The Best Streetwear Brands to Cop in 2021
Streetwear. Easy to spot, but often hard to define. The catchall term has come to encompass street fashion, luxury casualwear, retro sportswear, pandemic-era loungewear, hypebeast sneaker culture, and so so much more.
Streetwear's steady popularity has led to a diverse range of brands with different aesthetics, ethos, and It-items. To help you decipher the growing number of options available, we've broken down the best streetwear brands of 2021 into some emerging and popular categories: high-end and luxury, skate and surf, black-owned, Japanese, and techwear. While this is by no means a comprehensive list, it's certainly a great place to start.
All the best streetwear brands of 2021, all in one convenient place.
High-End & Designer Streetwear
Though not everyone can afford to wear high-end and designer streetwear labels H2T, they're important indicators of upcoming streetwear trends and emerging talent. If there are three luxury streetwear items worth breaking the bank for, they're certainly a splurge-worthy pair of designer sneakers, the all-important Investment Bag, and an outerwear pièce de résistance.
Off-White
Though Off-White emerged less than a decade ago, they've become one of the most popular streetwear brands in the world. According to the Lyst Index, the Paris-based label was one of the most highly sought-after brands of 2019, outranking established names like Gucci, Balenciaga, Prada, and Bottega Veneta. The label's founder, the multi-hyphenate Virgil Abloh, is a staple in fashion's Instagram-famous inner circle, frequently collaborating with big-name creatives like Kendall Jenner, Takashi Murakami, Bella Hadid, Naomi Campbell, Lucien Smith, and Kanye West.
Off-White's success lies in their ability to blur the lines between high fashion and streetwear, art and wearable fashion, pop culture and clothing history. Through harnessing the power of in-your-face branding, tongue-in-cheek designs, and celebrity endorsements, they appeal to streetwear purists and trendy Gen Z kids alike. Their black-and-white diagonal stripes and "Everything in Quotes" quotation marks can be spotted on celebrities, athletes, and cool kids around the globe.
Opening Ceremony
Like many of today's streetwear stars, Opening Ceremony began as a humble multi-label retail store in 2002. Named after the highly-watched Olympics ceremony, their boutiques featured a curation of trend-setting styles from around the globe, including many from smaller international labels and emerging local designers. In its early days, Opening Ceremony's OG Howard Street location served as a bridge between the New York fashion scene and small independent designers, helping introduce countless uncultured Americans to brands like Acne Studios, Alexander Wang, and Cheap Monday.
In 2020, OC announced it would be closing its retail operations and shifting towards an e-commerce model focused solely on their own Opening Ceremony label. Sporting one of OC's chic sweatsuits, tees, or matching sets shows your superior taste in 2000s fashion.
Chrome Hearts
Thanks to their large celebrity following, Chrome Hearts became one of the It-brands in 2020. Though the surge in internet fame may lead you to believe they're brand new, the Los Angeles-based luxury streetwear brand has been making their biker-inspired leather jackets, denim, sunglasses, and home goods since the late 80s. Their gothic font and leather crosses have been sported by everyone from Motley Crüe to Lil Wayne to Kylie Jenner.
Gucci
Gucci's dominance in urban fashion can be traced back to one man: Dapper Dan. During the 80s and 90s, the Harlem-based tailor created custom bootleg designer pieces for Black hip-hop artists and athletes who weren't included in the high-fashion scene. Over the years since, a steady stream of talented Creative Directors have each reinvented Gucci's interlocking Gs with their own unique flair, ensuring the brand remains one of the top-selling luxury streetwear brands year after year.
Thanks to Gucci’s current Creative Director Alessandro Michele, they’ve reached record sales with their artistic, avant-garde, and often gender-bending approach to streetwear. Also popular today are 90s and early 2000s Gucci pieces designed by Tom Ford, particularly their sexy slip dresses, strappy heels, and G-string thongs.
Louis Vuitton
As streetwear has overtaken the fashion world, longstanding fashion houses have changed their ways, transitioning from traditional bespoke tailoring to casual streetwear. There is perhaps no better evidence of this powerful shift in luxury fashion than Louis Vuitton.
