Influence by School of Art, George Mason University

INFLUENCE Written By: Yusuf Monawer

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION What is Streetwear?

BOTTOMS

Flare Pants

OVERALL STYLES Workwear Carhartt Gorpcore

08 12 16

Cardigans Sweater Vests Camp Shirts Knitted Sweaters

Mesh Shorts

Jordan 1 New Balance 550

20 24 28 32 36

38 40 44

FOOTWEAR Nike SB Dunk

TOPS/JACKETS Varsity Jackets

Double Knee Pants

46 50 54

HATS Fitted Caps Trucker Hats

58 60

INTRODUCTION

Austin, Teresa, Kevin, & Vincent posing together while wearing streetwear

WHAT IS STREETWEAR?

WHAT IS STREETWEAR? The term streetwear is defined by the fashion industry as casual clothing that is also fashionable. The majority of people who wear streetwear are under the age of 30 and live in urban areas. Streetwear is influenced by figures in pop culture such as musicians and celebrities. As times change, streetwear constantly evolves, and new trends begin to start. In high fashion, designers are the ones who usually set the trends. Streetwear democratizes fashion and allows people to use mediums like social media to like, share, and retweet what is cool and what is not. As a result of this, streetwear decides what the trends are; not fashion’s elite. Unlike other areas in fashion, streetwear is gender neutral and size inclusive. In contrast, high fashion is predominantly dominated by white men and women while streetwear has historically been more accepting and inclusive towards People of Color (POC) consumers & designers. Streetwear has always had a connection to pop culture that allows it to act as a representation of the current cultural landscape. Celebrities, influencers, and musicians play a major role in streetwear as they influence what consumers find fashionable. Although driven by pop culture, streetwear is personal. Unlike other areas of fashion, streetwear allows consumers to express their own personal style. There isn’t one way to dress and authenticity is the goal when styling one’s streetwear outfit.

Streetwear began around the 80’s and 90’s and is heavily influenced by early hip hop and skateboarding fashion. With the creation of MTV allowing young consumers to be influenced by their favorite celebrities and musicians, the streetwear trend gained its popularity. Through this, some of streetwear’s most influential brands were created, including: Supreme, Bape, Kith, Palace, and Stüssy. These brands were able to generate hype for themselves by releasing their items in extremely limited quantities. This tactic made the demand for their items high by maintaining scarcity. With the rising increase in popularity, luxury streetwear brands have arrived into the fashion scene. Luxury streetwear brands sell streetwear items at luxury price points. These items are high in quality, which appeals to the streetwear scene, while also being high in price, which appeals to traditional luxury fashion customers. These brands operate as status symbols and incorporate the same scarcity tactics that traditional streetwear brands use. Now that you know what streetwear is, let’s take a look at 2021’s hottest streetwear trends.

OVERALL STYLES

Miggy wearing a full workwear outfit

WORKWEAR

TREND #1

WORKWEAR Workwear can be defined as clothes made with heavy duty materials meant for physical or manual labor. The heavy-duty fabrics used are designed to prevent the clothes from tearing while also keeping the shape and quality of the garment intact. These clothing items were originally designed for laborers such as construction workers or plumbers but have now become a huge part of the fashion scene. Key pieces in workwear include chino pants, the chore coat, heavy duty denim jeans & jackets, and overshirts. Most workwear items use muted “earth tones” with a primary color palette that utilizes black, white, grey, navy, green, and brown. In the early 20th century, brands like Carhartt and Dickies began to make workwear clothing for the working class in America. These garments were then later embraced by different subcultures such as punk, hip-hop, skateboarding, and greasers. This resulted in workwear impacting pop culture and fashion. Fashion designers began reinterpreting and including workwear staples into their seasonal collections beginning in the 1990’s.

