For some people, the term “streetwear” conjures up images of the recent trends seen on the streets of New York, Paris, London, or Tokyo. That’s because, before it became an aesthetic and cultural movement, it was considered to be “unflattering fashion.”
But now, the top streetwear labels send harness bags and hoodies down fashion week runways, fighting for the spotlight with luxury fashion houses.
They are contemporary, easy-going, and distinctive in their aesthetics.
These labels are fusing luxury and hip-hop streetwear, making them more “trendy” than ever.
We’ve compiled a list of our top streetwear brands to help you enhance your street style game.
30 Best Streetwear Brands
1. Off-White
Since its founding, Off-White has made a splash on the fashion runways as well as the streets. The brand’s creator, the late Virgil Abloh, dreamt of creating a space “in-between” where streetwear meets luxury. Now, Off-White is credited for the rise of streetwear in the realm of luxury.
You’ll not only see the brand on the backs of hype beasts but on the runways of Milan Fashion Week as well.
Before founding his own brand in 2013, Abloh had experience working with Kanye West and Fendi.
His fusion of couture and streetwear culture has resulted in a brand noted for its vibrant and unique patterns, exciting collaborations, and forward-thinking designs.
Despite being a relative newcomer to the street style world, Off-White has undoubtedly earned its legendary position.
2. Supreme
Supreme, based in New York, has woven itself into the tapestry of streetwear culture.
Supreme is one of the names that has heightened street fashion in the world of luxury fashion, and they did so by collaborating with brands such as Louis Vuitton and Rolex.
The American clothing and skateboard company is now seen on the street fashion lovers and hype beasts all around the world. As a result, the brand is already one of the biggest streetwear labels in history.
Supreme reinvents the supply and demand cycle by releasing a small number of new products every week. It gives you a chance to freshen up your look with a new touch on the classic red and white trademark.
3. Kith
Ronnie Fieg, a New York-based footwear designer, is the brains behind Kith. The multidimensional label houses some of the most desired names in the streetwear scene for sneakerheads in its retail area. It’s also an independent label.
Keith is most recognized for its iconic logo and contemporary clothes. They also feature limited-edition collaborations with some surprising names.
Bugaboo, a premium pram company, and even Coca-Cola have collaborated with Kith. Moreover, they also collaborated with Tommy Hilfiger. The theme was to create a nostalgic capsule collection for Autumn/Winter 18.
4. Nike
One of the original brands to be linked with the birth of sneaker culture is Nike.
Regardless of their personal preferences, all sneakerheads will accept that the swish is the most well0known and loved symbol in the world. Nike has evolved from its prominence as a fitness clothing brand to a streetwear name.
The brand has teamed up with brands like Patta and Off-White to create some of the most stylish streetwear to date. The growth of Nike is only increasing, and it appears that they will continue to do so for many years to come.
Tinker Hatfield, the brilliant shoe designer who produced some of the company’s most classic styles, including the MAG, Air Max 1, and many Air Jordans, is responsible for a large part of its accomplishment.
5. Vetements
Vetements is a testament that streetwear has entirely invaded the world of high fashion. This commonly mispronounced brand is often known for its oversized edgy and ironic hoodies.
Founded in 2014 by Demna Gvasalia, his brother Garam Gvasalia, and five other friends who have a plethora of experience in the fashion world. Essentially this was their way of creating a more down-to-earth, in-touch with the youth designer brand.
Vetements have gained notoriety quickly through their time in the spotlight. Its inventive and eclectic designs took runway fashion and turned it into streetwear cool.
As best stated by Vogue, Vetements is known for its tongue-in-cheek garments. Their clothes reflect the idea of urban cultures, the internet, and everyday life.
They have also used appropriation to garner the attention of many. Their use of broader culture in satirical designs never fails to generate a buzz.
6. Adidas
Adidas is a renowned street fashion label as well as an Iconic sports brand. Along with several collaborations with celebrities, the German design company is also renowned for its Yeezy footwear series with rapper Kanye West.
The Yeezy Boost collection has produced some of the most sought-after and talked-about sneakers in recent years.
