Streetwear is a style that can be as simple as a tracksuit to something more complicated, where designers and off-set prints come into the equation. As an adult, you might find some street styles aren’t that suitable, slightly obnoxious or merely unflattering, but it’s a style that hard to avoid and its relaxed ethos offers a temptation for a day that you don’t want to dress up, but still want to look on trend. Here’s a step by step guide into wearing street clothing like an adult by avoiding some of the OTT styles…
Step 1: Start from the Bottom
The majority would agree that shoes make the outfit, but in this case, it’s trainers. Picking out a pair of trainers that defines your taste is the key to any streetwear look. The actual style doesn’t necessarily matter, whether it’s an elaborate pair of Nike Airmax with a lot of design or a simple pair of plain Adidas Originals. Making sure you’re wearing a pair you like rather than something you think is popular in the store in the first step to streetwear for adults.
BONUS TIP Trainers are the best way to show off a hint of youth when it comes to unique streetwear look, but if you want grown-up trainers to match your adult streetwear style, look no further.
Step 2: Fitted, Not Baggy, Not Skinny
Naturally, wearing a fit that you feel comfortable in is key, but if you’re unsure, fitted clothing is the best approach. A fitted style shouldn’t be skinny; jeans, joggers and tops should all be tailored to show a more defined look, that has been made to be worn with more purpose. Skinny fits can often look uncomfortable and unflattering, so when wearing streetwear, it’s best to avoid this. Currently, in the luxury streetwear industry, a baggy/ regular fitted is becoming a popular choice, again this can often be mistaken with wearing clothes that hint towards you not caring about your appearance, so let’s miss that trend off too.
BONUS TIP If you like the skinny or oversized styles, you don’t have to completely write them off, as long as you’re combining the styles to show your intention, this will work well too. Wearing skinny jeans and an oversized hoody shows a relaxed factor to the mens streetwear clothing style with a visible sign of intention.
Step 3: Play it Simple
Too much? Remember to not over do it. Pictured: Nasir Mazhar‘s SS16 Collection
Another trend with luxury streetwear is wearing different prints together, that don’t match. This isn’t a great look for adults that aren’t walking down a catwalk in Milan. Simplicity is key with streetwear, fitted clothes paired with plain streetwear works as an easy but effective look for an adult. Naturally, some graphics on a hoodie or some branding is fine.
BONUS TIP Avoid bright colours, it’s another significant trend that popular with the offset prints, but standing out with bright colours isn’t the adult option, play it cool and don’t push the style to its boundaries.
Step 4: Quality
Streetwear clothing usually has an origin of being a skater or workwear brand previously, although these brands a typically good long lasting quality, you’re not buying the garment so you can ride a skateboard. Picking out light premium cotton will offer a better look that doesn’t look cheap or weighted. It’s probably the hardest step to follow as it can be hard to identify look and feel online, but also the least important.
© Supreme
Remember this is only a guide, one of the things that makes streetwear such a popular style is that the majority of rules are just guidelines. Streetwear is a continually changing industry that doesn’t tend to follow conventional rules of fashion.
Richard Meadow is a freelance writer that focuses on fashion trends, jewellery and lifestyle. He enjoys researching and identifying new styles and writing about them daily. In his spare time, he enjoys watching football, running and the odd hike.
Twitter: meadow_richard