In the year 2021, due to the rise of thrift store shopping, workwear is one of fashion’s most popular trends. A reason for this is workwear’s relatively low price point. Unlike other genres of fashion, workwear doesn’t have a high barrier to entry making it easier for customers to get their hands on workwear pieces. With an abundance of workwear pieces already being made, finding these items secondhand is relatively easy. This allows customers to purchase a high-quality garment for a cheaper price. A strength of workwear is the ability to buy clothing secondhand. This practice is an environmentally conscious alternative to purchasing from fast fashion brands such as H&M and Zara. Another strength of streetwear is practicality. Since workwear garments are functional, they can be worn in a number of different spaces and scenarios. For example: the Dickies 874 pant, a workwear staple, can be worn in an office space and also at your local skatepark. The ability of workwear to be worn in different spaces is a true testament to its versatility and a large reason why workwear is trending in 2021.

OVERALL STYLES

Close up of work pants

WORKWEAR

Zoom in on Miggy’s workwear outfit

OVERALL STYLES

Zoom in on Austin wearing a Carhartt vest

CARHARTT

TREND #2

CARHARTT When thinking of workwear brands, one of the first names that comes to mind is Carhartt. Carhartt was founded by American Hamilton Carhartt in 1898. Starting in a small factory with only two sewing machines, Hamilton Carhartt was able to create one of America’s most popular brands. The brand is easily identified by its iconic “C” patch logo featured on all of their clothing. It does not matter whether you are in a small rural town or in a major urban city, there is no place where Carhartt’s presence is not felt. Although it is still one of the most popular workwear brands for men, Carhartt has also become one of the trendiest streetwear brands for Millennials and Generation Z. Carhartt’s introduction into streetwear came in the 1990’s when the brand became popular amongst skaters and hip-hop artists. These two subcultures were able to blend Carhartt’s rugged workwear style with other high fashion brands which helped increase the brands notoriety. Eventually, European designers were given licensing rights to create Carhartt: Work In Progress (WIP). This new sub

brand began creating clothing that blended Carhartt’s durable fabrics and streetwear silhouettes cementing its place in the streetwear world. In the year 2021, vintage Carhartt clothing has become one of the year’s biggest trends. The prefaded cotton canvas of Carhartt’s vintage jackets, pants, and vests are the biggest draw to buyers. When it comes to secondhand Carhartt, the wear and tear varies making each item unique. The preowned items are softer than brand new Carhartt garments as well. The (rising social media) app TikTok has been one the main factors as to why Carhartt is trending as much as it is today. Fashion content creators on the app have been showcasing these vintage items in their videos, thus increasing their popularity amongst Millennials and Generation Z. Although Carhartt was originally made for working men, the shift into streetwear has allowed the clothing to be seen as more gender neutral. Carhartt’s inclusivity and versatility has made it one of 2021’s most popular fashion trends.

Josh styling a Carhartt overcoat

Carhartt

Back pocket of Carhartt’s carpenter pants

OVERALL STYLES

Thomas styling a UNIQLO fleece jacket

GORPCORE

TREND #3

GORPCORE Gorpcore is a relatively new aesthetic in the fashion world with the name being coined in 2017. The style is focused around wearing functional, outdoors–inspired clothing. In other words, Gorpcore blends streetwear with the traditional fashion of hikers and campers. The color palette of Gorpcore clothing tends to be bright and colorful. These colors resemble the lively colors seen in nature such as blue waters, purple sunsets, or verdant forests. The aesthetic of Gorpcore is centered around the idea of layering. Outfits start with a breathable base layer such as a t-shirt or a long sleeve made of lightweight material that can be worn in dry humid conditions. When the weather is cold, this base layer can be worn underneath a fleece mid-layer such as a full-length zip. The fleece mid-layer is the most important component of the Gorpcore aesthetic. When it came into the fashion scene, the fleece is what most high fashion brands decided to replicate. For the final layer, it sits on top of the fleece and usually is a larger jacket that allows the previous two layers to be worn underneath.

underneath comfortably. As an accessory to the three main layers, a bag is also essential to Gorpcore as it matches the style’s hiking aesthetic. In 2021, the Gorpcore trend continues to increase in popularity as some of the most prominent figures in fashion have adopted the style. Popular brands within the sub-genre include Patagonia, The North Face, Arc’teryx, and Solomon. In contrast to workwear, the prices of clothing within the gorpcore genre are much more expensive making the barrier of entry higher. In order to get the full aesthetic, customers must really buy into the genre and purchase all the layers for the style to work. Although the price is high, it is safe to say that consumers are buying in. Although this style is outdoors-inspired, you can also see this aesthetic in highly populated urban cities where there isn’t much nature present. This trend is one of today’s most popular aesthetics and is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Gorpcore is here to stay in fashion.