For over 150 years, Louis Vuitton refused to "deface" their infamous LV monogram. But in 2017, under the direction of streetwear-savvy Artistic Director Kim Jones, the famed fashion house joined forces with Supreme to create one of the most legendary collabs in streetwear history. According to Hypebeast, Louis Vuitton x Supreme's mixed-logo pieces have sold for up to $25,000 on resale sites. Following the success of the Supreme collab, they hired Virgil Abloh as head of menswear in 2018. In his first two years, Abloh has already brought the same playful branding and hip-hop-inspired flair seen at Off-White to LV's traditional menswear and tailoring.
Kith
Like Opening Ceremony, Kith began as a multi-label retail store focused on creating a unique ~experience~ for social media-savvy shoppers. But thanks to their 'Gram-worthy ice cream shop, white Air Force One sculptures, and an army of celebrity followers, their minimalist sweatsuits and hard-to-snag collabs have earned their rightful place in any bona fide sneakerhead's closet.
YEEZY
Despite Kanye West's never-ending stream of controversies, YEEZY is still one of the most popular streetwear brands in the world. Since the first apocalyptic collection dropped in early 2014, Ye's label has grown into a multi-billion global empire, thanks largely in part to its ongoing footwear collaboration with Adidas. According to Stock X, sales of YEEZY slides increased 400% in 2020, with most pairs selling for 4x their original retail price on resale sites.
With brands like YEEZY, it's crucial to consider the underlying message your clothing choices send— especially during times of increased political division and social unrest. While it's easy to separate Kanye's new uber-Christian, anti-abortion, anti-vax political beliefs from his stylish loungewear and sneakers, it's no longer an option in 2021.
Surfwear & Skatewear Brands
West Coast skateboarding and surf culture have played a central role in streetwear since day one. Though there are countless skate and surf labels on the market today, a handful of OGs still hold a special place in hypebeasts' hearts.
Supreme
When most people think of streetwear, they think of Supreme. Over the past 25 years, the New York-based brand has grown from a small skate label to the single most popular streetwear brand of all time. In the fall of 2020, Supreme was valued at over $1 billion when it was purchased by VF Corp., the parent company of Vans and Timberland.
Their famous Box Logo, inspired by Barbara Kruger's pop-art typography, has been featured on numerous collabs with an elite list of designers, artists, and celebrities, including Keith Haring, Louis Vuitton, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Playboy, and Rolex.
Stüssy
Streetwear's success is due in no small part to Stüssy, Shawn Stussy's eponymous West Coast skate brand. Launched in the early 80s, Stüssy is considered by purists to be one of the first true streetwear brands. Sporting Stüssy's collared shirts, work pants, and sneaker collabs proves you're well-versed in streetwear history and aren't just falling victim to the hype.
Golf Wang
Golf Wang was founded in 2011 by rapper and street style icon Tyler the Creator. Over the years, Golf Wang's skater aesthetic has evolved alongside Tyler's career. These days, Golf Wang offers wacky, candy-colored, flame-printed clothing and sneakers Gen Z shoppers can't get enough of.
Fucking Awesome
Fucking Awesome was started in 2001 by a trio of professional skateboarders. (Due to the profanity in their name, you'll often see it shorted to a simple FA.) Their in-your-face logo and old-school skate videos make them a favorite amongst alternative Gen Z skaters and E-Boys. But in all seriousness, if Rihanna wears something, you know it's cool.
Sportswear & Affordable Streetwear Brands
When it comes to affordable streetwear clothing, you can't beat old-school sportswear brands. Through offering timeless athletic-inspired basics, they've secured a place in budget-conscious consumers' closets. Conquer the high-low approach to dressing by mixing these affordable streetwear brands with splurge-worthy statement pieces and vintage grails.
Nike
Nike's iconic swoosh has dominated the sneaker game for decades. Financial forecasts predict that between 2011 and 2025, Nike will have maintained a steady 27.4% of the global athletic footwear market. Whether it's Air Force 1s, Jordans, Air Max 97s, Converse All-Stars, or one of their countless other archetypal styles, you can't go wrong with a classic pair of Nike sneakers. With a steady stream of new collabs to choose from, it's easier than ever to build a solid foundation for your casual wardrobe.
