Introduction

Street style has always been an important part of fashion culture in the United States. From hip hop to skateboarding, American street style reflects both the diversity of its people and innovations in casual wear. Here is an overview of how US street style clothing has evolved over time.

Origins of Street Style

Street style clothing originated as a way for various subcultures and movements in the US to visually identify themselves. Some key early influences include:

• Hip hop culture in the 1970s and 80s, which embraced oversized silhouettes, sportswear, and athletic shoes.
• Skateboarding culture in the 1970s, defined by Vans sneakers, graphic t-shirts, and boardshorts.
• Punk rock movement in the 1970s and 80s, characterized by ripped jeans, leather jackets, and anti-establishment slogans.

These styles would go on to inspire future streetwear brands and trends.

The Rise of Sportswear

In the 1980s and 90s, sportswear became a major driver of casual fashion. Brands like Nike, Adidas, and Champion tapped into the rise of hip hop, skating, and other urban youth cultures to drive the popularity of sneakers, sweatshirts, and athletic apparel as part of a streetwear aesthetic.

The oversized, comfortable silhouettes were a major departure from the more formal menswear of previous decades. Sportswear offered self-expression, comfort, and a relaxed attitude.

Skateboarding Goes Mainstream

Skate culture continued to grow in the 1990s and 2000s, as skateboarding gained mainstream popularity. Brands that originated in skating, like Vans, Supreme, and Thrasher became part of mainstream youth fashion.

Skater style also influenced high fashion designs, with skate-inspired oversized hoodies, graphic t-shirts, and sneakers walking the runway. The casual, laidback vibe of skate culture became part of modern streetwear identity.

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https://metawaynow.com/new-york-fashion-week-trends/

The Rise of Sneaker Culture

Sneaker culture has exploded over the last two decades, with sneakers becoming both athletic wear and a coveted fashion collectible. Iconic sneaker collabs, hype releases, and sneakerhead culture have made brands like Nike, Jordan, Adidas, and Yeezy extremely popular in street fashion.

Rare, limited edition sneakers can resell for thousands, showing their cultural value beyond just athletic performance. Sneakers are now wardrobe staples and status symbols.

Athleisure Trend

In the 2010s, athleisure wear – trendy athletic clothes worn in casual settings – became one of the most popular casual styles. Brands like Lululemon and Athleta tapped into this trend with yoga pants, sports bras, and other activewear with both performance and fashion appeal.

Athleisure reflects the blending of sporty street style with a fashion-forward aesthetic. It remains a major part of casual fashion today.

Modern Streetwear Brands

Many modern streetwear brands combine elements of these influences into casual luxury. Brands like Supreme, Palace, Kith and BAPE offer coveted graphic hoodies, t-shirts, and accessories inspired by skate, hip hop, and sneaker cultures.

High-end collaborations, such as Louis Vuitton with Supreme, also show the fusion of street sensibilities with luxury fashion. Streetwear today is an expansive, experimental zone that drives much of casual style.

Key Elements of Modern US Street Style

Drawing from these evolving influences, these are some of the defining features of contemporary American street style:

• Sneakers – Whether minimal or bold, sneakers anchor most streetwear looks.
• Athletic wear – Sweatshirts, leggings, sports bras, and activewear silhouettes are common.
• Oversized fits – Baggie hoodies, wide-leg pants, and extended tees provide room for self-expression.
• Graphic prints – From band logos to abstract graphics, printed tees and hoodies are streetwear essentials.
• Distressed denim – Ripped knees, faded washes, and uneven hems add edge to denim.
• Utility details – Pockets, straps, and tactical details reference workwear roots.
• Logos and branding – Iconic logos from brands like Nike or Supreme visually state allegiance.
• Monochrome colors – All-black or all-white looks project a minimalist, modern vibe.

The Future of US Streetwear

US street style clothing continues to evolve through youth culture, music, art, and sports. As new movements emerge, we can expect street fashion to experiment with new silhouettes, fabrics, contexts, and meanings.

But innovation will likely always be grounded in the core streetwear values of self-expression, authenticity, and cultural pride. American street style has come to represent confidence, edge, and progressive fashion sensibilities to the world.

References

• Hess, Amanda. “The Evolution of Street Style.” CR Fashion Book, https://www.crfashionbook.com/fashion/a30383832/history-of-streetwear/. Accessed 26 Oct 2023.
• Sherman, Lauren. “How Street Style Changed the Fashion Industry.” The Business of Fashion, https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/intelligence/how-streetwear-changed-fashion-industry
• Davis, Madison. “A Brief History of American Streetwear.” MatchesFashion, https://www.matchesfashion.com/us/womens/style-tips/a-brief-history-of-american-streetwear
• Raphael, JR. “A Brief History of Streetwear.” Hypebeast, https://hypebeast.com/2021/10/brief-history-of-streetwear-101
• Polanco, Luis. “How Sneaker Culture Took Over Streetwear.” Highsnobiety, https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/sneaker-culture-streetwear/