OVERALL STYLES

Camera attaches to backpack

Zoom in on pocket detail

Close up of Thomas’ utility backpack

GORPCORE

Gorpcore outfit styled with New Balance shoes

TOPS/JACKETS

Vincent styling a VANDY letterman jacket

VARSITY JACKETS

TREND #4

VARSITY JACKETS The first use of the varsity jacket, also known as the letterman jacket, dates back to 1865. Members of the Harvard baseball team wore thick sweaters that featured the letter “H” in the iconic letterman style. This would eventually lead to the creation of the modern letterman jacket in the 1930’s. During this time, there was a demand for sturdier clothing that could keep athletes warm. A jacket with leather sleeves was introduced to do just that. These jackets were earned by athletes when they reached a certain level of performance. Once the letter was earned, they would have it sewn onto their jacket. When professional sports teams caught wind of the varsity jacket trend, they implemented it within their own teams and as a result, they also released Varsity Jackets as merchandise for their fans to purchase. This made varsity jackets accessible to people who didn’t play sports as well. This was the catalyst for its entry into pop culture. In 1983, Michael Jackson wore a Varsity Jacket with letter “M” stitched into it in one of the most iconic music videos of all time, “Thriller.” In the 90’s,

a jacket that once belonged to prestigious Ivy League schools, was adopted by hip hop artists like NWA and Run D.M.C. This led to the style eventually being adopted into streetwear. Soon, different fashion brands began to create their own takes on the varsity jacket. Stüssy, one of the most iconic streetwear brands, began to produce and sell their own varsity jackets which became one of their highest selling products. They were even able to collaborate with other brands such as Nike and Bape to create modern varsity jackets that fit the streetwear aesthetic. Today, the varsity jacket has become trendy once again. The varsity jacket can easily be worn with cargo pants, jeans, and other workwear bottoms. This allows the item to be easily integrated with fashion’s most popular styles. The varsity jacket’s versatility allows it to be layered on top of tank tops, shirts, and sweaters making it a nice alternative to the traditional jacket in colder weather conditions.

TOPS/JACKETS

Close up of stitched varsity jacket lettering

Close up of patch on the back

Kevin styling a vintage varsity jacket

VARSITY JACKETS

Teresa styling her thrifted varsity jacket

TOPS/JACKETS

Vincent styling a colorful, patterned cardigan sweater

CARDIGANS

TREND #5

CARDIGANS The cardigan is a fashion staple that dates all the way back to the 1800’s. The famous knitted sweater features buttons or a zipper along the front and does not feature a collar. Chanel is credited as the first brand to incorporate the cardigan sweater into fashion. In the 1920’s, the cardigan became mainly associated with collegiate wear and gained its popularity. Since then, cardigans have been relevant in every decade leading up until today. In the year 2021, Cardigans have been adopted by streetwear culture. Streetwear designers have been designing cardigans primarily in two different cuts. The first being an oversized, looser fit with a funky pattern. The second cut would be a cropped cardigan with a solid color. The cropped cardigan is similar to a regular cardigan but sits higher on the waist. The boxier fit provides the outfit with an interesting silhouette that catches people’s attention. Vintage cardigans have also become popular with the rise of secondhand clothing. At thrift stores and online retailers, streetwear enthusiasts have been purchasing vintage cardigans as layering pieces for their outfits. Due to its versatility and longevity, the cardigan is one of the most popular trends in the year 2021.

