4 Best Cities for Streetwear Fashion Inspo in the U.S.
When it comes to the most influential cities for urban streetwear, the U.S. leads the pack. These are the 4 most influential cities on streetwear fashion.
Our L.A.-based designers take inspiration from all over the world, including some of the most fashionable cities in the US. Not only do these cities stand out as fashion capitals, but they also influence the most popular looks for men and women who like to rock the streetwear aesthetic.
Worldwide, New York, London, Milan and Paris are known as the Big Four fashion capitals of the world. They define contemporary trends, designer looks and high-fashion couture as art. When it comes to shopping, Fodors names these 10 cities as tops for fashionistas: Tokyo, London, Paris, Singapore (which is technically an island country), Hong Kong, Sydney, New York, Madrid, Toronto and Boston.
When it comes to the most influential cities for urban streetwear, the U.S. leads the pack. In fact, you can read more about how streetwear influences high fashion in a post we published last year.
Streetwear fashion can be described as a blend of New York hip-hop culture, LA surfer/skater style, Miami club sexiness, and Chicago sneaker aesthetic.
1. Los Angeles
What defines L.A. streetwear fashions? Start with the three "Cs" of LA streetwear: comfort, casual and complete, as in head-to-toe 'fits. L.A. streetwear fashion is put together, coordinated and purposeful.
Look for matching tracksuits in comfortable fabrics with iconic graphics like skulls, RSO logos and rhinestones. L.A. street fashion embodies individuality and a style that's hard to define. Think hip-hop meets classic rock with a little Pacific Coast Highway beachy vibe thrown in for comfort.
2. Miami
Across the country on the Atlantic Coast, we head to Miami! South Florida's influence on fashion is hard to miss, with its bold colors and graffiti-embellished graphics. Known for its Cuban - and Latino-influenced music, food and culture - Miami's diversity makes it one of the best dressed cities in America.
In a word, we'd describe Miami fashions as vibrant, as in "pulsating with vigor and energy." For both men and women, the Miami streetwear vibe is defined by bright colors (oranges, reds, purples), lightweight fabrics, and sexy silhouettes. Ladies, look for cropped tops, shoulder-baring tees and bodycon dresses that are perfect for the beach or the clubs. Guys, complement her look with graphic tees, matching short sets and tie-dye styles.
3. Chicago
We're heading to the Midwest next for our third favorite city for streetwear fashion: Chicago. While you might not think of Chicago as an influential fashion city, our design team couldn't disagree more. Chi-Town is where streetwear fashion meets practicality.
Look for puffer jackets, cargo pants with oversized pockets, and layers. In the Windy City, the weather can change from sunny and warm to cloudy and cold in a second, which is why streetwear-loving men and women in Chicago have mastered the art of layered clothing.
4. New York
The Big Apple is synonymous with fashion worldwide. New York Fashion Week (which is actually twice a year -- spring and fall) is one of the largest fashion events in the world, attracting nearly a quarter of a million people to roughly 300 shows from designers all over the world.
In a separate post, we describe what defines New York streetwear: cutting-edge designs, minimalist looks made with maximalist (high-quality materials) construction, and comfort first. For this pedestrian-friendly city, New Yorkers dress for comfort and style.