I'm Confused? What The F Is Streetwear Nowadays!

[bboy3000icecol]

What is everybody's definition of "Streetwear Culture"? I always hear people talkin' bout this guy (insert rapper here) is fuckin' up the culture, that guy (insert new streetwear brand here) is fuckin' up the culture, and I don't get it? I always thought streetwear was about independence, rockin' brands that come from the streets not the corporate machines. It was clothing for the streets from the streets, and it was all about being fly, fresh 2 def and some shit had messages or whatever! And to be apart of the streetwear scene you just support the brands you like and rep it with your own flav and call it a day! It was all about who your are as a person and what you stood for. As a individual you could wear whatever you liked how ever you liked. How can someone fuck the culture up? In the last few years shit got real confusing to me. I don't get it, can someone please explain!

[DUM]

You suck at posting.

[sugarbooger]

in the beginning, it was all about it being independent, and underground, and that kind of shit that you wouldn't know what it was because you've never seen it on anyone before. now there are so many people up on shit, and up on the same exact shit, the companies are making more money (good for them because they work hard, and should be able to support themselves), but the people following it are losing the individuality that the originators so desperately seeked. and there are probably hundreds, if not thousands of people lurking on websites and message boards like this, just so they can be up on what's hot, rather than developing their own personal taste and style. there's a bit of a fad going on right now

what people actually define as streetwear is open for interperatation, any of the big "urban" companies can be defined as streetwear, just as well as any of the little brands can.

[jjs home]

yes you are right streetwear has been hi-jacked for its "cultural" meaning. It is no longer about the people creating the clothes and what they do and how they live and blah blah blah. Its just the coolest new clothes to wear, as I've said before 90% of people on this board and everwhere else have no concept of where the whole movement came from or anything else they couldn't read no a messageboard, and genuinely don't care. Whatever appears in a blog generally has instant credibility to them and they are fine with that whether its some shit thats really just a joke to people who have been about this before it was cool.

If you loved streetwear you should face the fact that its the new trend de jour and keep it movin or just become comfortable benig seen as a winer by the ignorant, because its now just netwear and is solely based on how many print hoodies or colorful tees you can make and how many people want to read your blog

[bobbyhundreds]

The problem with the word "streetwear" is it doesn't really exist.
Most established "streetwear" brands cringe at the sound of that word. No one likes to claim it. Yet, the media has to use it to embody this "culture" ...basically, it makes things easier for the media.

Just like when the media labeled "grunge" music as such, even though Nirvana or Pearl Jam never referred to themselves with a label. They were just punk bands from Seattle. Just like how the most well-known emo bands would never refer to themselves as "emo."

Anyways, you're not the only one who's confused. In my humble opinion, there is no exact birthplace or definition of streetwear. Some people have conjectured the term itself came from skate company Vision Streetwear. Others claim that the first true streetwear brands were Stussy, Freshjive, XLarge, etc., mainly because they were cross-subcultural t-shirt-based brands that catered to a broad youth demographic. Up until the last show, Magic Tradeshow referred to our entire convention floor as "STREETWEAR," which consisted of everyone from King Stampede to Rocawear to Artful Dodger to Paul Frank. Now, the MAGIC heads are re-thinking the layout of the tradeshow and splitting the brands up. Because like you, the consumer, they've realized that one singular title can't refer to all those brands.

Honestly, I haven't heard the word "streetwear" thrown around as much as it's been thrown around the past several years. Even when we started off in the industry 3 years ago, it was only really about guys doin' independent t-shirt-based labels. Not about STREETWEAR STREET CULTURE STREET STREET.

The closest anyone has come to compiling a definition of "streetwear" culture is Steven Vogel with his "UNTITLED" books. Pick both up if you can. Also, Steven's workin' on another project right now that will truly encompass "streetwear," so be on the lookout for that.

Anyways. Yeah.

[Daijobu]

"STREETWEAR" = BE FROM A NICE NEIGHBORHOOD BUT WEAR "URBAN CLOTHING". This means you have to wear a FITTED CAP, a PLAIN TSHIRT (perferrably exclusive and only people who either got it or tried to get it know that it is EXCLUSIVE), some JEANS that are not baggy, and some dunks or some other shoes that definately arn't released to the GENERAL PUBLIC... and then bam your in the game man. You're HIP!

