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No matter what you wear on a daily basis at work or what the majority of your style consists of, there’s always that one outfit that places right in the middle of the streetwear category.
Whether you’re all about designer and luxe or you like your clothes thrifted and vintage, a streetwear outfit will always peak its comfortable little head out as streetwear isn’t just an assembly of clothes, it’s a form of art.
Streetwear clothing is now less about the brand and more about what you wear and how you wear it. The goal is to construct an outfit that oozes comfort and drips cool while being perfect for a stroll around the neighbourhood or taking pics with your mates at your favourite spot in town.
This is something any brand can achieve with a little imagination, so let’s dive straight into exactly what you’ll need to fit the Australia street wear scene.
Clothing
As I said, urban clothing is all about feeling great and looking cool, so any clothing you might be considering must be comfortable and fit you nicely, or they’re out. No matter if you’re shopping in the US or browsing an Australia street wear store you’ll notice that the rules are just about the same, all that changes is the length of what’s worn.
For example, those living in Chicago might need heavy corduroy jackets, long jeans, and boots for the winter months streetwear aesthetic, but many Australians might not face the same issue, so their streetwear outfits would be composed of loosely fitted tees, tight shorts, a pair of sneakers, and a light jacket to put on if it gets a bit chilly outside.
Streetwear clothing supports loose just as much as it does tight, so don’t think you’re limited to only one style, this was just an example. The fact of the matter is that mixing and matching is quite encouraged, so go ahead and make all sorts of interesting combinations to see what works best on your body type and ultimately, your own personal style.
To start off with your urban wear wardrobe you’ll need a quality pair of flats, a bunch of shorts and jeans, some of them ripped, many t-shirts, some jackets, hoodies, and sweaters, and a lot of your favourite accessories. Streetwear is no stranger to the bling, so bring it on!
Dresses are also completely within the acceptable, so go ahead and plan some outfits that are centred around your favourite dresses.
Shoes
A big sorry to the heel-loving ladies, but you’re going to need to leave those at home and switch them for a nice pair of flats when trying to pull this look off. Heels are amazing for more formal looks and even some daytime outfits, but streetwear doesn’t really do well with them, so just leave them behind for now.
In their place, you can get either a pair of nice white sneakers, some cute sandals with a lot of straps, a pair of boots, or even a sturdy couple of outdoor slippers in a fun colour. Freedom of movement and flow of designs and patterns is at the centre of streetwear culture, so having these things on hand will greatly improve both your look and your comfort.
Even though sneakers are preferred, especially if they’re white, you are free to put your own twist to the style and go with any type of flat shoe you have lying around. It doesn’t matter if they’re Vans or Hermes, all that matters is how they fit in with the whole arrangement you have going on.
Nike and Adidas are two brands that seem to be a meeting point for a lot of people that have otherwise completely differing styles, so you might want to start there. Nike often has a more sporty type of shoe, while Adidas stock a bit more elegant designs, so you can take your pick.
Remember, even though you’re trying out streetwear it should still be your own type of streetwear, so don’t abandon your fashion principles just yet!
Accessories
We have the sugar, we’ve added the spice, now it’s time for everything nice!
Urban streetwear accessories are a vast field of creative opportunity, so get ready to let loose and take all the picks in the world. To start off, you’re going to need a good backpack for those really laid back days, so find one you like and fill it up with all those cool things you have lying around.
Tote bags have a special place within the streetwear community, so you can get a couple of those, or repurpose ones you already have. Remember, I’m talking about canvas tote bags, not leather ones. Those should stay at home with the heels, unless they have a really nice design that just works.
Next up we have hats. Bucket hats are a big hit lately, so you really can’t go wrong with one of those, no matter if it has the Chanel logo on it or it’s filled with little tulips all around. It would be nice if the hat is made of a nice, jeans-like material, although anything works, really.
Finally, you’re going to need a bunch of sunnies and some jewellery and you’re practically good to go. Don’t make it rain diamonds though, stay within the simple lines and go with more straightforward pieces. Hoop earrings are one big trend right now, so you can start there and move forward.
Either way, look at this streetwear wardrobe as a fashion exercise and learn to adapt your style to different circumstances. Work with what you have and see how creative and resourceful you can be. It’s gonna be a blast, I promise!
