Style guide: Everything about streetwear and fashion

Do you know what streetwear is? How did this fashion trend originate? What clothes and accessories are part of the streetwear style? How should you dress in it? Where can you buy this type of clothing?

We've prepared a streetwear style guide, with everything you need to know about this trend that's gaining more and more followers in Brazil. If you already like this fashion, you'll love this guide; if you're not yet familiar with this style, this is a great opportunity to learn more about streetwear, a fashion full of attitude and personality.

Explore what PRISON® streetwear t-shirts are like.

Oversized fit, ribbed collar, premium cotton, and a conceptual presence. Check out the streetwear-defining styles with the PRISON® signature.

What is streetwear?

Streetwear is a casual clothing style that gained worldwide popularity starting in the 1990s. It emerged inspired by New York hip hop fashion and California surf culture. Streetwear aims to incorporate elements of sportswear, hip hop, skateboarding, and street fashion into one's overall style of dress.

Fashion also plays a social, cultural, and political role. And, with streetwear, we can see behavioral manifestations that transcend regional boundaries and extend throughout the world. Streetwear represents the urban and cultural essence of each community or tribe, through clothing and accessories. Far beyond just street clothes, streetwear is linked to people's behavior, mentality, and lifestyle.

Streetwear reflects the behavior of a particular region through fashion and style , which may be associated with music or urban sports, for example. Even living in a globalized world, the streetwear scene has the particularities of each location; therefore, streetwear in Brazil will have different elements from American or Chinese streetwear, for example, despite many factors in common between them.

Where did streetwear originate?

Most theories suggest that streetwear originated from the New York hip hop culture of the late 1970s and early 1980s, incorporating elements of surf culture. During the 1980s, the culture underwent significant changes, with pop, rock, and hip hop styles beginning to dominate the streets. Handmade clothing and items with new styles emerged in full force. Cultural influences from various parts of the world contributed to the rise of streetwear. The United States, Japan, and several European countries experienced cultural transformations that influenced how people dressed and gave rise to what we now call streetwear.

The origin of streetwear is also often credited to California, surfing, and skateboarding. This is because, even before it was called streetwear, Shawn Stussy, a designer who manufactured surfboards, decided to sell some t-shirts with his logo, which was his surname, along with the boards. Like him, other practitioners of the sport began producing looser, easier-to-wear garments, made to withstand skateboarding on the streets and in skate parks during periods when the waves weren't good for surfing.

Besides skateboarding and surfing, punk, heavy metal, and hip hop began to gain ground. In the 90s, when streetwear met hip hop, things took on a whole new dimension. At that time, hip hop culture was prominent, and many of the things the artists wore became popular with the public almost instantly. Hip hop added its political stance to streetwear, along with baggy sweatshirts, sneakers, jewelry, and the recreation of luxury items for the ghetto audience. Sports brands also noticed the emerging phenomenon and invested in this new scenario.

What clothes and accessories are part of the streetwear style? Where can I buy them?

Today, streetwear style includes t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, shorts, pants, sneakers, backpacks, caps, etc. In short, all kinds of clothing and accessories are part of this trend. Those looking for streetwear should start their search in stores focused on sports, which sell clothing and sporting goods. There are some stores, like Prison, that have invested in this segment and offer customers, among other items, exclusive t-shirts and other accessories, such as caps, that will appeal to those who enjoy streetwear style.

There are various clothing options, with different styles, for both men and women. The streetwear sold by the store is of excellent quality and offers a wide variety of pieces and prints, referencing various sports teams to suit all styles. Furthermore, Prison delivers throughout Brazil.

What are the key pieces that stand out most in streetwear looks?

Sweatshirts – Sweatpants are currently trending, especially because of their comfort. They also go with practically any type of t-shirt and look great with sneakers. Most sweatpants come in neutral colors and feature a brand logo. Similarly, sweatshirts are also good options for creating a light and ideal look for cold days. They can even be combined with sweatpants, creating a balanced and stylish look.

