Streetwear has become one of the most influential style movements in recent decades. While street style was once relegated to skate, surf, and hip hop culture, it has now become a mainstream fashion aesthetic. Streetwear is known for its casual, comfortable styling as well as its nods to underground movements and urban city culture. For men looking to incorporate more street style into their wardrobes, there are many excellent streetwear brands to choose from. Here is an overview of some of the top streetwear brands for men in 2023.
What is Streetwear?
Streetwear refers to casual, comfortable clothing styles that have their origins in West Coast surf and skate culture as well as East Coast hip hop fashion. Hallmarks of classic streetwear include graphic t-shirts, hoodies, bomber jackets, baseball caps, jeans, sneakers, and more. Streetwear emerged from youth cultures centered around sports like skateboarding and music genres like hip hop.
Over time, streetwear has evolved from niche counter-culture style to having major influence in mainstream fashion. While streetwear has its roots in athletic wear, the aesthetic is now about much more than just comfortable, casual clothes. Streetwear mixes influences from high fashion, sportswear, workwear, and more to create unique hybrid looks. Major high fashion houses like Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Balenciaga have also embraced streetwear in recent collections.
Today streetwear is defined less by any specific garments and more by an attitude of urban, youthful authenticity. Key qualities of modern street style include casualness, exclusivity, innovation, underground status, and high-end luxury branding.
Top Streetwear Brands For Men
Supreme
One of the most well-known streetwear brands, Supreme was established in New York City in 1994. The label's signature is their box logo t-shirts, hoodies and caps branded with a red and white logo. Supreme collaborates with major brands and artists to release limited edition collections that drive hype. They helped pioneer drops and pop up shops.
Stussy
With origins in 1980s California surf and skate culture, Stussy is one of the OG streetwear brands. They are known for graphic t-shirts, hoodies, and casual shorts as well as collaborations with other street artists and brands. Their iconic handstyle logo is instantly recognizable.
BAPE
A Bathing Ape (or BAPE) is a major Japanese streetwear label launched in 1993 by Nigo. BAPE is known for its bold camo prints and iconic shark hoodies, among other creative street style designs.
Palace
This British skateboard label has made a name for itself with its irreverent take on streetwear. Palace's humor shines through in cheeky ad campaigns and collaborations with brands like Umbro. The Tri-Ferg logo is featured on many of their pieces.
Kith
Kith is the brainchild of Ronnie Fieg, legendary streetwear collaborator and designer. With two flagship stores in NYC, Kith bridges streetwear and high end fashion with premium basics, footwear and collaborations.
Off-White
Founded by Virgil Abloh, Off-White brings a conceptual art-inspired spin to street fashion. Known for incorporating quotation marks, zip ties and the diagonal stripe logo, Off-White collaborates with major brands like Nike, Levi's and Moncler.
Aimé Leon Dore
With a focus on quality construction and fabric, Aimé Leon Dore offers a modern, elevated take on streetwear. Subtle branding and preppy, vintage-inspired vibes define this NYC label.
Noah
Founded by former Supreme Creative Director Brendon Babenzien, Noah embodies a mature, refined streetwear aesthetic. Great graphic tees, attention to detail and collaborations with brands like New Balance are signatures of Noah.
Carhartt WIP
Workwear meets streetwear in this offshoot from heritage label Carhartt. Carhartt WIP adapts classic styles like chore coats and painter pants in streetwear fits and modern colorways. The patched logo appears across tees, sweats, outerwear and more.
Elements of Streetwear Style
Beyond brands, there are some key elements that comprise the streetwear look:
Graphic Tees
Graphic tees are a streetwear essential, often featuring logos, iconic album art, or cheeky slogans. From simple printed tees to premium collaborations, the graphic tee gives streetwear its casual, youthful vibe.
Oversized Fits
Baggier, oversized silhouettes contrast with the slim fits that dominate much of men's fashion. Oversized hoodies, shirt jackets, and t-shirts are streetwear staples.
