Streetwear appeared in the 1990’s and has recently been reaching new levels of popularity. Many luxury fashion brands are now embracing streetwear and selling their own versions of it.
These new versions sometimes show the public how little these brands know of streetwear. We’ll discuss some of the biggest misconceptions that fashion has about streetwear.
Misconceptions about streetwear
There are several misconceptions about streetwear. Here are some of the main ones.
“Streetwear is just a fashion style”
False. Streetwear is not just a style.
It’s a culture.
The stacked flares, the baggy jeans, and the t-shirts with colorful graphics are all part of a broader cultural phenomenon. So, what is streetwear culture? Originally, it was a mix of New York’s hip hop scene and California’s surf culture.
Streetwear mirrored the relaxed, cool, unconventional and rebellious aspects of both the surf and hip-hop communities. It emerged as a style for the outcasts, those that society frowns upon or considers to be lazy. That’s right, one of the biggest misconceptions about surfers is that they’re lazy.
Streetwear soon became the embodiment of a new cultural phenomenon. One that started to appreciate these outcast communities and their rejection of societal conventions.
Many individuals began to embrace streetwear because they also wanted to free themselves from suffocating societal conventions.
Streetwear is not governed by fashion rules. It goes against many fashion rules and, by extension, societal conventions. Many people also feel that streetwear gives them agency and power. They are the ones who create their streetwear outfits and shape the style with their culture.
They have the freedom to experiment and have fun with their outfits. They can be less conventional and more creative.
After all, isn’t streetwear for ‘streetwearers’?
It has changed over the years, but streetwear mostly remains:
- unconventional
- unpretentious
- relatable
- comfortable
- and, for the most part, accessible and affordable (more on this later)
“Streetwear can easily be explained and categorized”
Some individuals believe that streetwear can easily be defined and put in a box or category. But that’s not true.
Streetwear is complex. It’s not a static trend or cultural phenomenon.
For example, streetwear nowadays is different from streetwear in the early 90s. Similarly, streetwear in the early 90s was not the same as streetwear in the late 90s.
Nowadays, many clothing items and styles can be considered streetwear.
In other words, streetwear is a flexible and versatile style and culture. It varies and changes over time.
It is not a static fashion trend. It constantly reinvents itself, drawing from different sources of inspiration and different trends.
Because of its constant evolution, it’s hard to explain, define and categorize streetwear. But maybe that’s the entire point?
Maybe it needs to be everchanging, free-flowing and adaptable. Otherwise, it becomes conventional.
“Streetwear is for the select few”
As mentioned above, luxury brands are now embracing streetwear. They are selling very expensive baggy jeans, hoodies, sneakers, and more.
Their creations are great, but they are turning streetwear into an expensive fashion style that few can afford.
What was once an affordable and relatable style is now unaffordable for most.
These luxury interpretations of streetwear show a lack of understanding of true streetwear culture and values.
Streetwear was meant for outcast communities, sub-cultures and for those who felt out of place.
It was meant for those who had chosen an unconventional lifestyle and who wanted to free themselves from what they considered to be an oppressive system.
Streetwear embodied these groups’ carefree and rebellious nature. It was a way for these communities to express their creativity.
It was not elitist or difficult to access. It was not for the select few who could afford to buy luxury items.
In short, streetwear is meant to be affordable and accessible to all.
Final thoughts
These are some of the biggest misconceptions about streetwear.
Let us know what you think in the comments below!