TOPS/JACKETS

Teresa wearing a warm, cozy cardigan sweater

Teresa styling her cardigan with Nike SB Dunks

CARDIGANS

Vincent’s full cardigan outfit styled with workpants and NB 550’s

TOPS/JACKETS

Kevin styling his camp shirt with a white tank top underneath

CAMP SHIRTS

TREND #6

CAMP SHIRTS The camp collar shirt is a hybrid of the Hawaiian collared shirt and the Cubana collared shirt. This style, also known as the Cuban collar shirt, became popular in fashion in the 1950’s. During this time Cubans were leaving their country and arriving at the ports of Miami. Cubans brought their rich culture to the United States, as well as their fashion. The Florida heat allowed the camp shirt to be a perfect alternative to other button up shirts due to the lightweight material used to make it. As a result, this open collared style was adopted by Americans and became a rebellion against the traditional shirt and tie style worn by men at that time. As time passed, the style became an American staple for leisurewear while still remaining classy.

perfect for warm weather. After going out of style for a short period of time, the modern camp shirt is back with every designer creating their own rendition of the trend. What was once seen as tacky has now been readopted by streetwear in 2021. Newer camp shirts are incorporating interesting patterns and designs. The camp shirt can be worn buttoned or unbuttoned, layered over a shirt. Short-sleeve shirts and tank tops can be worn underneath during the summertime while long sleeves and thermal sweaters can be worn when the weather is colder. The camp shirt leans more toward the casual side of fashion but can be used to dress up when the occasion calls for it. The camp shirt is a summer essential and one of the most popular trends of 2021.

The identifying characteristic of what makes a button up shirt a camp shirt is the collar. The collar can be characterized as a soft, double-notched, onepiece collar. These shirts are short-sleeved with a looser fit that allows them to be free flowing during the summertime. The shirts are usually made of a lightweight material like linen or silk, making them

TOPS/JACKETS

Austin wearing a comic book printed camp shirt

CAMP SHIRTS

Back details of Vincent’s camp shirt

TOPS/JACKETS

Yusuf wearing a baby blue sweater vest

SWEATER VESTS

TREND #7

SWEATER VESTS The sweater vest originated in 1882 and was originally created by rowers to be worn during exercise in order to sweat and lose weight. In 1907, members of the Michigan football team cut the sleeves off of their school sweaters and began to wear sweater vests. The sweater vest has had a different aesthetic in almost every decade. In the 1950’s, the sweater vest was worn to be classy and to finish off a look. In the 1970’s, the sweater was made with different funky patterns that were representative of the times. Since its creation, the style has been embraced by a number of different people including presidents, grandpas, golfers, and of course, hipsters. After being out of style for quite some time, the sweater vest has been embraced by streetwear. The item can be styled in three different ways. When the weather is warmer, the vest can be worn with or without a cotton t-shirt underneath. As autumn approaches and the weather becomes cooler, you can swap out the t-shirt for a nice button down. The button down paired with the sweater vest style has become the most popular look of the three. What was once seen as a formal piece of clothing can now be regularly found in clothing stores targeting Millennials and Generation Z.

Zoom in on Yusuf’s sweater vest

SWEATER VESTS

Sweater vest styled with brown corduroy pants

TOPS/JACKETS

Teresa wearing an olive green knitted sweater

KNITTED SWEATERS

TREND #8

KNITTED SWEATERS Knitted sweaters have been a part of fashion since the 13th century. The first knitted sweaters were made by Muslim knitters while working for the Spanish royal families. Evidence of sweaters being made & worn is shown in paintings from that time period. In the 17th century, the knitted sweater became very popular in Ireland. Fishermen needed a garment that was able to keep them warm during their fishing expeditions. As a result, the wives of the fisherman began knitting their husbands sweaters for the cold weather. This knitted sweater was later adopted by Europe as a whole and became a fashion staple across the continent. Since then, the style has seen different evolutions. In the 20th century, the preppy aesthetic of the knitted sweater was created by wealthy Americans attending universities. In the 1980’s, “the ugly Christmas sweater” was created. These sweaters became a huge part of pop culture when actors began to wear them in American sitcoms. This introduction into pop culture was the catalyst for its entry into streetwear. Since its adoption into streetwear, 21st century designers have had their own take on the classic knitted sweater. These

