Streetwear vs Lifestyle [Archive]

bboy3000icecol

08-04-2006, 03:55 AM

just a random thought.........i hear people always talkin about the streetwear culture, streetwear this, streetwear that, but with culture comes lifestyle. is there really a streetwear lifestyle? i know for the brands/designers that create the clothing that there's a lifestyle for them (the office, tradeshows, brand parties, etc), but for the people that support the brands is there really a streetwear culture/lifestyle for them besides just shopping (retail/internet) and a occassional party? i'm just curious to see what the hypebeasters do to participate in this culture, i wanna hear how other people live the streetwear lifestyle. me myself, i just buy stuff from Union (NY) and go to hypebeast, there's really no culture in that, or am i missing something?

Kicks Reign Supreme

08-04-2006, 04:18 AM

There's no such thing as a "culture/lifestyle". Thats how people label what they dont understand, if they see a small group look and dress the same they make a sweeping generalization, kinda like race jokes. Not every person on HB goes to trade shows, sneaker parties, etc. Some may even consider that stuff uninteresting. Every one's different, but we hold a small similarity. Me personally, I could care less if a "streetwear" brand designs a new shirt for the season. I do sneakers, that's my passion. If im diggin a particular shirt, I buy it. I don't need to know who they skated with, what punk bands they liked, how popular they are or what city they bombed in. Alll that shit is unnecessary info, unless you're a die hard fan. If they're cool guys you used to run with back in the day, then that's another story, but dont feed into that label that pop culture puts on you:)

KC Demion

08-04-2006, 04:24 AM

steppingrazor

08-04-2006, 05:44 AM

is there really a streetwear culture/lifestyle for them besides just shopping (retail/internet) and a occassional party?

nope, thats pretty much it.

Drebrooklyn

08-04-2006, 11:02 AM

I mean it's basically the way u carry yourself wearing the clothes and sneakers..all about your swagger...a lot of my friends are not into the brands i'm in but that's ok...and as far as the parties, event and all that i go to some when i have the time but it's not necessary to feel like your living a lifestyle

Theseventhletter

08-04-2006, 11:29 AM

i didnt know there was a lifestyle to me its always been just life if youre a designer yea you hit up a party or something alot of us share common intrests but thats far from enough to classify us as having our own distinct lifestyle for example umm the hundreds or brown babies they party and drink like hell im interested in the same shit and like their brands( hundreds not BBS no homo) but i occasionally party and never drink feel me they have a clubbing lifestyle i personally dont think beyond our fashion and maybe music and artistic we all live similar lives

sorry if my example sucks im rushing and im at work:)

jimmaye

08-04-2006, 12:37 PM

this is a good topic.

i guess it can be a lifestyle since streetwear kinda goes hand in hand with the whole skateboarding, music, partying, & sneaker culture. some people just wear the clothes and that's it, and could really care less about going to parties, or skateboarding or whatever. and that's fine, it just depends on you.

bigsink

08-04-2006, 12:58 PM

jimmaye

08-04-2006, 01:01 PM

alot of people confuse streetwear with skateboarding.

I dont know anyone that skate boards, havent even seen a person skateboard in 10+ years. I live in the bronx. My 'streetwear' is reality based and obviously hip hop influenced.

no ones confusing anything. just because you haven't seen anyone skate where you live doesn't mean that it doesn't have a direct influence on streetwear.

bigsink

08-04-2006, 01:03 PM

it does. of course.

but im talking about "street wear" websites. The general consensus is skate based.

ballday

08-04-2006, 01:35 PM

alot of people confuse streetwear with skateboarding.

I dont know anyone that skate boards, havent even seen a person skateboard in 10+ years. I live in the bronx. My 'streetwear' is reality based and obviously hip hop influenced.

the whole scene ..well most of it..really got its roots from early hip hop...grafiti,bboyz,dj's, late 80's early 90's urban New York scene.

ballday

08-04-2006, 01:39 PM

ill post that anutha tyme.

KC Demion

08-04-2006, 01:55 PM

this is a good topic.

i guess it can be a lifestyle since streetwear kinda goes hand in hand with the whole skateboarding, .
He's right many people do mix streetwear and skateboarding just the other day another one of these Dirty South local Rap dudes said to me look at the skater boy and he said that b cuz of the stuff that i was wearing AKA "streetwear"

I dont even skateboard i try a little but my thing is Hip-Hop and basketball

ballday

08-04-2006, 02:04 PM

i do see alot of fuckin people wearing dunks and 'steetwear' apparel this year, when just a few months ago muthafukas were rockin seanjohn, rocawear,...playin ball and shit..now they trying to learn to skate, wearing glasses and shyt all of a sudden,...i hate those cats.

put back on ur jordan retros and yur crazy big fitted cap.

i know that people change styles but this shit is just the trendy new look for alot of them.

