These days, the phrase “street style” is frequently used. In recent years, it has gained a lot of popularity, but what does it actually imply and when did it start to gain traction?
Suburbanization, mass marketing, the franchising of restaurant and retail chains, the spread of television, and social media have all heightened the appeal of “alternative” lifestyles for those seeking “authenticity.”
The fusion of different styles, such as elegance and sport, has become a popular means of self-expression.
We all know how our grandparents react when they witness the evolution of style in this modern era. They are often at a loss for words.
They struggle to understand fashion trends where elegance is no longer limited to a nice dress for a girl, but where girls and boys can wear similar clothing, such as sneakers, T-shirts, and baggy pants.
With that in mind, let’s explore the history and evolution of street style, the major fashion cities that define it, and what the future of fashion holds.
What is street style?
By definition, street style is a specific fashion style originating from the British fashion culture.
It is a comprehensive approach to fashion and includes styles which intersect, differ from mainstream fashion considerations and are based on individualism and not strictly focusing on current fashion trends.
We all know that, through clothes and accessories, individuals can make a statement and show a little bit of their inner persona.
Street style helps individuals demonstrate their multiple identities, in addition to utilizing subcultural and intersecting styles or trends.
This, in itself, is a performance, as you can always put on a little show that suits your mood.
Street style is an incredibly viral, instant, addictive facet of fashion that’s changed the ways in which fashion is made and consumed.
Evolution of street style
Street style is considered a phenomenon of the 20th century even though it has always existed and has always been part of human culture. However, it didn’t have any impact on fashion until the end of the Second World War.
Icons like Christian Dior and Pierre Balmain contributed to freedom of exploration when it comes to street style.
A higher incomes enabled people to purchase high fashion products.
During that time, the looks of “street style” icons primarily consisted of a single high-fashion brand. Women donned the “new look”, synthesized by Christian Dior, which often included a long circle skirt and a tailored jacket with broad shoulders and a tapered waist.
This emphasized the female figure, replacing the “utility look” of the wartime period. This hourglass shape took advantage of the plethora of fabric that had been scarce during the war.
In England, this kind of phenomena has been studied for a long time and has revealed the importance of young people’s street styles in the post-war period, which may be linked to the generation of baby boomers, who came to represent a new sociocultural category – the “teenager” – who has money to spend and be an important motivation.
The historical overview of street style
The history of identity and the history of clothing have always been parallel. In this connection, street style works as a facilitator of group identity and subcultural cohesion.
The 20th century was characterized by a strong connection between street style and the fashion industry. The original roots of the street style phenomenon can be linked to authenticity and the desire to express some meaningful intention.
The street style development in the mid-20th century was rather different than the more recent stages of the street style development. They primarily differ in the way of purchasing and general perception of fashion.
Street style has evolved from a common social practice adopted by particular sociocultural groups to an important segment of mass fashion industry. This process was very long; it was accompanied by extensive social, cultural and economic changes.
The chaos that occurred after World War II had an impact on the overall growth of mass culture.
It was a period when people wanted to make a change from the already-known ordinary style. As a result, various groups occurred, each with its own different style: hippies, punks, goths or bikers.
The need for a change was as strong as the need for making a statement. These groups still exist and even have a reputation in the world: you can say you are respected for being different and not afraid to show your style.
To be able to experiment with your style, you had to be a person with a free spirit nature, as they called it in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
No wonder everyone nowadays brings back the ‘80s look; it was a period of colors, new trends and, simply, of bringing fashion to life.
Instagram popularity
Streetwear style became popular through hip hop, skateboarding, and social media and therefore, became so much more eye-catching and bolder.
It ranges from baggy clothes, casual T-shirts and sneakers to combining the colors, prints and designs that you would probably not wear in public otherwise.
With Instagram bursting in popularity, no wonder images of people randomly walking through the streets and taking random pictures became so popular.
It’s supposed to be fun and energetic, combining fashion through its own language.
Instagram, a leading mobile application for stylizing and sharing photos on the web, has proven its popularity not only among street style amateurs, but also among street style photographers, some of whom have amassed followings in the thousands.
Instagram is a platform providing quick and flexible exchange of activities convenient for anyone wanting to make a brand of themselves or simply share their life events with friends.
But over the years it has become so much more than just a platform – it is a community providing space to anyone in any area, especially fashion.
With Instagram, you are always up to date with the latest trends and changes, particularly in street style.
Street style photographers should be grateful to Instagram because of its popularity. It opened up a new world of media coverage that didn’t exist before.
Instagram can be used as a playground for the people who want to express themselves without being mocked at.
What seems really “weird” in real life doesn’t seem so silly on Instagram. Moreover, the clothes that look good in pictures may seem rather theatrical and pretentious in real life, especially against the urban background.
From the colors you combine to the footwear you wear, it all looks simply amazing in pictures. It probably takes a lot of time even to get a quality photo, but once it’s out there, everyone can relate to it and create their own ideas.
The aroma should be entirely natural.