It also served to solidify Adidas’ position in street fashion. With the 1990s sneaker craze in full force, the ‘Three Stripes’ status in the market is only growing stronger.
7. HUF
HUF is a brand that began in the early 1990s and is deeply ingrained in streetwear culture. Since then, it has only grown in strength. A New York native, Keith Hufnagel started his own label in San Francisco after a spell with Stussy.
HUF swiftly established itself as the one-stop store for all things surf and skate. It is now regarded as one of the most famous streetwear brands, with stores all over the world.
8. Stüssy
Stüssy launched as a modest graphic shirt firm in 1980 and is regarded as the first streetwear label. Shawn Stussy developed his company to include skate and surf items after gaining a lot of traction with his t-shirts.
Stussy’s magnificent designs have achieved tremendous success since its debut in the 1980s. And it translated into a vast spectrum of streetwear by the brand.
After more than four decades, the Cali-born label has grown into a streetwear behemoth.
Stussy is now a leading force in the streetwear couture industry, offering forward-thinking creations while staying faithful to its origins. The label, famed for its inventive and eye-catching graphics, is doing better than ever.
9. Obey
Obey has significant ties in the skate and punk countercultures and is notable for mixing activism into its design.
Shepard Fairey, an artist, launched the brand in 2001 as a continuation of his creative works.
Fairey’s apparel reflects his populist ideas and acts as a new platform for him to spread his message.
Since its founding, the brand has grown in popularity and is now a staple of the streetwear scene.
10. Undercover
Undercover was founded in 1993 by Jun Takahashi. It is evident that Undercover is heavily influenced by punk as the culture has played a big role in Jun’s life.
You can see this through the many notable ripped and punk-inspired t-shirts as well as patch leather jackets and custom vintage clothes.
Undercover is known for its eccentric shirts with exaggerated printed patterns.
The brand was popular in Tokyo throughout the 1990s.
Undercover cemented itself as a prominent brand by debuting many notable and iconic collections. And now, it has evolved to be among the most well-known and recognized labels in the streetwear world.
They have collaborated with various brands such as Nike, Uniqlo, Valentino, and of course, multiple supreme collaborations.
11. Cav Empt
Cav Empt is a streetwear label popularized by people who wanted more than Supreme’s box logo sweatshirts and sought a fresher, more dynamic label.
This Japanese brand has swept the United States and Europe by storm, focusing on unusual patterns, futuristic styling, and functional detailing. The Japanese streetwear monarch is now one of the highly desirable brands in the post-streetwear era because of the unique clothes.
12. Billionaire Boys Club
It’s no wonder that Billionaire Boys Club became a fashion phenomenon so fast after being founded by Pharrell Williams.
It’s widely known that Pharell acquires his materials directly from NASA due to the ‘outer space’ inspiration on several of the designs.
Although some designs are fresh out of the 1990s, the label has a humorous, colorful, original, and all-around carefree vibe.
Sk8thing, the designers of Cav Empt, created the label’s logo. The brand sells limited-edition hoodies, tees, and jackets.
13. Gosha Rubchinskiy
This unique label, founded by Russian designer and photographer Gosha Rubchinskiy, has swiftly become one of the most talked-about streetwear labels. Rubchniskiy learned the ropes of design under Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons.
The new designer helped Rei Kawakubo with the manufacturing of his seasonal designs while also working on his own brand. Sport and skate-inspired aesthetics and the employment of unorthodox models are used to represent post-Soviet youth.
14. 10 Deep
Scott Sasso launched 10 Deep in 1995 as an autonomous streetwear fashion company. The New York-based label makes enhanced and incredibly detailed versions of traditional work and sportswear.
10 Deep is a streetwear apparel label that takes inspiration from subcultures such as graffiti, punk skate, and hip hop.
They try to convey individualism via loud and distinct style, abiding by their motto, “Forget everyone and listen to yourself.”
15. A-Cold-Wall
Founded by Samuel Ross, a London-based designer, in 2015, A-Cold-Wall was inspired by the British class system. The label merges British working-class uniforms with elements of tailoring.
Ross tries to look into what is not celebrated enough in fashion in regards to materials and visual language. Each garment is hand-dyed and handcrafted.