KC Demion

08-04-2006, 02:10 PM

I guess its alright to change styles but you got to have a legit reason.
If you do it b cuz everyone else is doing it or you just trying to be early on a new trend then you have a problem. But if this really appeals to you then go ahead. I cant even front i freaked my style but only b cuz i felt like that this is what appealed to me.

DUM

08-04-2006, 02:11 PM

A lot of streetwear did come from the skate culture. You can't deny that.

KC Demion

08-04-2006, 02:15 PM

A lot of streetwear did come from the skate culture. You can't deny that.
You right but a lot of it comes from the days of early hip-hop that is why i got into. mainly b cuz the graffiti aspect you cant 4get that. part of the whole "culture" is art

cpaik

08-04-2006, 02:19 PM

A lot of streetwear did come from the skate culture. You can't deny that.

i think the pervasive attitude in streetwear is "fuck mainstream," a mentality that is found in every subculture (almost by definition). skating, as a subculture, took a big role in defining streetwear because the skate scene was one of the bigger subcultures.

if you look at it, streetwear is basically on the same level as couture. although it hurts to think about it, supreme, bape, NBHD are not very different from labels like spruce, number (n)ine, carpe diem and dior homme. These brands are meant to separate us from the mainstream, so when you buy a shirt, some dude at the same party isn't rocking it too, or when someone asks you where you got your shit, you can tell em it's long sold out.

basically i think the streetwear "lifestyle" can only be approximated with the "fuck mainstream" attitude, which has its roots in the desire to be unique. it's a sentiment similar to indie rock or underground rap, where going big is selling out

KC Demion

08-04-2006, 02:48 PM

i think the pervasive attitude in streetwear is "fuck mainstream," a mentality that is found in every subculture (almost by definition). skating, as a subculture, took a big role in defining streetwear because the skate scene was one of the bigger subcultures.

if you look at it, streetwear is basically on the same level as couture. although it hurts to think about it, supreme, bape, NBHD are not very different from labels like spruce, number (n)ine, carpe diem and dior homme. These brands are meant to separate us from the mainstream, so when you buy a shirt, some dude at the same party isn't rocking it too, or when someone asks you where you got your shit, you can tell em it's long sold out.

basically i think the streetwear "lifestyle" can only be approximated with the "fuck mainstream" attitude, which has its roots in the desire to be unique. it's a sentiment similar to indie rock or underground rap, where going big is selling out
That What I Been trying to say

KC Demion

08-04-2006, 02:52 PM

So when a brand goes corporate do we cut them off

cpaik

08-04-2006, 03:00 PM

I'd only stop rocking a brand if the design started getting old or if the company started projecting an image I didn't want. For example, A&F made great cargo shorts when I was in middle-school. Then they got all uber-sexual so I stopped wearing them. However, I'd consider Stussy mainstream, but that doesn't stop me from buying their shirts because they have awesome designs.

mainstream is a double-edged sword. it's cool to have shit that's known about, so people recognize/give you props for being up on it. but if you have stuff that's too obscure, no one knows what the fk you're wearing.

means

08-04-2006, 03:06 PM

^what's wrong with that? Isn't it sometimes about dressing for yourself and not giving a fuck about what someone else thinks?

cpaik

08-04-2006, 03:08 PM

^what's wrong with that? Isn't it sometimes about dressing for yourself and not giving a fuck about what someone else thinks?

to me, when i wear a brand, i project a part of that company. When A&F came out with those shirts that were discriminatory against Asians, I knew that I didn't want to project that image anymore. Same thing with people who like American Apparel because it's sweatshop free labor. There's more to brands than just the physical product, it's also the philosophy too.

ballday

08-04-2006, 03:13 PM

^what's wrong with that? Isn't it sometimes about dressing for yourself and not giving a fuck about what someone else thinks?

thats good to live by..i need to re-apply that to myself.
but its hard when you like something and 12 other people you past on the way to the store all got on ur shyt..or a brand that made something that looks just like it.