include cropped hems and boxier cuts of the traditional sweater which better fit the aesthetic of streetwear. In the year 2021, designers have given the classic knitted sweater a fresh update. Several of the most influential streetwear brands including Off White, Palace, and Golf Wang dropped their own take on the knitted sweater. These fresh renditions of the sweater include large graphics, all over patterns, a boxier cut, and a neutral or pastel color palette. Following along the lines of these major brands, more streetwear companies are beginning to add graphic and knitted sweaters to their seasonal collections. A major part of the knitted graphic sweater is that it is a great loungewear piece that is easy to layer. Also, the sweater can be worn both casually and to dress up. Due to social media apps like TikTok and celebrity adoption, the trend has become one the hottest in 2021. The knitted sweater is sure to be featured by most streetwear brands in 2021 and stocked at most streetwear retail stores throughout the entire year.

TOPS/JACKETS

Yusuf styling a Golf Wang sweater

KNITTED SWEATERS

Zoom in on the sweaters pattern

TOPS/JACKETS

Austin styling a vintage Jurassic World t-shirt

VINTAGE GRAPHIC TEES

TREND #9

VINTAGE GRAPHIC TEES The t-shirt is one of the most important assets in your wardrobe. During the summertime when it is too hot to wear warmer layers, the t-shirt is often your standout piece. In the fall and winter, the t-shirt stays underneath warmer layers but is still present. When it comes to styling t-shirts, some people may choose to go for a simple, clean aesthetic. This could be because the person wearing the clothing would rather not wear huge graphics and branding on their body. Simple t-shirts make things easy and allow you to achieve a simple, minimalist look. While simple t-shirts are part of streetwear, vintage graphic t-shirts have become a huge trend amongst streetwear enthusiasts in 2021. Unlike plain t-shirts, these vintage graphic t-shirts contain large prints that help give your outfit more flavor. Without being too loud or overpowering, vintage graphic t-shirts can serve as a statement piece for simpler outfits while also being able to be used as a subtle layering piece when styling more complex outfits. The vintage graphic t-shirt has infiltrated the streetwear realm in the year 2021. A

major reason for this trend is the nostalgia these vintage graphic tees bring to consumers. They often feature an older athlete, musician, or celebrity. For example, owning a t-shirt of one’s favorite athlete from when they were a kid allows expression through fashion by showcasing their personal identity. This can also give them the feeling of owning a piece of their own personal history. Graphic t-shirts are often purchased at secondhand clothing retailers. However, finding one that you like at your local thrift store is much harder than finding one from an online reseller. Due to the demand of these graphic T-shirts, resell prices can be extremely high depending on how rare a shirt is. Regardless of the high resell prices, people are still going out and purchasing graphic vintage t-shirts making them one of this year’s most popular trends.

TOPS/JACKETS

Nikki wearing a vintage Playboy t-shirt

Playboy vintage t-shirt back graphic

VINTAGE GRAPHIC TEES

Josh wearing a vintage NFL Super Bowl t-shirt

BOTTOMS

Carhartt double knee pants being styled

DOUBLE KNEE PANTS

TREND #10

DOUBLE KNEE PANTS The double knee work pants fall into the workwear aesthetic of fashion. Regardless of what the name suggests, these pants are universal and can be worn in many different spaces. What makes these pants standout from other workwear pants are additional panels located on the front of the pants. These panels bring something new to the table that stands out from the norm. These pants would feel just as appropriate on a construction worker doing his job as it would on a teenager styling their pants in an outfit for school. Fashion is starting to abandon the skinny pants phase and going for a baggier look. For example, carpenter pants have been embraced by streetwear due to their baggy silhouette.