[Diamond]

It's a small culture of sneakerheads, skaters
and fashion forward people that set the trends for mainstream
companies to follow.

That's what I see it to be.

[KillaKate]

It was clothing for the streets from the streets,


Everytime someone says this I giggle.And its nothing against you.

[Subculture]

Just another label people put on shit.....to me a shirt is a damn shirt

[thelion1856]

when i got into the clothing brands like the hundreds, mishka, mighty healthy, stussy, ect... i never thought of im wearing "streetwear". What luerd me was the thought of the dope designs on some of the shirts and the limited scene. It also had something to do with the type of shirts i use to wear as a kid like stussy.

Streetwear is such a general term, and with the internet connecting people everything seems to merge, it becomes harder to put a lable on things. Could you order clothing from Singapoor, Japan or the UK 7 years ago? Prolly not, but now its so much easier.

What about music? "Mashups" are pretty popular now, about 7 to 10 years ago they didnt even know what to call this style of music. Now there are singers and artists who cant be catagorized in one type of genra. The same thing is going on in the independant clothing industry.

So you can be pissed that "streetwear" is now "netwear" but face it this is how it is going to be from now on. And what are you going to do if one day you walk into macys and see 10 deep on their racks? or worse walk into target and see your "streetwear" brand u use to wear on thier racks?


And what about 10 years from now? Will brands like supreme, the hundreds, mighty healthy or 10 deep make retro shirts of their limited edition shirts from now like Nike does with the retro Jordans or other Nike shoes?

Will there ever be a retro paisley? retro 10 deep chaingang hoody? Maybe 10 15 years from now? What would that say about "streetwear"?

[JustForKicks]

Streetwear is what everyday people wear while walking down the 'streets'! The end.

[steppingrazor]

Fuck the STREETS. i think the worst thing going on in "streetwear" is that people put too much emphasis on how "street" they are. like thats even a fucking criteria. bobby put it best - INDEPENDANTLY OWNED AND OPERATED is the best determination. If it doesnt start small its not real because the design is determined by Return On Investment.

[Kicks Reign Supreme]

Popular culture and assclowns who try to keep up with every trend, labels it "streetwear". Normal people call it clothes.


Just buy a shirt with cute colors or designs, or a quirky hip-hop reference.
Then cop some ridiculously priced "selvege" jeans or whatever
Finally, buy some overhyped plain kicks designed by a "special" store or person.

And be happy with your life.

[fiest]

Yeah, i'd vouch for the idea that a true "streetwear" label has to embody the ideal of that culture they're targeting. Being independently owned/run is a plus.

But, like Nike targeting a segment with the SB's, it makes things hazy in terms of credibility, which is sooooo crucial in this industry.

I amm very much confused on this notion that "streetwear" has to eb from the streets too. Define streets, and you'll find that many of these labels didnt originate in urban locations. Streetwear is just a title for the soundbite generation.


Good post. for once.

[unlimitedchirp]

they should call it 'blogwear' or 'ebaywear' or 'internet coolguy wear' now

[Daijobu]

^cosign

[thelion1856]

here are all your possible streetwear:


internet x hype x independent clothing co x cool dude


cool shirt x hoody x tightfit selvage/wash/raw jeans x exclusive or limited kicks


media x 16 to 30 yo males

[mr. newbie]

i love this thread. internet coolguys win.

[C to the J L]

streetwear is what we make it..and how everything unfolds to this day..so when people post what the fuck happened..this is fucked up blah blah blah..this isnt streetwear..it is...because its what it evolved into.

[steppingrazor]

I think the use of "internet cool-guy" and saying things like this

'blogwear' or 'ebaywear' or 'internet coolguy wear'

is stupid since you guys are on the HYPEBEAST forum. if youre going to talk shit on stuff cuz its hyped on the internet, log the fuck off and walk down to your local store.