DUM

08-04-2006, 03:15 PM

I think Means meant when you said "then no one knows what the fuck you're wearing"

cpaik

08-04-2006, 03:18 PM

Gotcha. I think something that we all need to admit to ourselves is that deep down inside, we all want attention. We want credit for shit that we do, credit for the money we spend on things. So when you drop $90 on a tee shirt, you want others to know that. And if they don't, anyone who claims that they're satisfied with just themselves knowing is a liar.

matic

08-04-2006, 03:27 PM

obviously not everyone lives the 'lifestyle' ...but if you do want to see it, it's pretty damn evident down in Soho/East Village/LES.

KC Demion

08-04-2006, 04:38 PM

DUM

08-04-2006, 04:59 PM

Nope, I'm completely fine with wearing a brand no one knows about. I don't need 'credit' for what I'm wearing. If I like it I'm fine.

cpaik

08-04-2006, 05:09 PM

Nope, I'm completely fine with wearing a brand no one knows about. I don't need 'credit' for what I'm wearing. If I like it I'm fine.

I wouldn't have a problem wearing brands that no one knows about either (given they have cool designs). What I'm saying is that when people spend money, they want recognition.

If you paid $500 for a pair of shoes, would you be okay with people not recognizing them as $500 shoes? If someone asked how much they cost, would you be fine telling them $50?

bigsink

08-04-2006, 05:27 PM

As much as we deny it.. most people here wear shit FOR the people here. Its about impressing those who do know about the shit. Alot of people justify buying ugly ass shirts because they are a hypebeast brand.

the shit is.. 99% of the population ARENT into these brands... and will not know wtf your wearing. For example: I dont think I will ever know someone personally who owns a Tank Theory shirt.

What I'm saying is that when people spend money, they want recognition.

Bull shit. These are a different breed of people. Mostly those who jumped the Bape bandwagon.

I dont fit into this mold.

I have a pair of $450 Oliver People shades with no visible brandings or logos anywhere. They look like a pair of $4 shades. I know their value and could care less what others know/think.

Most of the people into the streetwear scene are young, impressionable, and loaded with $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

so when you buy a shirt, some dude at the same party isn't rocking it too

The chances are greater for two people at the same party rocking the same bape hoody, or the same stussy biggie tee.. than your typical mall clothes. People go out their way to be different only to look like other people who are also trying to be different...

KC Demion

08-04-2006, 05:32 PM

As much as we deny it.. most people here wear shit FOR the people here. Its about impressing those who do know about the shit. Alot of people justify buying ugly ass shirts because they are a hypebeast brand.

the shit is.. 99% of the population ARENT into these brands... and will not know wtf your wearing. For example: I dont think I will ever know someone personally who owns a Tank Theory shirt.

Bull shit. These are a different breed of people. Mostly those who jumped the Bape bandwagon.

I dont fit into this mold.

I have a pair of $450 Oliver People shades with no visible brandings or logos anywhere. They look like a pair of $4 shades. I know their value and could care less what others know/think.

Most of the people into the streetwear scene are young, impressionable, and loaded with $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

The chances are greater for two people at the same party rocking the same bape hoody, or the same stussy biggie tee.. than your typical mall clothes. People go out their way to be different only to look like other people who are also trying to be different...
I dont fully agree

cpaik

08-04-2006, 05:52 PM

As much as we deny it.. most people here wear shit FOR the people here. Its about impressing those who do know about the shit. Alot of people justify buying ugly ass shirts because they are a hypebeast brand.

I agree with you here, that's really what I've been saying.

the shit is.. 99% of the population ARENT into these brands... and will not know wtf your wearing. For example: I dont think I will ever know someone personally who owns a Tank Theory shirt.

I actually know a bunch of heads who are up on streetwear, maybe you just live in a secluded area or haven't gotten out much. But I agree that most people don't know about them, which adds to the exclusivity factor and ultimately the appeal of streetwear.

What I'm saying is that when people spend money, they want recognition
Bull shit. These are a different breed of people. Mostly those who jumped the Bape bandwagon.

Strongly disagree with you here. Why do you think people buy expensive jewelry, sports cars, houses, art etc. It's to be recognized. The status game is age old and is the only reason designer brands exist. It's the only reason why Scientology is a religion right now.

I dont fit into this mold.

I have a pair of $450 Oliver People shades with no visible brandings or logos anywhere. They look like a pair of $4 shades. I know their value and could care less what others know/think.

I'm just gonna go ahead and say I think you're in denial. Either that or you want recognition for not wanting recognition, which is attention-whorish in itself. If you really didn't want recognition for your attitude, you wouldn't have posted that tidbit.

Most of the people into the streetwear scene are young, impressionable, and loaded with $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Nope, just the people on internet forums. A lot of the older crowd don't bother with hypebeast, ISS or niketalk. They're old enough and wise enough to choose their own style. Their time is also more expensive.