$40-$50 dollars while higher end versions of the pants can be over $150. Higher end variations of the pants often include colors that go away from the traditional color palette of workwear and even incorporate contrast stitching to give the pants more pop. Even the more clean-cut side of fashion has adopted workwear and double knee pants in order to cater to the streetwear market. GAP Inc. recently released their own version of the double knee pant. The versatility and different options of the double knee pant has made it one of 2021’s most popular trends. Expect to see more brands incorporate the double knee pant in future seasonal collections.

In the world of workwear pants, the double knee work pants are one the most popular trends of 2021. Because these pants are so trendy, many streetwear designers have begun creating their own interpretation of the pants. Newer and traditional options of the double knee have given streetwear enthusiasts plenty of options. Traditional options of the pants range from

BOTTOMS

Yusuf wearing jeans with flared bottoms

FLARE PANTS

TREND #11

FLARE PANTS The first iteration of flare bottom pants came in the 19th century and was adopted by sailors in the Navy. The wide opening at the bottom allowed sailors to easily remove and put on their boots. Also, Sailors could also easily cuff the bottoms of their pants up in order to prevent them being drenched in sea water. For a while, the flared pants style was worn only by the military until counterculture youth discovered the pants during the 1960’s. Young people began shopping at army surplus stores as part of the counterculture movement that rejected the idea of sending American youth to war. The military clothes purchased would often be decorated in peace signs and flowers which went against the traditional uses of these clothing items. Designers started to take notice and began designing flare pants using a variety of different fabrics including denim. As a result, flare pants were a huge part of the disco movement. Many of the most iconic figures of the time were wearing pants with wide openings at the bottom. The original flare pants were often high waisted and tight around the crotch area.

In the 90’s, variations of the pants, including bootcut denim jeans, gave different wide-legged alternatives. In 2021, there has been a resurgence of the flared pant. Streetwear’s version of the flared pant features a slimmer fit around the knee with a wider hem toward the bottom. In addition to jeans and dress pants, the flare aesthetic is also starting to be mixed together with workwear pants resulting in new age flare pants. In this new age, designers are beginning to produce carpenter and cargo pants that feature flared out bottoms. The wide hem of the pants allows them to drop over top of the sneaker and provides a nice change of pace from more traditional sitting pants. These pants provide a subtle, yet effective change that can help bring a new silhouette to your outfit. Style is always changing and the flare pants trend provides streetwear enthusiasts the chance to mix it up in 2021.

BOTTOMS

Zoom in on flared bottoms

FLARE PANTS

Yusuf styling Wrangler rancher pants, a popular flared bottom

BOTTOMS

Close up of mesh shorts being styled

MESH SHORTS

TREND #12

MESH SHORTS Mesh Shorts have been around for quite some time. You may even remember being forced to change into them for gym class. These shorts were worn by basketball players in the 1980’s until the NBA adopted a different material for shorts. Despite this change, mesh shorts have been able to withstand the test of time and continue to be relevant in 2021. With younger basketball players heavily influencing fashion today, mesh shorts have made a comeback in the year 2021. People are digging up their old gym shorts in order to style them in an outfit. Mesh shorts are the perfect balance between streetwear and sportswear. When paired with either a graphic or simple t-shirt, the mesh shorts can become an elevated bottom that is essential to your outfit. They are easy to print on, allowing for customization by brands to create their own versions of the mesh short.

comfortable and easy to wear. Comfort has been a large trend in streetwear as of late which has allowed the mesh short to reenter the streetwear realm. Along with your traditional mesh shorts, streetwear designers have begun to release mesh shorts in a number of different patterns and styles. These higher end mesh shorts are not only comfortable, but they are also fashionable allowing the shorts to be a statement piece within your outfit.