[Theseventhletter]

i personally htink its a generic label like the word minority its just something used 2 label people who dont quite fit the exact standards of what most people do just wear what you like and as far as internet cool guys n shit youre saying this but youre on hypebeast everyday why do we log on? kuz its a way fro us to access what we like and be introduced to new things we might like or might not some "streetwear" kids blend in some dont

[homi]

streetwear to me , was originally inspired by the gritty street cultures found in various cities.

the true innovators actually took inspiration from their surroundings, lifestyles, musical tastes etc. to put into their clothing.

this spawned several other generations of like minded individuals, who began independently running businesses or clothing lines

fast forward to today, and the internet has blown the door wide open to the masses, yet in the grand scheme the numbers are tiny (streetwear , coolguys, Hybeasts blah blah) are miniscule compared to emo kids, fashionistas, brand whores, eurotrash style, prep, frat boys etc etc

so to me streetwear embodies that style which was initially inspired by street cultures.. however today, many of those in the culture sort of fake the fizzle and are after money , fame, or just trying to be cool in their own eyes..

because now people get inspired by blogs, or other clothes, instead of the source material.

ie inspired by tiffany dunks, instead of skateboarding itself

[jjs home]

I agree that the name streetwear in itself is stupid. I always though that the name urbanwear was stupid as well, but bottomline everything gets labeled so that it can be directed towards particular markets by sellers.

I don't really give much leviety to whether its independently owned or not, because i feel the designs speak more to the market and consumer. A suposedly independtly owned brand can severly fuck up a great idea so I'd rather see a quality product then you provin to me you're struggling to do it youself by giving an inferior product. I prefer to go by the markets labels and simply define the term by the product design and the target cnosumer. The difference in the street concept is these designs are no longer targeted at a small small niche market, they are marketed to everybody that has a cmoputer and whats to be cool. i can't blame em, get that money, but I definetly don't see it as having the same level as integrity as it once had, but its cool to see well made clothes

[Admin]

streetwear (or whatever you want to call it) should not be determined by blogs but rather by yourself. Wear what you like, not the hype.

You will most likely never see me decked out in bape camo cuz thats not my style.

[means]

When I hear "don't buy the hype" or any such thing I think said folks are kind of being a bit hyprocritical. No offense to Super Mod Guy from God's Grace, though. We all "Buy Hype" everyday. I mean, if you drink coke you had to have "bought" their hype at one point thus turning you on to something you like about their product. Sure, you don't see kids mass consuming coke and driving a 75 cent can to well over $100 or anything--at least not yet, I think Nigo might have that in the works--but the principle is still there. When people hate on kids who say "Rock what you like" I just laugh.

The Streetwear concept/label seemed to have been started to catagorize likeminded cats who happen to be into the same style and/or movement. The movement in this case seems to be the idea that buying mass produced and readily available goods from, say Walmart or whatever, is a bad idea and having that of-so-hard-to-find tee is the way to go. Now, if that is the case then "streetwear" now-a-days is the bastard child of what it once was. Folks "In the game" almost exclusivly cop readily available goods at rediculously inflated prices from stores who catter that ideal, thus going against the original theme/idea. It's not a bad thing it's just what it is. Streetwear is now a trend just like indie music was once underground but now is on pop charts across the globe. It sucks, but it is what it is.

[orisue]

Streetwear? Rock your own steez...

[means]

Wow, that was genious. You apparently didn't get anything I just wrote.

[steppingrazor]

Folks "In the game" almost exclusivly cop readily available goods at rediculously inflated prices from stores who catter that ideal, thus going against the original theme/idea.

sorry this stuff for the most part is not readily available. if it was readily available people would pay higher prices for it because its READILY AVAILABLE. this little scene we are in is probably .001% of all the clothing sales in this country. probably much less...really, it only seems big cuz of the readily available info at your fingertips through the internet.

oh and i don think orisue read your post.

[means]

You're calling a t shirt that has runs of 2000+ and was printed by, say Nike, exclusive and not readily available? To me that's more of a "not alot were printed" kind of t and not very "exclusive" seeing as how Nike has flagship stores worldwide that could most likely get their hands on some....but whatever, you're most likely right.

[steppingrazor]

sorry, no one had mentioned nike. what was mentioned in this thread were brands like mishka kingstampede and whatnot. they only print a couple hundred. and with obviously more than a couple hundred people trying to get them, its pretty limited. and still my point was its still not mainstream.