The chances are greater for two people at the same party rocking the same bape hoody, or the same stussy biggie tee.. than your typical mall clothes. People go out their way to be different only to look like other people who are also trying to be different...

I didn't mean just at parties, I meant in general. People buy obscure/unique clothes to be unique.

Fisticuffs

08-04-2006, 09:27 PM

I don't go for spending large amounts. I look for designs first. I got a $10 Uniqlo shirt that always has people looking or asking about it.

I just got into streetwear primarily for the designs. I don't associate w/the lifestyle or streetwear clique. I avoid that aspect.

I want to be noticed but the best way to do so is to have an eye catching product. I don't want to impress streetwear heads. The true test is if you can get a mainstream head to notice you. They're not giving you praise because you have some limited shit but because they like your shirt, hoodie, etc.

KillaKate

08-04-2006, 10:01 PM

come on to live the lifestyle you totally have to have your picture on cobrasnake or last nights party at least twice a week or your not worthy of the streetwear lifestyle. pssh get with it people.

RyanRodriguez

08-04-2006, 10:19 PM

What about the people that like skatebrands/streetbrands/walmart shit? cuz the shit I wear defnitely influences me, but not all of it is streetwear man. You do get a choice, and I think streetwear shit is hella dope fresh ill word zeen bumba bloodclawt marvellous dope, but I dont think that streetwear influenced me but more of just hip hop and like...graffiti and making music and shit and it's like you wana put yourself out there, but u cant be lookin like a fool right...Pretty much all I'm sayin is the shit i was doin way before I even knew about this culture made me like it even more cuz it coencided with my previous lifestyle, then you just blend what lifestyles you got and make lemonade. y'feel meh?

mtl

08-05-2006, 05:10 AM

Aiyo!

I'm down with streetwear and I'm not down with streetwear at the same time. I don't mess with Bape, I think Stussy is kinda lame (I'm not a fan of shirts with brands slapped all over the front of them.. I do respect Stussy's longevity, however), I don't understand why shirts that say Crooks & Castles on the front sell out (oh wait, Jay-z wore it), and I think most of the people on this forum are sheep.

My lifestyle is being unique and being me. I don't let anyone or anything define me. If I like something, I wear it. I like streetwear because where I'm from, Montreal, everyone wears Diesel with their latest Prada sunglasses etc and I just love being the polar opposite of that and being 100000x fresher. I'm a freaking accountant student. I wear a hoody that says 'Fucking Awesome' all over it to class. My teachers think I'm a nut-job. And you know what? I fucking love it.

I like certain things, but it's funny sitting back and watching a brand like Diamond simply exploit this recent insurgence of streetwear

etcetera

08-05-2006, 05:49 AM

well i am a young head (16yrs in september) and ive been onto just abt everthing having to do with street as a culture but street itself and duly so, since i live in the suburbs of MD (are there anything but suburbs in md? nvm diff topic) ive always been into real underground music of all kinds, into graff as a spectator (not personally), have wished to skateboard since tony hawk 1 came out (but where does an 11 year old find a skate shop or even other skaters in MD?!!? nowhere...) and i got onto fashion in general around 4 years ago...and the internet recently brought it all together for me (that and a very small group of very frseh peeps at my highschool)

street is like that thing that was there that i felt i was supposed to be apart of but never knew existed

if that makes sense to you all, i say that to say this: living the life style is just doing your part of the culture that youre in it for. some one sed they got into street for the hiphop aspect, ok then if u listen to underground ish and dj or whatnot, ur livin the lifestyle. if u got into street for the skate/punk aspect, ur livin the lifestyle...im tryna say that this thing is all about not having these boundaries/limitations/walls on what one person should indulge in as their "life style" so street is what u make it as long as its not maintstream...and i think the clothing part comes in as the major tie in for the various subcultures...

just my 2cents take it or leave it

*please excuse the spelling/grammatical errors, im veryvery tired right now, but the subject caught my eye so i wanted to get in my opinion as the last thing i do before i collapse into a deep slumber on my keyboard*

bigsink

08-05-2006, 03:11 PM

I'm just gonna go ahead and say I think you're in denial. Either that or you want recognition for not wanting recognition, which is attention-whorish in itself. If you really didn't want recognition for your attitude, you wouldn't have posted that tidbit.

