There’s really no one single approach to streetwear, but the mainstream definition is casual, youthful clothing inspired by California board and surf culture. That’s overly simplifying a billion-dollar industry though, a fashion sense that includes hip-hop, sports attire, big-brand graphics, expensive sneakers, and even haute couture. Worn by many, but primarily the under-30 crowd, streetwear is here to stay.
Streetwear is said to have begun anywhere between the 1970s and the 1990s. Some say its early influence was punk rock, but as board culture grew, with oversized boxy t-shirts, logo’d hats and baggy shorts, so did streetwear lines. Big names jumped on the trend and have scaled incredibly due to the addition of those popular items to their collections. This has made it easier for the everyday consumer to purchase them while driving and shaping ongoing and future trends in a way that other fashion culture has yet to emulate.
If you like hoodies, sweats, name-brand sneakers, and soft t-shirts and have no problem reapping a brand on your apparel, you’re probably already a fan of streetwear. Even though you may see it more often on the younger crowd, the only rule is that there are no rules. Streetwear is inclusive and gender-neutral, making it appealing to everyone who focuses on comfort while still rocking a specific style. In short, it’s an outfit that looks like you just pulled pieces from your closet – which you may have done – but is still an intentional look.
Finding streetwear brands is easier than you’d think, and if you don’t want to leave the house, you can head over to
Buyma to shop, purchase pieces and get the fashion tips you didn’t know you needed.
What are some streetwear brands to consider? Here’s just a brief list of a few very popular lines. These brands offer options for men and women, including a few must-have pieces for a new and emerging streetwear enthusiast.
Let’s start with
Undercover. Undercover was started in 1993 by Jun Takahashi; this brand has taken a cue from punk and Japanese street culture, gaining strong acclaim from the fashion industry. It has become so popular, you can find their pieces globally, and they also take part in Paris Fashion Week, not an easy thing to attain.
Undercover features clothes for both men and women, including shoes, bags, and jewelry. Their pieces are edgy and fashionable, making fun and unique use of patterns, colors, and blocking. Jun created multiple Undercover collections using different takes on their company name. He even recently created an “Anarchy” chair, an incredibly unique piece of furniture in keeping with his eye for style.
Coming up soon, Undercover puffer jackets will be available, complete with spikes on the shoulders, track jackets and BDU jackets – just one more layer to a streetwear brand that blends style and function with comfort.
Another brand to look at is
Supreme. Supreme was founded in 1994 by James Jebbia, and is based in New York City, focusing on skate and streetwear fashion. Designed to offer creative goods for city kids, celebs and collectors worldwide, Supreme collaborates with a lot of big names to combine streetwear with art. All their pieces are high quality but low quantity, which keeps demand high while allowing customers to own pieces that help you to stand out.
Supreme’s line includes clothing for both men and women, shoes, bags, hats, accessories and more. The large logos and simple lines seem like both a blast from the past and a look to the future.
Have you ever heard of
MLB Korea? The company began production in 1997 and is now a leading international fashion brand, inspired by major league baseball. Their entire line is MLB apparel turned into stylish designs popular with major Korean celebrities. Attend an awards ceremony, concert or sporting event in Korea and you’ll undoubtedly see some attendees sporting MLB Korea gear.
You can get your hands on some of their line at Buyma, including men and women’s clothing, shoes, hats, bags, jewelry and more. If you’re a fan of any major league baseball team, check out this selection of sneakers. Share your love for a team with your own collection of streetwear brands, like these
Unisex Street Style Logo sneakers, with a very familiar New York logo. The Yankees not your team? Keep looking, there’s a long list of available logos and choices; you can even select them in different colors, which makes it great if your streetwear look has a particular color theme. Favor monochromes, grays, or blacks? There are so many options to choose from.
Looking for high-end letterman jackets for your favorite team?
Axel Arigato is a good place to start. They are a self-proclaimed people-powered lifestyle brand, founded in 2014 as a direct-to-consumer brand with physical stores in six countries but online in 134 territories, making it equally accessible to anyone interested in scrolling and shopping. If you’re close to one of their stores, they’re known for pop-up events, album signings, magazine launches and other fun ways to promote their positive community focus.
The entire clothing collection features unicolor pieces that are easily matched for quick outfit selection. Grab your hoodie, slip on those sweats, jump into your shoes and you’re set. And speaking of shoes, that’s where things get changed up – Axel Arigato’s women’s shoes come in a wide variety of colors, giving your outfit a pop of color with little effort. Stand out in this streetwear brand without heavy lifting.
Next, let’s hear it for
Stussy, a Southern California brand with a hip-hop street vibe that surfed into the fashion scene in the early 80s. Founded by Shawn Stussy, the company is well known for its handwritten logo, which originated from Shawn’s scrawling signature on items he’d sell from his car. The first store was a freestanding boutique in New York City, which propelled the company into international recognition. Stussy has big name collaborations on its resume, and in 2014, they brought back the bucket hat in a big way, for both men and women.
Stussy epitomizes streetwear with the broad logo on the back of shirts and even accompanying bold graphics, such as in this
gorgeous short-sleeved t-shirt. This whole line speaks of Southern California mornings on the beach, post-surf session. Easy to wear and even easier to pair, the Stussy line is another fun addition to your streetwear brands to keep an eye on.
Looking for a streetwear brand favored by celebrities and featuring a lot of black and white? Head over to look at the
Off-White collection. Based in Milan and founded by Virgil Abloh, Off-White began offering their hybrid streetwear-high fashion clothing and accessories back in 2013. Simple lines, unusual additions of the black and white logo and typical boxy streetwear look makes the clothing line stand out.
Off-White is another clothing brand that plays well with other collections. No more planning ahead when your closet is full of their pieces and other major streetwear brands; the outfits come together easily with the easy mix-and-match ability provided by streetwear fashion in general. Don’t miss their women’s bags! Fun styles with catchy and edgy phrasing, you’ll be the only one in the room with a bag that cool.
No matter what your budget is, you’ll be able to find streetwear you can afford; many of these brands shared above are mid-to-luxury, but there are also options that are more wallet-friendly, making streetwear fashion accessible to everyone.
Vision Streetwear introduces pieces that cost a little less than some of the other brands but are of no less quality. Grab some soft sweatshirts, “Visionary” t-shirts and everything else you need to become a budding streetwear fashionista or to elevate your existing wardrobe.