Mesh shorts usually sit above the knee and are oftentimes styled with an oversized t-shirt or a baggy hoodie. Not only are these shorts stylish, they are

FOOTWEAR

Air Jordan 1’s in the “Mocha” colorway

THE JORDAN 1

TREND #13

THE JORDAN 1 Since the Jordan 1 sneaker was introduced in 1985, it has been one of the most relevant shoes in streetwear. Each of the original colorways of the shoe has a story attached to it which makes owning a pair feel like having a piece of history. For example, when the black and red colorway was banned by the NBA’s commissioner, Nike was able to use this as a marketing ploy that generated a lot of hype behind the shoe. Many signature Michael Jordan sneakers followed but many streetwear and sneaker enthusiasts have the Jordan 1 as their all-time favorite Jordan sneaker. The Jordan 1 sneaker quickly made its way beyond the court and into streetwear. In the 80’s and 90’s, the shoe was adopted by the underground skate scene due to the shoe’s price point being cheaper than skate shoes at the time. Skate culture has been one of, if not the most, influential subcultures in streetwear. Skaters styling the shoes with baggy jeans showcased the shoes being worn outside of a basketball setting. This helped the Jordan 1 be seen as more than just a performance basketball shoe.

The most popular colorways of the shoe are extremely difficult to purchase in 2021. Jordan brand only releases a limited quantity, causing scarcity and driving the demand for the shoe to go up. After the 2020 release of ‘The Last Dance’ documentary, the demand for Jordan shoes skyrocketed causing the Jordan 1 to be one of the biggest sneaker trends of 2021. People who previously did not care about sneakers, are now wanting to buy Jordan shoes after watching the documentary. Since the documentary, Nike has rereleased some of the most iconic colorways of the shoe while also pumping out a bunch of new colorways. Outside of basketball, the Jordan brand has done Jordan 1 collaborations in the past year with the likes of Travis Scott, one of today’s biggest rappers, and Dior, one of high fashion’s most notorious brands. Streetwear brands have also begun to reimagine the sneaker by taking existing Jordan 1 colorways and replacing the Nike logo with their own logo. Although this new trend of reimagined Jordan 1’s is somewhat controversial, it has only added to the popularity of the shoe.

FOOTWEAR

“Banned” Jordan 1 being styled on feet

Closer look of the “Banned” Jordan 1

Kevin styling the “Banned” Air Jordan 1

THE JORDAN 1

Nikki styling the Jordan 1 with light washed denim

FOOTWEAR

OFF WHITE X Nike SB Dunk collab

NIKE SB DUNKS

TREND #14

NIKE SB DUNKS This shoe was originally released in 1985 alongside the Jordan 1 as a basketball shoe. In the 90’s, the dunk was discontinued due to its lack of popularity in the basketball scene. During this time, the shoe remained a cult favorite for skaters so much so that Nike brought back the sneaker in 2002. This time, the marketing behind the shoe was not targeting basketball players but instead it was geared more towards skaters. The shoe was brought back with newer technology, limited quantities to generate hype, and famous collaborators all in an effort to increase the shoe’s popularity in streetwear. The shoe appealed to sneakerheads as well as skaters and pairs of the Nike SB Dunk began selling out quickly. What was once an underground favorite, entered the mainstream. For a short period of time, the Nike SB Dunk started to go out of style. The shoes began to start sitting on the shelves and releases began to slow down. However, in 2021, Nike began to focus back on the Dunk with the increased popularity of skateboarding across the world. That can bepartly attributed to skateboarding’s

introduction to the Olympics in 2021. They began releasing new, modern colorways that resonated with streetwear enthusiasts and as a result, the dunks are officially back. There are two models of the Nike SB Dunk: the low and the high. Of the two, the low is much more popular. Nike has begun capitalizing on the Nike SB trend by working with established collaborators and pumping out a wide variety of different colorways. There is almost a Nike SB release every week in 2021 and all of them are selling out. The shoes are released in limited quantities and with the demand of the shoe high already, people are wanting to get their hands on a pair now more than ever. The shoe can easily be worn with baggier pants or flare pants, as well as shorts making it extremely versatile. With skateboarding continuing to grow and popular skaters continuing to wear the Nike SB Dunk, this trend is here to stay.