In addition to their best-selling sneakers, Nike's high-quality, eco-friendly clothing is well worth the hype. Their athleticwear and loungewear staples are versatile, affordable, and easy to mix-and-match with your favorite kicks.
Adidas
In 1986, Run DMC's catchy single My Adidas secured Adidas' place in both hip-hop music and streetwear history. "It was a song that was about our sneakers, but it was bigger than just talking about how many pairs of sneakers we had," DMC member Darry McDaniels told MTV News. "It came from the place of people would look at the b-boys, the b-girls and go, 'Oh, those are the people that cause all the problems in here.' And, 'Those young people are nothing but troublemakers and those young people don't know nothing.' So they was judging the book by its cover, without seeing what was inside of it."
In the 35 years since, Adidas' three stripes have remained dominant in the footwear industry thanks to collabs with Yohji Yamamoto, Pharrell Williams, Opening Ceremony, and their ongoing partnership with YEEZY and Ivy Park.
Artist Merch
At its core, streetwear is about visually aligning yourself with brands, artists, and current social trends that you identify with. By sporting an artist's merchandise, you subtly communicate the type of person you are and what type of music you like. Though merch from Travis Scott, Kid Cudi, and Kanye West are popular with hypebeasts, the choice is entirely up to you.
While you probably won't be picking up your favorite artist's new tour merch IRL anytime soon, you can still snag pieces through online pop-up shops, virtual concerts, and resale websites. Or sport an old-school band tee from your go-to vintage store.
Carhartt WIP
Carhartt's trend-driven Work in Progress line (WIP for short) has been dishing out workwear-inspired pieces since the late 80s. Their heavyweight twill chore coats, work pants, and knit beanies have been a staple in hip-hop fashion since the days of Biggie and Pac. While Carhartt WIP's basics alone are worth the hype, they've collabed with some of the biggest names in streetwear, including Heron Preston, Nike, Commes des Garçons, Stüssy, and BAPE.
Ethical & Sustainable Streetwear Brands
The sustainable fashion movement has been making major headway over the past few years. In addition to the ethical streetwear brands below, wearing vintage streetwear is a great alternative to fast fashion.
Zeitgeist
Though we aren't usually one to toot our own horn, toot freaking toot. As a Seattle-based brand, Zeitgeist's bleach-dyed tees and distressed denim fuse grungy PNW style with the cool-kid factor of New York and London street style. Everything, from our OG Bleach-Dyed Tees to our menswear-inspired Reconstructed Button-Ups to our Tik-Tok worthy Matching Sets, is made from upcycled vintage clothing. And we donate 25% of every purchase to a local Seattle non-profit.
Noah
Supreme's global success is owed in part to Brendon Babenzian, who worked as their design director before branching out to launch his own label, Noah. Their prep school meets skate park aesthetic feels a bit more grown-up than Supreme's rebellious spirit.
Noah is perhaps put best their own words: "As a brand, Noah seeks to take a stand against many of the appalling practices of the fashion industry. Our clothes are made in countries, mills and factories where tradition, expertise and human dignity take precedence over the bottom line. We donate portions of our profits to causes we believe in. We speak out on issues we find important, and try to help give voice to the people and organizations we care about. We do this humbly, but with a firm belief that a responsible brand is a healthy one; that putting our values on the line pushes us to do our best."
Patagonia
Though Patagonia may not be your traditional streetwear brand, their gorpcore fleece vests and jackets are a longstanding favorite of city slickers and outdoorsy hypebeasts alike. Their sustainably-made techwear staples, retro prints, and anti-consumerist mentality typify Gen Z's most rebellious (and stylish) Internet activists.
Underground Streetwear Brands
Thanks to the Internet, there are countless "underground" streetwear brands these days. Amidst seemingly endless options to choose from, these trusted brands will never lead you astray.
