Urban Street Style

‘Urban’ style, a word used to denominate a spectrum of multicultural style, though largely originating from the African-American perspective. Urban street style and general fashion originally meant a look that bounces to the beat of Hip-Hop and R&B along with the unique twist on ready-to-wear garments, which stylistically are able to include the mix of high and low culture.

Originally back in the 90’s, urban fashion was reserved only for hip-hop and R&B artists and fans who were recognised for embracing street wear brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Karl Kani. The stereotypical urban street style consisted of big garish logos and copious amounts of statement jewellery, whether it was earrings or heavy gold chains. Realistically this style aesthetic is still current amongst amongst bloggers and street style gurus.
Urban wear became more readily available when later on in the 90’s many hip-hop insiders launched their own lines, with Wu Tang and Wu Wear, Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons with Phat Farm and Baby Phat, Nelly with Apple Bottoms, and many more.

Street Style is now a phenomenon in today’s society, and is specifically successful within the blogging atmosphere, and urban style is the basis to many posts and uploads. Urban Fashion is noticeably increasing on the streets of London. Many fashionista’s both male and female are regularly spotted mixing retro brands such as Adidas originals with a pair of high-end designer brands. The general urban style consists of clashing prints and textures with an overall sporty laid back vibe. Urban street wear brands are essential aspects for achieving the overall desired ‘edgy’ style, brands such as carhatt, stussy, vintage nike, puma shoes and urban industry.

How would you create your perfect ‘urban’ street style look? 

What does 'Urban' really mean?

The Urban Dictionary Definition: “City-like. From the Latin word ‘urbs’, which means ‘city’.”

Urban, specifically in the fashion industry is a term in todays society that is constantly thrown about in a number of contexts, but do we really know what the true meaning?

In todays day and age urban culture goes beyond the idea of baggy jeans and trainers the stereotypes that have somewhat defined hip-hop. Urban style is multi cultural, and ethnically diverse, and is able to extend to other races. People who have a vibrant background, people who take risks, and within fashion and everyday life. Urban can be a way of dressing but also a way of living. Urban can also be seen as the combination of high and low culture.

Ouigi Theodore owner of American retro-urban fashion boutique and label clothing line "The Brooklyn Circus' who is referred to as the ‘Bearded Dandy of Brooklyn’ expresses that he uses a sharp aesthetic to offer a new definition of what urban street fashion should be. “Our goal is to redefine the image of urban America…My dream is to see guys hanging on the corner in suits. Urban always had a style to it, a swagger… but it also came with the negative stigma of overuse of the ‘N’ word, the pants sagging, When I travel overseas, people see the way we dress and say: ‘You guys don’t listen to hip-hop. You’re not urban.’   “Yes, we are.”

Ouigi Theodore

Urban fashion is an ongoing phase, trend or style, ‘Urbanwear’ is in the streets and culture is recognised to have influenced it strongly. Within any specific culture you have to have fashion and a specific style will be developed from within. 

But now the question is how would you describe what the word ‘Urban’ means?  

Lily & Ellie.