Not at all. No one has ever asked me what kind of shades they were because they assume they are cheap-o's. Thats fine with me. I spent $450 because they looked nice on me.. which was a rarity and totally worth the price.

cpaik

08-05-2006, 04:48 PM

Not at all. No one has ever asked me what kind of shades they were because they assume they are cheap-o's. Thats fine with me. I spent $450 because they looked nice on me.. which was a rarity and totally worth the price.

Why did you tell us then if you didn't want recognition?

BeanerwithBBC

08-05-2006, 07:51 PM

i was talking to this guy at Union and he told me hes not into "Botique Gangster Style"

after we stopped talking i kept wondering what the fuck Botique Ganster style was.

can anyone clarify this

homi

08-05-2006, 08:24 PM

i agree with the post starter that streetwear itself isnt quite a lifestyle

it is surrounded and affilated with other things that are however (music, graf, skate, hip-hop, punk, metal, etc etc etc)

I think however it goes beyond just clothes and represents certain unique and important values

independent business and entrepeuership
standing out from a crowd
middle class work ethic
rebellion against conformity
etc

homi

08-05-2006, 08:25 PM

i was talking to this guy at Union and he told me hes not into "Botique Gangster Style"

after we stopped talking i kept wondering what the fuck Botique Ganster style was.

can anyone clarify this

think lil wayne , etc who wear BAPE super baggy and are onto the next trend, without really knowing bout what they're wearing or why

not hating on wayne, i think hes a dope rapper, but thats probably what he meant

etcetera

08-06-2006, 03:45 AM

PlaboY

08-06-2006, 07:54 AM

i think streetwear isn't a lifestyle itself, but it's part of many different lifestyles...for instance, rap is just one element of hip hop...so just because a person likes rap, doesn't mean they're living the lifestyle...me personally, i turned to streetwear because it was more me...i live in Atlanta and i'm not at all like these dudes down here with there Reeboks and Tall Tees, and it was kinda an excape route from being categorized with these fools...but i still rock shit like Polo, Lacoste, Gucci, Vuitton, ect...

Kingkoor

08-06-2006, 09:53 AM

For me streetwear has always been a lifestyle and to be honest it started from young rollin with a crew of skaters. It was DC Birdhouse ect ect back then but the were like what i see as the equivelent of brands commin out nowadays. Maybe not the same exact influence but some for sure. Also i picked up alot of my interest from the live music culture. I always wanted to grab up a new tee from an artist or a limited tour shirt and i think that spawned my love for streetwear as well. But i do feel it as a lifestyle I live not neccesarily with parties and stuff, but it all stemmed from my life experiences and passions.

yo bigsink, I stay in the bronx too up on Bedford Park and Jerome and must say i dont believe you never seen a kid skating. They roll hard out by Lehman and the Resevoir.

Facts

08-07-2006, 11:54 AM

I wouldn't have a problem wearing brands that no one knows about either (given they have cool designs). What I'm saying is that when people spend money, they want recognition.

If you paid $500 for a pair of shoes, would you be okay with people not recognizing them as $500 shoes? If someone asked how much they cost, would you be fine telling them $50?

Even though we had our disagreement on Once Upon a Time, I completely agree with everything you've posted on this.

There is no 'lifestyle' associated with street wear. BUT - I believe the whole fuck mainstream mentality applies, and is a huge driving force.

And everyone buys or rocks their clothes for recognition, even if it's only recognition from themselves or a select few, but stunting, and being fly has always been something found in our society.

bigsink

08-07-2006, 01:25 PM

Why did you tell us then if you didn't want recognition?

because you said people buy expensive things to get noticed..
thats not quite true..

cpaik

08-07-2006, 02:35 PM

because you said people buy expensive things to get noticed..
thats not quite true..

Let me rephrase. People buy expensive things to let other people know they live large.

You bought $450 shades. You claim that you don't need anyone else to know they were $450 except yourself, even though they look like $6 Walmart shades. Two questions for you:

1. Why are you telling us that they cost $450 if you don't need to tell anyone that. By "letting us know" about that tidbit, you are seeking attention for being counter-culture. Like emo kids who want attention because they don't want attention. Think about it.

2. If you REALLY REALLY still think that it doesn't matter if you spend $450 or $6 on shades and no one has to know, why the FK didn't you just buy $6 shades? And don't say quality, cuz that's bullshit.

And everyone buys or rocks their clothes for recognition, even if it's only recognition from themselves or a select few, but stunting, and being fly has always been something found in our society.

Exactly what I've been saying. To me, streetwear is the same game played by the upper crust: (relatively) big spending to seek attention and trying to be one up on the Joneses, be it in knowledge, kicks on your feet or clothing. Same damn game, different setting.