Word On The Street: Investigating The Streetwear Aesthetic

streetwear aesthetic hoodie sweater
Photo: sama_ja / Shutterstock

It’s safe to say that a lot has changed over the years when it comes to fashion trends. In the past, fashion trends have often favored looks over comfort. But now, fashion lovers can enjoy both style and comfort in perfect harmony. With the rise of the streetwear aesthetic, style-conscious consumers have begun to demand a blend of comfort and style to look both on-trend and feel relaxed at the same time.

Streetwear is genuinely the perfect union between comfort and style, which is one of the many reasons why this new trend of comfy chic has taken the world by storm. And with more and more retailers introducing streetwear into their selections, it’s now easier than ever to upgrade your wardrobe to contain some effortlessly chic street fashion designs. 

In fact, you can shop for streetwear right from the comfort of your own home by buying with retailers like Rebel Sport through Qantas Shopping. This will allow you to shop all the latest streetwear trends while earning Qantas Points at the same time. 

With many other major brands jumping on the streetwear trend, it’s time for us to do a deep dive into this modern look and learn all there is to know. So without further ado, here is our in-depth investigation into the world of street fashion.

model red sweatshirt streetwear sneakers
Photo: Shutterstock

What is Streetwear?

Streetwear became wildly popular in the 1990s thanks to fashion icons out of New York City and Los Angeles, including rappers like Jay-Z and Sean Combs. Borrowing from styles like hip-hop, punk, skater fashion, and even activewear or sportswear, streetwear has truly carved its own place amongst the most popular fashion trends of today. 

Because of its overt versatility and effortless style points, streetwear has ballooned in popularity, becoming one of the world’s most universally adopted fashion trends. And to top it all off, it doesn’t look like streetwear is going anywhere anytime soon. Celebrities, artists, influencers, and other changemakers have all jumped on board the trend, which has undoubtedly helped it on its path to mass appeal.

gucci sneakers street style
Photo: andersphoto / Shutterstock

What Does the Streetwear Aesthetic Look Like?

Now that we know exactly what streetwear is and where it came from, it’s time to engage with what modern streetwear can look like. Streetwear aesthetics has its foundations in two key criteria: a casual look and a comfortable fit. As a result, the staples of this fashion trend include sneakers, jeans, t-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, and other casual clothing items. 

This isn’t to say that designer labels can’t jump on the streetwear trend. In fact, a lot of them already have. In the present day, some of the biggest names in high fashion, like Balenciaga, Dolce & Gabbana, and even Gucci, have been dabbling in their own streetwear apparel, producing immaculately designed and produced hoodies, pullovers, and even tracksuit pants that are perfect for adding a touch of luxe to your lazy weekend look.

And suppose you’re not a fan of these big-name brands. In that case, you’ll be happy to hear that there is still an abundance of dedicated streetwear brands to choose from, including Stussy, Off-White, Supreme, and many other names that you may already be seeing on oversized jumpers and hoodies every time you leave the house.

But any perceptions of streetwear’s global face would be incomplete without panning the camera down to look at some shoes! Footwear is a massive element of any stylish street look, which is why the sneaker market has been booming as of late. If you’re a true sneakerhead who knows what iconic styles and makes to look for, you could find yourself landing a pair of shoes that are easily worth thousands of dollars on their own.

cropped top adidas track pants purple
Photo: AGCreativeLab / Deposit Photos

What Made Streetwear So Popular?

There are many ingredients that make any fashion trend popular. Streetwear has relied on one in particular; the fear of missing out. Scarcity is arguably the most crucial factor as to why streetwear has become such a rapidly popular and universally loved fashion trend. 

Brands have facilitated this scarcity by creating limited editions and single-season designs, some of which have a knack for selling out almost as fast as they hit the shelves. This scarcity creates consumers who would do almost anything to say or show that they’ve been able to secure themselves a pair or two (or ten!) of these limited-range items. 

In addition to scarcity as a marketing tool, celebrities have also entered the world of streetwear as designers, propelling this eclectic fashion trend to even greater heights. Sports stars and recording artists like Rihanna are amongst many other types of celebrities to leave their mark on the world of streetwear. The emergence of renowned and distinguished designers has fueled the formation of global appeal that could legitimately be seen as a cultural movement.

lfw street style hoodies women casual
Photo Credit: Delsignore / Deposit Photos

Where Do You Get Your Own Streetwear?

There are international brands and bespoke retailers located in all corners of the globe that now specialize almost exclusively in selling streetwear. Even major brands and big retailers are helping consumers secure the best chance of getting their hands on some super scarce street fashion pieces.

And if the shelves aren’t stocked across all your favorite streetwear labels and streetwear retailers, then why not head online to scoop up some secondhand deals? There’s a major market for selling limited edition sneakers amongst other streetwear attire, so you’ll be sure to find all your favorite pieces through independent sellers at all times throughout the year. 

Make sure you’re prompt no matter where you choose to get your streetwear and apparel. There’s really no time for second-guessing your purchasing decisions when it comes to building up your own streetwear aesthetic wardrobe. 

If you’d like to make sure that you’re the first to hear about any new releases, the best thing you can do for yourself is sign up for mailing lists and become a welcome and familiar face at all your local streetwear retailers. 

And for full disclosure, you may need to be prepared to camp out in front of a store at some point, especially if you want the latest and greatest pieces in streetwear fashion.

Conclusion

As you can see, the streetwear aesthetic has enjoyed a massive boost in popularity over the last two decades and shows no signs of slowing down. This fashion trend has celebrities, influencers, and major design houses creating unique pieces to be enjoyed by a diverse range of consumers. The limited production of these designs has caused a frenzy amongst consumers and driven demand to an unprecedented level.

If you’re looking to jump on the streetwear bandwagon yourself and embrace all the liberties that come with comfy chic fashion, our guide has provided you with enough direction to begin your own foray into the world of streetwear. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start adding some modern streetwear to your wardrobe today. 


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