[deadstock_sole]

in the beginning, it was all about it being independent, and underground, and that kind of shit that you wouldn't know what it was because you've never seen it on anyone before. now there are so many people up on shit, and up on the same exact shit, the companies are making more money (good for them because they work hard, and should be able to support themselves), but the people following it are losing the individuality that the originators so desperately seeked. and there are probably hundreds, if not thousands of people lurking on websites and message boards like this, just so they can be up on what's hot, rather than developing their own personal taste and style. there's a bit of a fad going on right now

what people actually define as streetwear is open for interperatation, any of the big "urban" companies can be defined as streetwear, just as well as any of the little brands can.

co-signed. people that wear fape are in this ^ category of people that just want to follow the hype.

a good example is how Jay Z started wearing AF1s and now you see everyone rockin them including other rappers. Nike never even spent money advertising AF1s. how'd the hypebeasts that follow other people's trends find out about AF1s if Nike never advertised? They copied Jay Z.

[homi]

i wouldnt call the people who try to dress like celebs hypebeasts.
hypebeasts are people who troll msg boards all day , get in line for hours, and spend more than retail online for items.

not that theres anything wrong with that, but i think the term hypebeast came about after the site launched, and thus is more indicative of our own lil subculture

[John]

I always thought Leroy Jenkin's hoodies were a spin off of Will's school blazer..i believe (John Amos played alongside Nia Long) Lisa's dad in one episode his name was Mr.Jenkin's
http://www.adelphiamediaservices.com/images/prog/sml/nick_prince.jpg

[SayWord]

Being an individual =/= What brands you wear.

To many Motherfuckers these days are letting the clothing define them and not the other way around. Just look at BAPE and SUPREME.

Fuck fitting in genre, such as "streetwear". I'm rocking everything from Preppy shit like Patagonia and Brooks Brothers, Punk rock shit like vans slip on's and smedium size punk band shirts, URBANshit(cause thats really what shit like Rocawear to the hundreds is, shit people wear in urban areas), To random shit like BO BO's with the velcro straps or a Members Only jacket with big ass D.M.C glasses circa 1985, and mix that shit all up till it suits how I feel is acceptable. Stop letting the clothes make your ass (All I'm thinking about for some reason is supreme and bape...).

To many dudes out here trying to impress other dudes, and that shit ain't cool. A women likes a confident man that is clean. Shit can be all over the place in a million different colors, but if you can rock it right, the bitches love it. Shit can even be Target or payless.

But that is all just my opinion. I have a proud Penis, so I really don't give a fuck about what ANYONE thinks about me. [/rant]

[SayWord]

Oh yea and unlimitedchirp is right, the internet hype shit on unknown/blog created brands is in full effect.

[Cubbie]

Fuck the STREETS. i think the worst thing going on in "streetwear" is that people put too much emphasis on how "street" they are. like thats even a fucking criteria. bobby put it best - INDEPENDANTLY OWNED AND OPERATED is the best determination. If it doesnt start small its not real because the design is determined by Return On Investment.

how the fuck can you say fuck the streets when you're wearin streetwear?you're just copying and being disrespectful on top of it naw suck my dick dude

it's like i'm in wierdtown or somethin

[Cubbie]

Being an individual =/= What brands you wear.

To many Motherfuckers these days are letting the clothing define them and not the other way around. Just look at BAPE and SUPREME.

Fuck fitting in genre, such as "streetwear". I'm rocking everything from Preppy shit like Patagonia and Brooks Brothers, Punk rock shit like vans slip on's and smedium size punk band shirts, URBANshit(cause thats really what shit like Rocawear to the hundreds is, shit people wear in urban areas), To random shit like BO BO's with the velcro straps or a Members Only jacket with big ass D.M.C glasses circa 1985, and mix that shit all up till it suits how I feel is acceptable. Stop letting the clothes make your ass (All I'm thinking about for some reason is supreme and bape...).

To many dudes out here trying to impress other dudes, and that shit ain't cool. A women likes a confident man that is clean. Shit can be all over the place in a million different colors, but if you can rock it right, the bitches love it. Shit can even be Target or payless.

But that is all just my opinion. I have a proud Penis, so I really don't give a fuck about what ANYONE thinks about me. [/rant]


haha you have a proud penis