Mollie Mathwig

Juniors Owen Savell and Josh Ims rep their streetwear style.

Streetwear’s evolution has become a dominant force in global fashion and can be seen at BSM. Rising to popularity in the 90s and early 2000s, streetwear consists of baggy jeans, graphic tees, and oversized hoodies. Brands like Stüssy, Supreme, and The Hundreds emerged during the 90s blending elements of skate, surf, punk, and hip-hop cultures into this genre of fashion. Today streetwear has become a phenomenon, incorporating these subcultures to become a major influence in the fashion world.

The definition of streetwear ranges from person to person. Some may describe it as “urban and casual,” while others may say it’s “edgy and individualistic.” No matter how people describe streetwear, streetwear ultimately is about self-expression and individuality. “Honestly, I think streetwear is just a creative way to express yourself. I would describe it as a lot of baggy jeans, hoodies, graphic tees, and [Adidas] sambas,” junior Greta Steinke said.

Depop, an online fashion marketplace, serves as a popular app for buying and selling streetwear items, including limited-edition releases and vintage pieces. Thrift stores also offer shoppers secondhand clothing options that are unique and affordable. Much like thrift stores, Depop has become a popular resource that includes all the same features as thrift stores, but gives you more variety, making the streetwear style more “achievable.” “I don’t have a specific store I like to shop at, but platforms like Depop and certain thrift stores are where I find e best clothes,” junior Owen Savell said.

Streetwear has had a major influence in the social media world and ranges from people sharing their outfits, and recommending where to shop, to ideas on sustainable fashion. Pinterest has become a popular outlet for users to gain inspiration for streetwear. Pinterest users create boards around specific themes like “Streetwear Style” or “Urban Fashion.” Within these boards are images that demonstrate different streetwear looks, allowing others to draw inspiration. “I love Pinterest because I get a lot of outfit inspiration, and I know the best places to shop. Pinterest also includes links for me, so it’s easy to find the items I like,” junior Greta Steinke said.

Streetwear has been progressing since the 1980s and has reshaped the definition of streetwear. Streetwear is unique in the way that it has been around for over 40 years and never seems to go “out of style,” while most genres have withered away with time. Big, bold logos plastered on clothing once dominated the fashion industry, but now there’s a shift toward minimalism and subtle branding. Streetwear holds on to that nostalgic feel and often pulls inspiration from past decades. With this, individuals revamp these past styles and make them feel renewed. Streetwear has this type of adaptability to time and continues to be a melting pot of particular subcultures within a society, including students here at BSM.