Sneakers
Slick high-top or low-top sneakers complete most streetwear outfits. Brands like Nike, Adidas, Vans are go-tos. Limited edition collabs, retro silhouettes, and chunky dad shoes are also popular.
Baseball Caps
Baseball caps continue to be key streetwear accessories. Sports teams, graphic prints, and logo caps are all common.
Bomber & Biker Jackets
Leather, nylon, or sherpa bomber jackets and biker jackets deliver rugged edge to streetwear looks. These jackets are modernized in fresh colors, fabrics patterns.
Joggers
Joggers balance the comfort and ease of sweatpants with the structure of trousers. They lean sporty and casual.
Shorts & Sweats
Board shorts, basketball shorts, and sweatpants or sweatshorts also have a place in the streetwear wardrobe. Paired with hoodies, graphic tees and sneakers, these casual bottoms exude a sporty, urban attitude.
Backpacks
Functional backpacks replace briefcases and satchels in streetwear. Brands like Herschel and Supreme offer stylish backpacks.
How to Wear Streetwear
As streetwear has entered the mainstream, the way it's styled and worn has evolved. Streetwear is now as appropriate for the office or dinner as it is for the streets. These tips will help guide you in wearing streetwear in 2023:
- Pair slim or skinny jeans with oversized tops like graphic tees, hoodies, or shirt jackets. This creates balance.
- Elevate classic sneakers and tees by layering with modern outerwear like bomber jackets, overcoats or textured blazers
- Joggers and chinos adapt streetwear for a smarter, going-out look
- Accessorize with beanies, caps, or backpacks rather than traditional accessories
- Contrast proportions: team an elongated hoodie with cropped pants or shorts.
- Use color to make a statement: vivid neon hues and color blocking make any outfit streetwear-forward.
5 Streetwear Styling Tips
- Mix high fashion with streetwear. Pair joggers and a hoodie with luxe materials and an elevated sneaker.
- Go monochrome. Stick to one bold color like red, yellow, or green from head to toe for an eye-catching look.
- Layer up. Streetwear pieces like graphic tees, hoodies, and outerwear are designed for layering.
- Accessorize wisely. Beanies, baseball caps, and over-ear headphones become fashion statements.
- Customize your jacket with patches, pins, or embroidery for a unique DIY aesthetic.
5 FAQs
What are the most popular streetwear brands?
Supreme, Stussy, BAPE, Palace, Kith, Off-White, Aimé Leon Dore, Noah, and Carhartt WIP are some of the leading modern streetwear brands for men.
What stores sell streetwear?
Online retailers like Mr Porter and END. carry a wide selection of streetwear brands. Brick and mortar stores to check out include Kith, Bodega, Slam City Skates, Dover Street Market, and A Ma Maniere.
How much does streetwear cost?
There is a lot of range when it comes to streetwear pricing. At the lower end, graphic t-shirts can be $30-60. Big name designer collabs can run into the hundreds or thousands. Expect to pay $80-150 for hoodies from core streetwear labels.
What are good streetwear outfit ideas?
Some go-to streetwear looks include joggers with a graphic tee and bomber jacket; oversized hoodie with cropped jeans and high-tops; or a logo tee with black denim and white sneakers. Get creative mixing proportions and colors.
Can you wear streetwear to the office?
Today's streetwear features plenty of options you can wear to the office like khaki joggers, clean high-top sneakers, logo polos, and hoodies or shirt jackets in refined fabrics like merino wool or textured cotton. Just style it in a smart, tailored way.
Conclusion
Streetwear has cemented itself as a major force in men's fashion both on and off the streets. Brands like Supreme, BAPE, Palace, and Kith offer covetable, exclusive clothing vibing with urban youth culture. Yet the influence of streetwear can now be felt across the entire menswear landscape. By balancing streetwear pieces with smart basics, men can cultivate looks that are simultaneously edgy and elevated. So don't be afraid to embrace graphic tees, oversized-silhouettes, sneakers, and workwear staples to bring visual interest and avant-garde attitude to everyday outfits.