Ross adds the logos and details by himself. This helps with the brand’s personal feel.
The brand acts as a platform for direct communication with its audience. The fact that Ross’s own lived experiences and reflections of the narratives of his peers serve as an influence for the brand.
16. WTAPS
Founded by Tetsu Nishiyama in Japan in 1996, WTAPS the name in which is a reference to the military shooting technique. The brand has used its many influences, such as historic military garb.
It also uses outdoor clothing and punk and skateboard cultures to remain at the forefront of the Japanese streetwear scene. The label pushes the boundaries of streetwear as a whole.
Tet’s love for military stylings heavily influences WTAPS. You can see in their early collections that feature a plethora of all things military. Although to the untrained eye, this may just look like military surplus garb.
17. Heron Preston
It’s safe to say that Heron Preston is a brand as well as Heron Johnson as a person as a jack of all trades. Heron has cemented himself as an icon for the youth through his various artistic escapades.
He’s not only a fashion designer but a DJ consultant and an art director as well. He strives to integrate less environmentally destructive practices through his work.
The notable traits of many of Heron’s pieces include the signature orange color as well as a Cyrillic word for style.
You’ll see it embroidered on a handful of their garments. Furthermore, the use of prints of the actual hair and bird is another staple signature trait.
18. Acne Studios
Acne Studios is a Stockholm-based fashion house founded in 1996 by Johnny Johansen and Thomas Skoging. The acronym for ACNE has many different meanings.
At first, it stood for Associated Computer Nerd Enterprises. Johansen’s interest in philosophy, art, architecture, and contemporary culture influenced the brand. Acne Studios is an ambition to create novel expressions reflected through the brand’s juxtaposing designs.
The brand aims to produce quality, timeless clothing with a focus on environmental sustainability.
19. ALYX
Founded in 2015 by Matthew M Williams, 1017 ALYX 9SM has been a staple brand in luxury fashion. ALYX is often recognized for its quality garments, chest rigs, and iconic roller coaster belt buckles.
Matthew was born in Chicago and raised in California. He worked with a variety of talented and notable people, which helped inspire and shape his aesthetic.
Matthew takes great inspiration from his youth and upbringing. His interest in the creative process of fashion has led him to extensively research garment construction and fashion philosophy.
His style is deeply rooted in creative repurpose innovation and craftsmanship.
It’s evident in ALYX’s punk/subculture feel combined with an edgy and utility spin. ALYX combines luxury streetwear with high fashion, which further promotes its unique feel in regard to the brand’s name.
20. Aime Leon Dore
Based in Queens, New York, Aime Leon Dore strives to deliver simple yet meaningful designs. The label aspires to create a uniquely timeless aesthetic. Teddy Santis founded the brand in 2014.
It’s apparent that Teddy’s fondness for New York flows through the brand. The label owes its signature hi-lo blend of urban and tailored essentials to Teddy’s nostalgic memories of growing up in Queens.
The brand is also inspired by the graffiti scene and basketball stars. It resulted in the brand putting its unique spin on menswear favorites in order to give them a new fresh, timeless feel.
Utility jackets, windbreakers, and layering give the brand its own very refined aesthetic. There’s definitely a classy feel to it rather than a “bougie, nasty and ratchet” feel.
Although the brand is still relatively new, its influence and significance are already felt in and among streetwear and men’s fashion realms alike.
2014 was when the brand debuted its first collection. It included a logo crewneck, jogging pants, vest, bombers, a wool trench coat, and other garments. These went on to become brand staples.
21. Bape (A Bathing Ape)
22. Cactus Plant Flea Market
23. The North Face
24. Golf Wang
25. Palace
26. Brain Dead
27. The Hundreds
28. CDG Play
29. Carhart Wip
30. Neighborhood
Conclusion
It’s undeniable that streetwear has found its way into high-end fashion. Formerly designated for skater youths and subcultures, you will now see streetwear in both the courtside of a basketball game as well as on models walking in fashion weeks. Because of the shift in the fashion industry, you can now pick convenience and comfort without sacrificing style. And that’s what streetwear fashion is all about!
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