This is Campus Fashion, your source of inspiration for seasonal trends, cool finds, and wardrobe basics to keep you looking stylish throughout the year.
Streetwear is a style I will never get tired of wearing, and one I can always count on to feel good in. In my mind, streetwear is the ultimate fusion of collective culture and individualism, old to modern, and a masterpiece of storytelling. It’s one of the most creative and limitless forms of fashion. I mean, clothes are limitless in general, but what I love the most about streetwear is the exploration factor and the energy it creates in styling.
When I refer to culture, I primarily mean streetwear’s origin. Its roots are grounded in the late 1970s and early 80s when hip hop culture, primarily spearheaded by Black communities, grew among urban youth. Just imagine breakdancers in a sick dance battle on the streets of New York. Streetwear embodied the freedom of self-expression, and wearing the style was seen as an act of rebellion. It brought about community where even in competition or rivalry, people were connected through style and not just activity. I believe it played a definitive role in how we saw an individual artist too. Artists like The Notorious B.I.G’s influence carved out staples in the streetwear style, like the “Jesus Piece” and Rolex watches, for the global market. Because of that, hip-hop artists created an identity for themselves that distinguished them from other musicians.
Streetwear stands out against other styles because you can mix any texture, pattern, or colour together and you will find a combination that somehow looks sick. Supreme, Stüssy, and Off-White are a few brands that took streetwear by storm, but one person that always comes to mind as a beast in streetwear fashion is Pharrell Williams. In 2002, he teamed up with NIGO and launched his clothing brand Billionaire Boys Club. It propelled streetwear that was colourful and uniquely printed which stood out against minimalist trends. Some of the defining matches of a streetwear look that Williams brought to life were sideways ball caps paired with fuzzy jackets, camo hoodies with baggy jeans and graphic sneakers, and of course, giant chainlink necklaces with custom icons on them. But even just a plain muscle shirt, baggy pants hanging just off the hips, and a bomber jacket or jersey was streetwear at its finest. Look at Jay-Z’s legendary fits for reference.
The early 2000s was an iconic time that shaped a lot of the streetwear style, and it hasn’t died out. Streetwear is still, and I believe it will always be, as relevant as ever, and the evolution of the style has been so cool to see. The oversized look is the everyday fit now, and the patterns and colours get more wild every year. I think of Billie Eilish’s style when I refer to additions of streetwear. She’ll mix vintage with modern, thrift-like clothes with higher fashion twists, and grunge with vibrant colours. That’s what I mean when I say exploration –– anything goes.
I believe a streetwear look that channels visual storytelling is strengthened by the culture and environment a person comes from. The clothes can reflect personal experiences and traditions, providing individualism rather than just fitting into the trends of the generation or market. They can advocate for a certain social, cultural, or environmental issue. For example, the red box logo of Supreme was advertised just by skaters putting stickers all around Manhattan and it established an understanding of the skate culture throughout the city, and eventually globally. The brand chose to focus on supporting the smaller communities of everyday skaters over large, publicized celebrity athletes and because of it, they’ve gained authentic relationships.
Another brand that took a really interesting approach to storytelling was Nike. They used vulnerability to establish their narrative when they released their “Why So Sad?” Dunks. They used colour combinations that communicated emotional states and initiated conversation about mental health, which invited communities and individuals to acknowledge and address these issues.
Of course, I love to wear streetwear because it makes me feel swaggy, but it’s also the kind of style that doesn’t make me feel like I have to be perfect. Like I have to worry about what I look like or who I am. Street style is not categorized by gender, shape, or size. The style is functional, non-conforming, imperfect, and it’s got no boundaries when it comes to personalization or conveying cultural identity. My personal favourite aspects of the streetwear look are the bottoms and accessories. I love jeans that combine multiple different materials or colours, and layering necklaces and bracelets. That’s the kind of style I’ll always invest in.
Veronica is a Staff Writer at The Cascade. She loves to travel and explore new places, no matter how big or small. She is in her second year at UFV, pursuing the study of Creative
Writing.