T-shirts – Streetwear t-shirts are a world of their own, with styles ranging from simple t-shirts with just a trendy brand logo to those covered in bold prints and graphic symbols. Monochromatic t-shirts highlight the brand and can feature warmer colors to enhance the look, such as yellow, orange, or red. On the other hand, prints are also welcome. Many collections are inspired by cartoons, characters, and other trends. As for patterns, oversized models are currently the favorites.

Sneakers – Sneakers are one of the main symbols of streetwear. Besides being comfortable, many are prized for their design, colors, and originality. From Vans sneakers to more sporty versions, there are many types for men and women to wear with various outfits.

Jackets and coats - Jackets and coats are pieces that take on extravagant looks, with strong colors, logo applications, and pop-influenced designs. The material can be synthetic or use some feature to make it more original, such as disconnected seams, transparencies, asymmetrical pockets, and anything else that can give the piece a unique look. Jackets and coats are also used for layering looks. It's common in streetwear to wear jackets and coats over t-shirts and sweatshirts. Besides denim, pieces in synthetic materials stand out, with many colors and asymmetrical pockets.

Pants – Jeans are also a staple in streetwear. However, fans prefer cool, ripped models with washes in extravagant colors. As already mentioned, sweatpants are also relevant in this style, as are harem pants and camouflage models. See more streetwear pants .

Accessories – Accessories help to enhance both women's and men's looks. Sunglasses are a good option, as are caps, bracelets, and the popular crossbody fanny packs that have become trendy again.

Streetwear style: baseball t-shirts are a must-have.

Some pieces are key when we talk about streetwear and can't be missing from the wardrobe of anyone who identifies with the style. This is the case with baseball t-shirts, which are taking over the streets and are a chapter apart when we talk about streetwear.

Baseball shirts are a great option for those who want to combine style, comfort, practicality, and acquire a quality product. Anyone who likes streetwear fashion, enjoys shopping for clothes, and wants to express their personality through their clothing will want a baseball shirt in their wardrobe. The garment has style, personality, and is a current trend.

The shirts, inspired by baseball team uniforms and street style, have custom labels, and some even feature sweatbands to prevent sweat stains on the collar. Stores like Prison constantly strive to improve the quality, resistance, and durability of these products. Therefore, at Prison, you can find baseball shirts with excellent quality and vortex spinning technology, which guarantees the shirts' durability, completely eliminating those unwanted pilling and providing a soft, smooth feel, resulting in a more pleasant contact with the skin and a great fit.

Furthermore, the vortex technique used in Prison's fabrics provides better water absorption, resulting in more efficient sweat evaporation. This system has already been approved and is widely used in North America and Europe. Another advantage of the baseball shirts sold by Prison is their high resistance to washing; they are shirts that do not shrink or deform.

7 interesting facts about streetwear

Now that you know a little more about streetwear style, let's share some interesting facts about this trend. We've compiled 7 curiosities about street fashion that streetwear fans will enjoy discovering.

1. A universe surrounded by prejudice - The term streetwear initially lacked glamour and wasn't widely used. A prejudiced view looked down on skaters, surfers, rappers, DJs, B-boys, B-girls, residents of peripheral areas, and activists, who were the first to identify with and actually gave rise to streetwear. Only a few years after the movement began and with its increasing popularity across all social classes did the term streetwear become widely used.

2. Major cultural shifts - Streetwear has become one of the most disruptive forces in the fashion world in recent years. Street fashion is more than a trend and, according to studies, it is the result of major cultural shifts and a profound alteration in the balance between brands and consumers.

3. The role of sneakers in streetwear fashion - Sneakers have been part of streetwear fashion since the late 1970s. In the late 1980s, sneaker collections became an important part of streetwear subculture, due to the signature sneakers of basketball player Michael Jordan. Although shoe styles have changed, the link between sneaker culture and streetwear remains strong. The sneaker market grew by more than 40% between 2004 and 2016.

4. Luxury Streetwear - The decline of formal attire led to the rise of streetwear fashion. High-end and luxury brands began developing luxury sportswear, for example, Alexander Wang, Gucci, and DKNY. In this type of clothing, luxurious fabrics were used to produce sportswear. The common combination of luxury sportswear in streetwear is running pants under basketball shorts, with bold patterns and sumptuous fabrics, for men, and light-colored pencil skirts with bomber jackets and elegant tops, trimmed in satin or tweed, for women.

