In the age of social media and celebrity influence, streetwear is increasingly becoming a coveted fashion genre. Whether it’s a simple graphic tee or a pair of kicks, streetwear is about expressing your personality and individuality through casual clothing.
The best streetwear brands are renowned for their unique, innovative designs that cater to a wide variety of tastes and styles. We’ve rounded up the top 10 to help you find your perfect match.
Champion
Champion is one of the most popular and leading sportswear brands in the world. The brand offers a wide variety of clothing, including t-shirts, shorts and hoodies, that are made with high-quality materials that provide comfort. They also use modern tailoring techniques to ensure that the clothes fit perfectly.
The Rochester, NY-based brand started in 1919 and has been a pioneer of sportswear since then. It was founded by the Feinbloom brothers who had the vision to bring sportswear to a new level. They began supplying athletic teams and their uniforms in various countries, such as Greece, Poland, and Italy.
During this period, the company introduced the reverse weave technology which prevented shrinkage from oft-washed cotton clothes and uniforms. This was a huge breakthrough in the world of athletic wear and helped them build a strong reputation in the industry.
In the ’90s, Champion became famous for designing NBA uniforms and provided clothing to many of the largest college teams. They also designed the jersey for the 1992 US men’s Olympic basketball team.
With a history like that, it’s no wonder that Champion is still a top streetwear brand in the world. Their t-shirts, hoodies and sweatshirts are made with high-quality materials that are comfortable and durable. They also have a strong streetwear vibe and are perfect for casual or athleisure looks.
The best part is that Champion has a very strong presence in the market, so you can find them almost anywhere. They also have a good reputation among customers and industry experts alike, making them a top choice for many people. In addition, they offer a wide range of colors and prints to suit your style.
Brain Dead
Founded in Los Angeles by Kyle Ng and Ed Davis, Brain Dead is a creative collective of artists and designers from around the world. It takes a disruptive, graphic-led approach to design, drawing inspiration from post punk, underground comics, skateboarding, and the spirit of subculture as a whole.
Initially a DIY project, Brain Dead has grown to be one of the best streetwear labels in the world. It’s known for its unorthodox approach to graphics and reimagining design in the age of the internet.
While many brands claim to represent counter-culture, Brain Dead founders Kyle Ng and Ed Davis actually walk the walk. They grew their brand across two continents – Ng in Los Angeles and Davis in Melbourne, Australia – by taking a love for music, art, comics, and skate culture into the business.
Their immersive culture extends to real-time issues, such as Black Lives Matter, and Ng and Davis use the brand’s platform to help protect the rights of marginalized people. For example, they’ve donated to M4BL and the LGBTQ Foundation Fund, raising over $500,000 in the process.
With a penchant for quirky ancient aliens and marionette puppet short films, Brain Dead is also at the forefront of cult cinema. In October, the brand took over a historic Silent Movie Theater in Fairfax Avenue, opening up Brain Dead Studios.
The space is a multi-purpose facility featuring a cafe, showroom, repertory cinema and Brain Dead’s own sunglasses, keychains and merch. In fact, a tote bag designed by the label and available through Reebok supports The Roots of Music, a New Orleans non-profit that provides musical education to underprivileged children.
For the past six years, Brain Dead has been growing its brand based on their love for art, music, and skate culture. The result is a line of apparel that spans old comics, LP covers, graffiti, vintage concert tees, and graphic internet finds.
Heron Preston
Heron Preston has a unique way of looking at the world. His designs are heavily influenced by his background in graffiti and street art, as well as by his love of punk rock and hip hop.
In 2016 he launched his eponymous label Heron Preston, which focuses on references from the internet and youth culture. He also collaborates with other artists and brands to produce one-off items, such as a capsule collection with Calvin Klein that combines luxe wardrobe essentials with contemporary elements.
His ethos is to produce clothes that are less environmentally damaging than usual. This idea began after Heron had a shocking realization while swimming in the ocean; a plastic bag floated by his leg, and it was then that he realized how much waste is produced by the fashion industry.
To combat this Heron worked with the New York City Sanitation Department in 2016 and designed a collection called UNIFORM which was entirely made of recycled fabrics. This collection was exhibited at the Spring Street Salt Shed, and it aimed to encourage the zero-waste initiative that the city has set for 2030.
Heron has a knack for putting together a cohesive, yet completely diverse collection that is full of references from the internet and youth culture. The Heron Preston collection is always full of bright, bold colors that reflect the young and vibrant people who wear his clothing.
Heron Preston is constantly creating self-initiated projects that straddle the boundaries of the worlds of art and fashion, and his enthusiasm for them is apparent throughout all of his work. He is able to channel this energy into his work and create a brand that is instantly recognizable.
Levi’s
As a brand rooted in authentic, time-tested denim, Levi’s has remained a dominant force in streetwear for nearly a century and a half. While the brand has experienced a bit of turmoil throughout the ’90s as competition from fast fashion brands and premium denim players carved out its share of the indigo-dyed pie, it’s now thriving again thanks to a growing sense of relevance among young consumers.
Aside from jeans, Levi’s also produces a wide range of shirts, hoodies and accessories for both men and women. Its kids’ wear division has been around since 1912, and its collections are designed with love and attention to detail.
This season, Levi’s has a new campaign that highlights six influential faces that are shaping the future of activism and sustainability. It features rapper Jaden Smith, Manchester United player Marcus Rashford, YouTuber Emma Chamberlain and climate activist Xiye Bastida.
The campaign also includes a pair of Levi’s jeans emblazoned with messages of “buy less, wear longer.” It’s a message that the company hopes will inspire people to be more responsible in their shopping habits and encourage them to buy durable goods that won’t be obsolete a year down the line.
If you’re looking for a pair of jeans that will last a lifetime, you can’t go wrong with the Levi’s 501 model. These straight-leg jeans have been a staple of the brand for almost a century and are the perfect fit for most body types.
The 501 is available in a variety of colors and fits, including a relaxed, more relaxed and a baggy dad version. The latter style is especially on-trend in the current world of streetwear, and they’re a great investment for anyone who wants a pair that will look good and feel comfortable.
Stance
Stance is a brand that is widely known for their socks, but they have expanded their range to include shirts and intimates. They have a huge following and have collaborated with athletes, performers and artists. They also have a few retail locations throughout the United States.
The best thing about this brand is that they make their own products, which means you can be sure of quality and craftsmanship. They have a strong commitment to sustainability and gender equality, making them an essential addition to any fashion lover’s closet. They also donate a portion of their profits to a financial aid program to help people in need.
Another big reason to put Stance on our list of the best streetwear brands is that they have a very unique and distinct look. Their logo is a stylized smiley face, and it makes them stand out from other streetwear brands on the market. They have a large selection of different styles, and the t-shirt designs are especially cool.
In order to create a packaging solution that reflects their brand vision and provides a good shopping experience, Stance turned to Enlisted to help them develop a strategic packaging plan that could grow with their company and accommodate the demands of growth in future offerings. They wanted a strategy that would reduce material waste and increase shopability, while being sustainable and environmentally friendly. The new packaging features soy based inks, recycled paper and plastic, water based glues, and a reduction in overall plastic use.
