Streetwear is nowadays a more casual alternative to menswear and its best feature is it encourages personal style. The roots of streetwear can be traced back to the 80s, but right now, it is still a relevant trend. Streetwear is a term which is hard to define, but we can differentiate between streetwear and menswear. As defined by Jian DeLeon “Menswear is driven by trends disguised as genuineness and classicism…it is marketing disguised as reality.” On the other hand, the organic nature of streetwear gives it the opportunity to thrive into a dominant power, much like the control media has over menswear, but not with the obvious restrictions. And here lies the beauty of streetwear, that it is continuously exposed to introspection. And this self-awareness keeps urban street wear clothing far more accessible than the glamour and theatrics of menswear.
From this, it seems that a combination of menswear and streetwear is unrivaled and so, you can consider some blends of the two that hopefully will inspire you to take up your own spin on a characteristic streetwear outfit.
Blend 1
This first synthesis seems to be a quite popular idea among several style savvy men, and it indeed can be sported by men of all ages.
Outfits should be created from the ground up. Therefore it is always recommended to have first a quality pair of shoes, if you wish to look and feel nice. For this outfit, you can pick up from your whole range of shoes; it depends on you to determine how formal or casual you would like the outfit to be – shoes more often dictate your entire look’s attitude.
To dress down, the popular brand with young generation is Nike hi-tops (particularly blazers), offering a bit of extravagance which the liveliness of youth can pull off pretty easily. On the other hand, for a more formal aesthetic, a striking pair of double monk straps or vivid Oxfords is the best.
A classy pair of selvedge jeans or Levi 501s conveys a sophisticated casualness – probably more apt for those who are a little more mature in age. Folding up the hem of the jeans offers a bit of interest to an otherwise regular attire. The same rule applies to chinos, but in a slim fit and a vivid cotton (in streetwear fashions, clashing colors are fair deal, so choose any color you fancy); this is more appropriate for the younger males.
A double breasted jacket reveals your interest in fashion, but it also evokes the classiness found in menswear. But for retaining that playful edginess, pushing up sleeves creates a livelier aesthetic. A patterned t-shirt under the blazer is an essential casual garment, whereas a statement watch or pocket square directs the streetwear aesthetic.
Blend 2
More than skinny jeans and vans which are very much evocative of the West Coast culture of the 80s, Supras are more recommendable as they are just bit different, revealing that you are trying to keep away from trend-driven outfit which Shawn Stussy advocated. Beaten up plimsolls offer an underlying streetwear impact and a more genuine look, and this outfit is lot more traditionally streetwear than the earlier.
Vivid denims have been around for a while by now and there is no need to lessen the hues anyway than vibrant and effervescent. Even a muted mustard yellow does not give off the impression of self-conscious confidence that ties in right with this casual appearance. A muted rolled sleeve t-shirt on top, and a hoody as an additional layer if required, plays on the accent of the trousers and offers the outfit a wild balance.
Accessorizing this with a snap-back cap and a rucksack adds up to an easy casual look, with an individuality of the outfit indeed coming from small things like accessories, hairstyle and, obviously, attitude.
You need not wear traditional streetwear brands to get the looks – a lot depends on your attitude and the tact you use to blend prints, colors and pieces together to form something unique of yourself. A great thing about streetwear is that it can be so original that it lets anybody to stand out with only a single special piece. It is all about how you wear it rather than what you wear.