Nike SB Dunks in the “Syracuse” colorway on feet

NIKE SB DUNKS

Close up details of the Off White X Nike SB Dunk collaboration

FOOTWEAR

New Balance 550’s styled with patchwork denim

NEW BALANCE 550

TREND #15

NEW BALANCE 550 New Balance has brought back their popular basketball shoe from the 80’s, the New Balance 550. This revival of the once basketball sneaker has taken the streetwear world by storm. Part of the reason for this is the brand’s collaboration with popular streetwear boutique, Aime Leon Dore. Along with the shoes, New Balance also dropped satin bomber jackets and fitted baseball caps to go along with the shoe. The limited quantities of the shoe on release day has allowed the shoe to gain hype within the streetwear world. Most people who have obtained the shoe have had to do so through reselling vendors such as StockX and GOAT at a higher price than retail. Basketball sneakers have become a theme in streetwear. Streetwear enthusiasts are now appreciating the bulkier retro basketball silhouettes that use color palettes that contain primary colors. The New Balance 550 hits on all of those themes which is why they are so popular today. The shoes have character and can add a lively element to even the simplest of outfits. They work well with baggier workwear pants, another trend in 2021, making it one of the most sought-after sneakers of the year.

FOOTWEAR

New Balance 550’s coming together

NEW BALANCE 550

Both the red and green colorways of the New Balance 550’s being styled

HATS

Teresa and Vincent wearing New York Yankees fitted caps

FITTED CAPS

TREND #16

FITTED CAPS The classic New York Yankees fitted hat is one of the most easily recognizable pieces in all of streetwear. Withstanding the test of time, the Yankees fitted cap has remained culturally relevant with no signs of leaving anytime soon. The fitted cap in general was made popular by baseball players. The fitted cap made its introduction to the fashion world when teams began releasing fitted caps as merchandise for fans to purchase. Soon, hip hop artists began wearing fitted caps to represent the cities they were from. Hip hop artists have always been fashion icons in the world of streetwear and their influence made the fitted hat as popular as it is today.

fashion in the forefront of design. These trendy fitted caps often feature a patch on the side that adds detail and craftsmanship to the hat. Fitted caps in the past were worn with a flat brim however, in 2021, buyers of fitted caps are manually curving their brims. The hats are relatively affordable at $50 dollars making it easily attainable for streetwear enthusiasts.

During the year 2021, New Era fitted caps have seen a resurgence and continue to increase in popularity. Consumers are not purchasing hats in order to represent their favorite sports teams but instead, they are buying fitted hats to elevate their fashion. Designers are releasing hats that feature the logos of professional sports teams but not in their traditional colorways. Designers are choosing color palettes that keep

HATS

Josh and Nikki wearing VANDY trucker hats

TRUCKER HATS

TREND #17

TRUCKER HATS The trucker hat was first seen in its current form during the 1970’s when there was a ton of promotional giveaways from US farming supply companies to farmers and truck drivers. After companies realized that the hat was great for advertisements and were cheap to produce, they started releasing trucker hats as promotional items. The wide front panel of the hat is the defining characteristic of the trucker hat. In 2021, there has been a resurgance of 2000’s fashion. The trucker hat was part of streetwear’s “Sleazecore” aesthetic during this time. In 2021, these trucker hats are back as an alternative to the dad cap, a fading 2016 fashion trend. Streetwear is bringing back the y2k (2000’s) aesthetic and blending it with today’s more modern streetwear trends. Trucker hats are being worn by today’s most popular influencers. Streetwear brands, and even high fashion brands, are releasing trucker hats that feature their name or logo mark. Due to its simplicity and effectiveness, the trucker hat is a nice accessory to add to any outfit and is one of today’s most popular streetwear trends.

HATS

Yusuf styling a trucker hat

Four Atelier trucker hat being styled

TRUCKER HATS

VANDY trucker hat being styled

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INFLUENCE The term streetwear is defined by the fashion industry as casual clothing that is also fashionable. Subcultural fashion trends have become a global industry that has taken the fashion world by storm. As the times change, streetwear constantly evolves, and new trends begin to start. Influence discusses the hottest streetwear trends of 2021. Each trend discussed is supported with pictures showing the trend being styled.