A unique trend that was previously overlooked in the clothing realm is making headlines all around the world. Men street fashion, which has now become a global phenomenon, has been around since World War 2.

However, it picked up steam after Elvis Presley brought it to youth’s attention in the ’50s and became a real thing with the rise of punk and hip hop culture in the ’70s.

Casual wear also has its roots in Japanese street fashion and heavy metal. But how did it go from cult followings to becoming a fashion giant that is irresistible to youth?

Let’s visit the past to solve the mystery.

Surf and skate culture in the ’80s and ’90s

Shawn Stussy is a renowned American fashion designer who used to create custom skateboards and surfboards.

In the 80s, he began to print his artwork on outfits for family and friends. The idea was so brilliant that his small gig meant exclusively for loved ones quickly transformed into a global fashion line, prompting high-end brands like DC Shoes and Vans to launch their own urban casual wear collections.

The Japanese connection

The rise of punk and hip hop had a massive influence on Tokyo street fashion as well. A brand named BAPE took inspiration from early hip hop groups like Run DMC, while another famous Japanese brand NEIGHBORHOOD became famous by introducing military jackets as casual wear.

The biggest reason Japanese streetwear took over the global markets is that many influential figures wore it. For example, Soulja Boy wore a BAPE article in one of his songs, ‘I got me some Bapes’, which led to a massive increase in the brand’s urban casual wear sales in the American markets.

Influence on youth

As hip hop and skate/surfboarding have grown from subcultures to dominating interests in the states, streetwear is no longer an oddity. Besides, endorsement from celebrities like Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Pharrell Williams has given their Gen Z and millennial stans all the more reasons to sport casual wear confidently.

Elevate your style sense with Goatwrx

Our urban clothing streetwear is more than fashion. It’s wearable art that flaunts your unique style and charm to the public while prioritizing comfort.

We draw inspiration from casual wear’s rich history, previous movements, current trends, and our passion for fine arts to create articles that turn heads!

It doesn’t matter if you are from New York, Tokyo, Paris, or Milan; our outfits are perfect for creating your dream look per the culture.