Streetwear clothing is notoriously difficult to define, even by those who wear it. This may be because, as its name suggests, streetwear is largely a grassroots fashion movement influenced by what is currently happening “on the streets,” and is thus constantly evolving. It is possible to isolate a few general principles of streetwear, however. First of all, it is usually centered upon casual, comfortable pieces such as jeans, t-shirts, baseball caps, and sneakers. It is also influenced by hip-hop and skateboarding styles as well as 1980s nostalgia, and often features bold colors, graphic prints, and retro designs and logos.
Many streetwear clothing enthusiasts hold that the movement emerged in the late 20th century as a reaction to mass-produced “mall” style. While it took some of its inspiration from existing hip-hop and skateboarding fashions, the early streetwear clothing movement also offered its participants a chance to express their individuality by adding light-hearted, quirky, or avant-garde pieces to the styles that preceded it. By creating their own looks, streetwear proponents felt they had established an alternative to “mall” fashion. It is perhaps ironic, then, that by the early 21st century, many mass-produced fashions had begun to display a distinct streetwear influence.