The history of urban clothing

Streetwear began to appear in the early 1980s to reflect the hip-hop culture that was emerging at the time. Similar to music itself, fashions and clothing have changed, matured, and evolved over the years to become what we know is used around the world. As has always been the case, many fashion trends follow the clothing and looks of those in the music industry, and indeed the hip-hop genre is no different. In fact, “street fashion” has developed its own subculture.

When we think of streetwear many of us who have more than a passing interest will be able to name dedicated designers, but that was not the case in the early 1980s. At that time it was more closely associated with major sportswear companies like Nike. and Adidas, backed by the fact that Run-DMC had a hit called “My Adidas.” Sneakers, trainers, and lots of glitter were considered a must-have for dedicated fans of fashion. A signature hairstyle, one that broke boundaries, was also considered essential if you wanted to look good!

As hip-hop grew in popularity, so did its legitimacy in terms of being recognized as a musical genre in its own right. As this was happening, streetwear became more recognized and noticed by brands outside of the sportswear industry. Streetwear was more than a passing craze, it was something that was here to stay.

In their early days, the styles could be closely associated with an African influence with artists like Will Smith wearing green and gold associated with the continent. As we entered the 1990s, gangsta rap began to emerge and became a part of fashion. A street appearance influenced by gang and prison cultures was beginning to develop. Baseball caps, baggy jeans that fell low, t-shirts and sports jerseys were now taking over from the highly shaped and stylized original image. Later in the decade, some began to look for a more refined style, with double-breasted suits and dress shoes that now become part of the necessary clothing.

As we entered the new millennium, streetwear began to enter more mainstream and, in fact, had a wide variety of influences, including those outside of hip-hop. As a result, large chains began to include clothing as part of their ranges and various artists in the music industry began developing their own clothing lines, including Russell Simmons’ Phat Farm and Jay-Z’s Rocawear.

In the modern age of fashion, we are all familiar with the major brands, many of which are still associated with the sportswear industry. Some like to show a lot of skin, while others are certainly much more conservative. However, whatever your taste for both men and women, no look would be complete without the right accessories. Streetwear has a lot to do with the glitz and glamor of living larger than life.

If you are a dedicated follower of streetwear, you will want to find a supplier that has the best brands and the latest designs. You want to be sure you look like business and your style cannot be questioned!