It seems that everyone– from Vogue, to bloggers, to college students– cannot get enough of streetwear. I cannot blame them. It’s cool. It’s casual. It’s practical. But where did it come from? More importantly, how do you master it?

Streetwear originated from California’s surf and skate culture around the 1980s. It’s casual, comfortable, and was meant to be worn while surfing, dancing, or skating (thus its “worn” look). It was used as an avenue for self-expression by youth who opposed the looks of high end designers.

So how do you accomplish streetwear without looking like you just rolled out of bed?

5 Tricks to Develop Your Streetwear Style

• Layer
  • my go-tos: turtle necks, blazers, over-sized leather jacket, black trench
• Focus on textures and cut
  • my go-tos: herringbone jacket, leather details, ribbed tees
• Have fun with an accessory
  • my go-tos: hat, simple necklace, headscarf
• Ditch the jeans
  • my go-tos: khakis, black joggers
• Grab tennis shoes
  • my go-tos: New Balance shoes, *my destroyed* Tretorn tennis shoes

The best thing about streetwear is this: there are no rules. The whole point of the style is artistic self-expression. Look at your closet. Don’t go shopping just yet. Rather, grab your favorite jacket. Layer it over a tee. Cuff your pants. Roll up your sleeves. Mix and match. Don’t over think it.

Streetwear looks different for everyone. My “streetwear” look much different from–let’s just say–Billie Eilish. But that’s fine. It is the personality, individuality, and creativity of streetwear that makes it so dog-gone cool.

References:

Western Wear Study: Street wear, Don’t Care: New Genre Goes from Fashion Fad to Timeless Trend. (2019). Business of Fashion, NA. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A603647443/BIC?u=vic_liberty&sid=BIC&xid=e057c08e

More interesting reads on streetwear: Vogue Look Book, The Thread Ability,