Streetwear Style 101: The Basics of Urban Fashion - Yellowbrick (2024)

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• Published:February 17, 2023

• By:Yellowbrick

Streetwear, a style that has been rapidly gaining traction in recent years, has captivated the attention of fashion enthusiasts all over the world. Theunique fusion of elementsfrom urban and street culture with high fashion creates a look that is both bold and sophisticated. Streetwear has become a cultural phenomenon, not just a fashion trend, and has been embraced by people of all ages and backgrounds. For those who are new to the world of streetwear, the abundance of options and the constant evolution of the style can be a bit daunting. However, with a bit of guidance, it is possible to navigate this exciting and ever-changing fashion landscape with confidence.

In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of streetwear style, examining its origins, key elements, and current trends. We will also provide some valuable insights on how to start your own streetwear business.

What is Streetwear?

Streetwear is a unique and dynamic form of fashionthat takes inspiration from the vibrant and ever-evolving urban and street culture. It is known for its bold, eye-catching graphics, oversized silhouettes, and a seamless blend of high and low fashion elements. It is a fashion style that is often associated with the youth culture, particularly in urban areas, but it has also gained immense popularity among fashion-conscious adults.

One of the key features of streetwear is its versatility. It encompasses a wide range of clothing items, from t-shirts, hoodies, denim, and sneakers to more avant-garde pieces like oversized jackets, baggy pants, and even accessories like caps and sunglasses. The style is constantly evolving, with new trends and designs emerging every season, making it a popular choice for fashion enthusiasts who want to stay on-trend.

Streetwear has also played a major role in shaping the fashion industry, with many high-end designers and luxury brands taking inspiration from the street style. This has resulted in the creation of a unique hybrid fashion style that combines the best of both worlds, high-end luxury and street-inspired fashion.

Streetwear ismore than just a trendtowards casual clothing. It’s much more than the overpriced t-shirts, the long lines for sneaker releases, and the designer logos on everything. There’s a deeper meaning and cultural significance behind it all.

The Origins of Streetwear

Streetwear has its roots in the Skate and Hip-Hop cultures of the 80s and 90s. Skateboarders and rappers often created their own clothing to reflect their unique style and attitude. These early streetwear designs were often hand-drawn and produced in small quantities. As streetwear became more popular, it began to evolve, incorporating elements from other subcultures like punk, grunge, and graffiti. It has become more than just a fashion trend, it’s a cultural movement that reflects the attitude and lifestyle of the youth.

Today, streetwear is a global phenomenon, with designers and brands from all over the world creating clothing and accessories in this style. It has not only influenced the fashion industry but also music, art, and pop culture. Streetwear has become a way for people to express themselves and connect with others who share their values and interests.

The Impact of Streetwear on Traditional Fashion Industry

Streetwear has had a significant impact on the traditional fashion model. With its focus on limited-edition releases, streetwear has disrupted the traditional fashion calendar, which is based on seasonal collections. Streetwear brands often release new collections on a weekly or monthly basis, giving consumers a constant stream of new products to choose from. This has led to a more fast-paced and ever-changing market, where consumers are always on the lookout for the latest drops and limited-edition releases. Additionally, streetwear has introduced a new business model, which is based on collaborations and co-branding. This has led to a more dynamic and diverse fashion industry, where established brands team up with streetwear labels, musicians, and artists to create unique and exciting collections. This has created new opportunities for emerging designersand has helped to break down the boundaries between different segments of the fashion industry.

Streetwear and its Reflection of Pop Culture

Streetwear has not only disrupted the traditional fashion model, butit also reflects the current pop culture landscape in a truly inspiring way. The bold graphics, oversized silhouettes, and bright colors often take inspiration from music, art, and film. As mentioned, streetwear designers frequently collaborate with musicians, artists, and filmmakers to create collections that embody the cultural zeitgeist, cementing streetwear as a vital and inspiring aspect of contemporary pop culture.

Streetwear as a Status Symbol

Streetwear, which originally served as a means for subcultures to express themselves and establish their own fashion, has evolved into a status symbolin recent years as well. Its limited-edition nature has led to high demand and high prices for certain items, making ownership of a piece from a coveted streetwear brand a symbol of prestige for many individuals. Additionally, it has come to represent wealth and success, particularly among youth. With the rise of streetwear’s popularity, there has also been a corresponding increase in the number of individuals and businesses looking to enter the market. And, the first step for those interested instarting their own streetwear businessis to learn about the industry, its trends, and the strategies that have been successful for others in the past.

Start Your Streetwear Business on the Right Foot

Starting a streetwear business can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor. To begin, it is important to gain a thorough understanding of the industry, its trends, and the strategies that have been successful for others in the past. There are also many resourcesavailable to assist you in this process, including online coursessuch as Yellowbrick’s Streetwear Essentials course. This program, taught by Parsons faculty, features recognized leaders from across the streetwear industry and helps you explore all aspects of the industry, discover related careers, and develop your skills. The course also provides valuable insights into the world of streetwear, including information on product development, branding, marketing, and other crucial aspects of starting and running a successful business. By taking our online course, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of streetwear and set yourself up for success as a business owner. So, why wait? Explore our coursesand enroll now!