Palace
While Palace isn't quite underground anymore, its cheeky graphics and off-beat skatewear still have the same rebellious spirit they did from the start. Launched by Lev Tanju in 2009, Palace has grown from being one of London's OG streetwear brands to the British answer to big names like Supreme. Over the past decade, the skate shop has attracted the attention of cool kids worldwide with their 90s pop culture references and VHS-style skate videos. Peep their tri-ferg logo on collabs with Ralph Lauren, Adidas, Moschino, and Dover Street Market.
Half Evil
As the name suggests, Half Evil's humorous designs play on the balance between sadistic alternative streetwear and lighthearted pop culture references. Started by 21-year-old Sam LeBlanc, the brand has already made a name for itself in its first few years of operation thanks to their witty graphics, devilish mascot, and unique pricing model.
Alongside their other relatively-affordable styles, Half Evil occasionally drops $3.33 graphic tees that sell out in seconds. "I wanted to make sure I give people who may not be able to afford the trendy expensive gear the ability to own at least one new piece from a brand they like every month and feel good about it,” said LeBlanc in an interview with The Hundreds.
Black-Owned Streetwear Brands
Streetwear owes much of its history to black artists and creatives. Supporting black-owned streetwear brands is an absolute must in 2021.
Pyer Moss
CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award winner Kirby Jean-Raymond founded Pyer Moss in 2013 as both an "art project" and a "timely social experiment." The brand's Reebok by Pyer Moss sneakers, part of an ongoing collaboration between the two, have a rightful place in any sneakerhead's collection.
Each season Pyer Moss uses their platform to create a dialogue around racism, police brutality, and other social issues that plague 21st-century America. In 2015, they opened their show with a 12-minute video about police brutality titled This Is an Intervention. The collection that followed featured jackets with "I can't breathe" hand-painted across the back, and workwear boots scrawled with the names of victims of police brutality: Eric Garner, Oscar Grant, Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown.
FUBU
FUBU, which stands for "For Us, By Us," is one of America's OG hip-hop apparel companies. Though FUBU is no longer the flashiest or trendiest black-owned streetwear brand on the scene, their vintage hats, jerseys, and varsity jackets are well-worth copping.
One of FUBU's most memorable moments came in 1999 when they a Gap commercial with the help of LL Cool J. “He was wearing a pair of Gap jeans and a Gap shirt, but he was somehow able to sport one of our hats during the commercial. Then during his thirty-second freestyle rap, he looks directly into the camera and says, ‘For Us, By Us, on the low.’ No one at Gap nor any of their ad execs thought anything of it.” said FUBU co-founder Daymond John.
Telfar
Unless you lived under a rock in 2020, you're probably already familiar with Telfar's ubiquitous Shopping Bag— a vegan leather top handle bag embossed with the brand's oversized T logo. Unlike other It-items of our times (read: Fendi Baguettes, Chanel hair clips, Off-White sneakers), Telfar's "Brooklyn Birkin" is unexpectedly affordable—though damn-near impossible to get your hands on. The brand's focus on accessible and inclusive It-items is perfectly summed up by their tagline: "It's not for you. It's for everyone."
Fear of God
In an industry overrun with logo-covered clothing and in-your-face branding, Jerry Lorenzo's Fear of God offers a much-needed breath of fresh air. Unlike most streetwear brands, Fear of God doesn't slap their label on anything and everything in sight. Instead, they offer simple, logo-free basics focused on high-quality materials, versatility, and impeccable fit.
To fend off the growing number of fast-fashion knock-offs, Lorenzo launched FOG Essentials, an affordable diffusion line offering the same logo-less basics and sleek lines at a lower price point. Their hoodies, sweats, and sneaker collabs have been spotted on everyone from Michael B Jordan to The Biebers.
A-Cold-Wall*
Samuel Ross launched British streetwear brand A-COLD-WALL* in 2015 as a celebration of youth culture and a sartorial response to Britain's turbulent social climate. Discouraging overproduction and overconsumption, ACW*'s minimalist menswear blends artisan craftsmanship with innovative materials. Thanks to an ongoing partnership with Nike, their outerwear and chic menswear tailoring are made using innovative sustainable materials and technically-engineered fabrics.
