Street style is a language of dress fed by everyday life rather than the runway, one in which everyone sets their own rules. In this article, we also discuss it through different movements.
1. What Does Street Fashion Mean to You?
As far as I understand from the name, it is the style of dress that people shape in their everyday choices according to their mood. It also varies regionally from country to country, because seasonal conditions differ from one country to another. Women can therefore take this into account and choose stylish outfits for themselves according to the situation at hand.
2. How Should It Be Worn?
First of all, rather than sticking to a single look, we can choose a different style of dress. If we are heading to a restaurant, we can put together an outfit with a more modern piece. A stylish blouse and jeans, for example, work well. It could also be a pencil skirt or a dress in a fabric that sits nicely on your body. You can even pair it with smart patent leather shoes and a leather-style bag. Then we will have achieved a superb look.
However important our clothes are, when our jewellery ties in with them it gives us an even more stylish look. In this way, we also shape our own street style. Leather jackets, leather shoes, leather trousers and leggings are, as always, indispensable. This year is no exception.
Standout movements in street fashion
3. What style of dress do you choose for special occasions and for everyday?
- Hippie: Jeans, T-shirts, long hair, floral and ethnic prints, colourful flared trousers, authentic jewellery, and accessories such as bandanas and sunglasses.
- Punk: Ripped clothes, safety pins, leather clothing, provocative T-shirt slogans, skinny trousers, studs, rebellious-looking hair, canvas shoes.
- Gothic: Black or dark-coloured clothing, long dark hair, lace, tulle, velvet, ornate silver jewellery, leather and dark make-up.
- Hip Hop: Baggy, low-slung trousers, oversized T-shirts, hoodies, caps, chain accessories, trainers.
These timeless movements give rise to creative, fun and free-spirited styles, especially in big cities. The streets of London and New York in particular stand out in this respect. This has no doubt influenced fashion designers too. Indeed, in recent times we have begun to see traces of street style in the creations of world-famous designers and brands. In short, street fashion looks set never to lose its influence… Because everyone feels comfortable and free there and can express their individual style.
How was street style born?
Street style was born from the dress habits that youth cultures and music movements created in cities. Each of the hippie, punk, gothic and hip hop movements, for example, stood out with its own distinctive pieces, and over time they inspired designers’ collections too. Today, street style photographers and social media spread a look born in one city around the world in no time.
To compare the approaches of different cities, take a look at our article on street outfits from the fashion capitals. And for the history of the movement, the street fashion entry on Wikipedia is a comprehensive resource.
Image: A street style look on the street with a green dress, black leather jacket and wide-brimmed hat (representative image) — Stephon Joseph, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
