees and logos won’t look out of place as part of an urban ensemble.

So, if you want to make the switch from urbane to full-on urban, and throw yourself into the awesome, vibrant world of streetwear, then read on.

Source: El Hombre

Mix Thrifty Styles with Premium Pieces

Although streetwear itself is difficult to define, as we’ve already discussed, it actually seems to be used to describe a whole host of different trends all rolled into one.

On the one hand, streetwear is a luxury aesthetic, composed of high-end pieces and expensive ‘limited edition’ branded items such as premium sneakers.

On the other, streetwear is a mash-up of scrappy punk, hip-hop and surf and skateboarder fashions. This juxtaposition between the thrifty ‘do it yourself’ style and high-end production of limited edition pieces is what makes streetwear so unique.

So in light of this, a key style tip would be to combine the ‘new and shiny’, with the ‘old and tired’. Try mixing thrifty, DIY style pieces such as ripped jeans and punk rock tops and tee shirts with more ‘premium’ looking items such as a quality leather jacket and a pair of crisp sneakers.

Source: thejside.blogspot.com

If In Doubt, Go Big

Another facet of streetwear is that it is often made up of items that are baggy, loose and kind of shapeless. This means you’ll be mixing comfort with style, so take advantage of this fact, and don’t be afraid to go big, layering up with multiple pieces!

Oversized sweatshirts, tee shirts and jeans won’t look out of place, combined in multiple layers. Wear baggy shirts with the buttons undone to keep everything nice and loose, and add an 80s inspired tee for both color and detail. Think 80s and 90s hip hop style with a modern twist, and you've got a pretty solid concept to start building your streetwear look.

Source: Always Judging

Love Those Logos

Being a little bit ostentatious with your style isn’t frowned upon in the way it was a couple of decades ago, meaning that wearing a huge logo on the front of your t-shirt or the back of your jacket is most certainly not considered to be ‘bad taste’.

Nowadays, showing a logo is more than just shouting out to the world how much you paid for the item you’re wearing. Logos are now a badge of belonging and acknowledgement – so wear that logo (or slogan) with pride!

Source: Pinterest

This is a great excuse to rock a meaningful printed tee shirt, embellished with the mark of your favorite designer, or stamped with a geographical location. It’s also a great way to rock that 80s nostalgia look, by wearing statement tees with 80s logos, pop culture icons, bands or musicians taking center stage.

A Final Note on Streetwear

The urban streetwear look is an awesome style to have in your fashion arsenal, because it can appear to be at once rebellious and casual!

It has the punch of punk rock influence, and yet can pair seamlessly with the glamorous, clean styles of high fashion. The fact that streetwear in and of itself is a hard genre to define means there are countless opportunities to experiment with the style, as the look is constantly changing and evolving.

Source: Idealog

If you want to incorporate some urban elements into your look, then take note of the tips above, keep the origins of streetwear in mind, and simply browse the different clothing items available. You’re sure to find a tonne of inspiration from simply window shopping urban trend pieces, and seeking out key items and accessories to start adding to your wardrobe.

Do you have any tips for adding elements of street style and urban fashion to your wardrobe? We’d love to hear about it, so please feel free to share it with us in the comments section below.

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