Japanese Streetwear Brands
If Tokyo's streetwear scene isn't already on your radar, it needs to be ASAP! Inspired by Harajuku street style and origami paper folding, Japanese streetwear brands always push the envelope. Over the past decade, their high-quality products and rule-breaking designs brought them long-deserved recognition from global fashion audiences.
A Bathing Ape (aka BAPE)
No list of Japanese streetwear brands would be complete without A Bathing Ape, better known as BAPE. Started in 1993 by DJ and fashion designer Nigo ( Tomoaki Nagao), BAPE's camo-prints and bizarre pop culture pay homage to the early 90s Harajuku scene. Thanks to an endless stream of limited-run collabs, the Tokyo-based brand has gone from an underground label to one of the most popular streetwear brands in the world. As if the success of BAPE alone wasn't enough, Nigo later partnered with Pharrell Williams to create Billionaire Boys Club, another highly-successful luxury streetwear label.
UNDERCOVER
For the past 30 years, UNDERCOVER founder and streetwear mastermind Jun Takahashi has created some of streetwear's most sought-after collabs and collector items. UNDERCOVER's slightly punk, slightly gothic, post-modern aesthetic is perfectly summed up by their motto: "We make noise, not clothes." The brand's 2019 capsule collection with Off-White, "OFFWHITEUNDERCOVERS," seamlessly blended UNDERCOVER's obscure graphics with Off-White's oversized branding on timeless hoodies, sweats, jeans, and tees.
CDG Play
Where would Japanese fashion be without Commes des Garçons? Founded in 1969 by Rei Kawakubo, the brand's avant-garde aesthetic and unconventional silhouettes brought Japanese street style to the forefront of the fashion industry. In 2017, Kawakubo's unique designs received the attention they rightfully deserve at the "Rei Kawakubo/Commes des Garçons" themed Met Gala and Costume Institute exhibition.
Their's streetwear-driven diffusion line CDG Play is best-known for their lovable heart-shaped logo and infamous Commes des Garcons PLAY X Converse sneaker collab. Since launching in 2002, their cardigans, hoodies, and tees have attracted the attention of everyone from Drake to Alexa Chung.
NEIGHBORHOOD
NEIGHBORHOOD, also known as NBHD, is one Japan's OG streetwear labels. Launched in 1994 by Shinsuke Takizawa, NEIGHBORHOOD found its audience in the early Harajuku streetwear scene. Their grungy aesthetic plays on Takizawa's love of motorcycle culture and classic Americana designs like leather jackets, workwear, and selvedge denim. Over the years, they've created droves of grail-worthy collabs with industry giants like Adidas, Converse, Anti Social Social Club, and BAPE.
AMBUSH
In the male-dominated world of streetwear fashion, Yoon Ahn is one of few women to head a major streetwear brand. Though AMBUSH began as an experimental jewelry line, it quickly exploded into an international brand with copious high-profile collabs under their belt. Early Ambush jewelry, most recognizably their POW! gold chains, have been spotted on rap legends like Jay Z, Kanye West, and Skepta.
Techwear Brands
In recent years, outdoorsy techwear brands have steadily increased in popularity amongst gorpcore fanatics. With a focus on high-quality materials, innovative technical materials, and functional basics, these brands are a worthy addition to any wardrobe.
The North Face
Thanks to their innovative technical apparel and outdoorsy aesthetic, The North Face has become the coolest outerwear brand of 2021. Much to the delight of Tik Tok's cottagecore scene, their recent collaboration with Gucci was filled with ugly-chic puffers, backpacks, and hiking boots guaranteed to resell at an insanely high price. Trust me, The North Face's ubiquitous 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket won't be going out of style anytime soon.
ACRONYM
If you're going to splurge on one high-end outerwear piece this year, make it ACRONYM's J1A-GT, a zipper-filled, pocket-covered Gore-tex jacket that'll quite literally last forever. The Munich-based brand's no-frills designs have that elusive timeless-but-futuristic quality every techwear brand aims to find.