5. Streetwear fashion for every season - Sportswear in streetwear designs varies according to the season and temperature. In winter, the sporty silhouette tends to be more relaxed and the volumes are exaggerated. An example of a typical winter look might be a bulky sweatshirt or a brocade jacket worn over a casual dress. In summer, the look is usually light and simple, with a combination of crop tops, elegant dresses, gym shorts, and tank tops.

6. The first streetwear brand - At the time streetwear emerged, fashion needed to go against the grain of major brands and consumerism. That's when customized and original pieces began to appear. One of the forerunners of this movement was Shawn Stussy. Thus, Stussy was born, the first significant streetwear brand.

7. Designer Streetwear - Starting in the 2000s, major brands began presenting collections entirely focused on the streetwear concept, with simple, comfortable, versatile, and even transgressive pieces. Following this movement, famous brands embraced the trend, aiming to diversify their collections and attract a wider audience.

What are the contributions of streetwear to fashion and culture?

Streetwear fashion has developed its own visual language based on graffiti, graphic design (mainly logos), pop illustration, and elements present in the daily lives of young people who practiced extreme sports or listened to alternative music, or both. Traditionally transgressive, streetwear is always looking for new ways to break fashion paradigms. Its aesthetic is intentionally provocative, sometimes exaggerated, and always unusual.

Currently, the influence of streetwear can be seen even in luxury brands that have noticed the appeal of this style to young people and have invested in this trend. It is no coincidence that Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Balenciaga, and so many other brands have partnered with well-known names in streetwear to develop special collections, even establishing themselves as a reference in the style.

Fast fashion stores have been quick to absorb the key elements used by streetwear brands, incorporating these characteristics into their products. Canvas belts with slogans reminiscent of safety equipment, jackets with transparent materials, sneakers with exaggerated designs, and t-shirts with eye-catching logos are some examples of items that are now available throughout the department store network.

How important are designers and major brands in streetwear?

The word "street" refers to ordinary people, distinguished only by tiny, yet obsessive, refinements in taste. The current importance given to streetwear fashion largely explains the rise of designer Virgil Abloh. He is a designer who gained fame by collaborating with rapper Kanye West on the Yeezy brand, and later created his own label, Off-White.

Yeezy items quickly sell out, and once sold out, they can only be found on resale platforms. Off-White drives underground fashionistas crazy, who invest their money in each limited-edition clothing release. And Abloh is the designer who shook up the fashion world more frequently and intensely than any other in 2018.

The designer became creative director of the luxury brand Louis Vuitton, which undoubtedly hopes he will inject some of that consumer magic into its brand. The union makes sense: Abloh's raw, anti-aesthetic, which uses challenging materials with conflicting colors, flashy patterns, and slogans, brands, and labels, combines with Louis Vuitton's logo, emblematic of wealth. This line between elitism and accessibility is something the arbiter of taste knows how to navigate.

In some respects, this has made the very concept of wealth tacky. And those who celebrate it have become the arbiters of taste – though not necessarily of good taste. An example would be the Goyard suitcase – emblazoned with the phrase "Rich as Fuck" (or "Filthy Rich").

More about streetwear fashion

Streetwear continues to be directly associated with expression and personality. And, although major brands are now betting on the style, it's much more about how you wear a piece, about showing who you are, than simply wearing something expensive without your personality shining through.

Streetwear fashion continues to strive for originality in most of its pieces. Fans of the style place great importance on comfort, exclusivity, and the personality of the clothing, as well as the freedom to wear whatever they want without adhering to pre-established standards. Hip hop and skateboarding culture continue to contribute to spreading, influencing, and proposing innovation for streetwear.

In Brazil, there is currently a wide range of excellent and authentic brands on the rise within the streetwear style. On the Prison website, you can find these brands and everything you need to put together your streetwear look, with guaranteed quality and easy delivery throughout Brazil.