Streetwear is a style that is rapidly gaining popularity among youngsters. It is capturing the attention of fashion lovers worldwide. The global streetwear market is estimated to be worth $347.14 billion in 2024 and will reach $637.13 billion by 2032.
This style has become a cultural phenomenon and has been adopted by people of all ages and walks of life. Now let’s analyse this fashion style’s origins, key elements, and current trends.
What is streetwear & its evolution?
Streetwear is a casual fashion style that became popular in the 1990s. It combines comfortable and fashionable items presented in a streetwear shop, such as printed T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, and sneakers. Followers of the latest fashion trends are known as hypebeasts.
The first streetwear brands started in Southern California in the early 80s. This is during surfers sold screen-printed t-shirts to advertise hand-shaped surfboards. Skate shops started creating stylish designs in the 90s inspired by the Los Angeles surfer, skateboarder styles, and hip-hop fashion.
In the 2000s, street fashion began to change under the influence of sneaker culture. Such shoes were perfectly combined with printed T-shirts.
The development of luxury streetwear began in the 2010s. Celebrities made street fashion a more popular style of pop culture, and the fashion industry could not ignore it. They have a great influence on the worldwide streetwear industry.
The primary features of streetwear
Streetwear focuses on a few common elements though it offers a variety of styles. Here are the primary features of any streetwear:
- Comfort: This wardrobe includes casual wear and sporty pieces, such as sweatshirts and joggers. If you can not skateboard in an outfit, it is not streetwear.
- Scarcity: The hypebeasts’ philosophy is based on buying limited-edition items. This feature makes the clothes seem more fashionable.
- Menswear: While streetwear is gender-neutral, it is closely associated with traditionally masculine pieces. It includes bomber jackets and workwear.
- Contemporary art: Some streetwear tees borrow logos or work from famous artists. This is not always a sanctioned partnership.
Some Popular Streetwear Brands
Streetwear is more than just a fashion label. It is a vibrant expression of contemporary culture. Today, many companies are engaged in the production of streetwear. Let’s take a closer look at some popular manufacturers:
- Hellstar: Hellstar is another streetwear company that combines Christian motifs with a dark cyberpunk aesthetic. Its T-shirts, hoodies, and pants are suitable for everyday wear and special occasions.
- Sp5der: Sp5der is a streetwear brand founded in 2019 in Atlanta. Its products include t-shirts, hoodies, caps, and other items featuring characteristics such as cobwebs and rhinestones. Sp5der’s popularity is due to its eccentric design language.
- Denim Tears: This brand offers streetwear made from cotton, nylon, denim, and other materials. Its range includes shirts, pants, and sweatshirts, which feature different graphic motifs, symbols, and catchphrases in their designs.
How to care for streetwear?
You must provide your branded items with the proper care if you want to retain their impeccable appearance for a long time. Here are some valuable tips:
- Air dries more often than in the machine. Machine drying uses an artificial method to dry things faster, which can help the fabric. If you have time, choose to dry them in the open air.
- Do not wash streetwear with warm clothes, mix light and heavy items in the same wash, or wash coloured things with white T-shirts.
- Use the proper detergents. Special gentle detergents designed for premium clothing will protect the textile from damage.
Conclusion
Street fashion began in the counterculture. Now, it may seem full of rules, but the primary trend of street style is to be yourself. Do not be afraid to create original combinations; you can become a trendsetter.
