The 20 Streetwear Clothing Items Every Hypebeast Owns
Streetwear is complex and confusing, even to fashion people. Because trends are defined by the masses instead of the fashion elite, it can be hard to define exactly what is streetwear.
If you're new to the world of streetwear clothing, it can feel overwhelming to determine what items you should add to your wardrobe. Especially if you'll be splurging on designer streetwear brands. That's why we've rounded up 20 must-have types of streetwear clothing that are always on-trend. Keep scrolling for the ultimate lesson in hypebeast style.
To call yourself a true hypebeast, these twenty streetwear clothing items are an absolute must:
1. Sneakers
It's impossible to discuss streetwear without first talking about sneakers. Millennial and Gen Z sneakerheads have major buying power. The global athletic footwear market is estimated to reach $94.15 billion in 2025. Additionally, Hypebeast's 2019 Streetwear Impact Report found that sneakers are the top-selling item at 72% of luxury streetwear brands.
Today's streetwear scene is overflowing with sneaker collabs. These limited-edition sneakers are co-created by a whole host of fashion creatives, including old-school brands like Nike and Adidas, luxury streetwear brands like Off-White and Yeezy, cult-favorites like Supreme and Commes de Garçon, and even global musicians like Drake and Travis Scott.
Zeitgeist Recommends:
If you're new to the whole sneakerhead thing, start with classic sneakers— like the ultimate streetwear sneakers, white Nike Air Force 1s— before investing in trendy (and often, expensive) collabs. Once you've created a foundation of versatile footwear, you can start saving up for a splurge-worthy pair.
2. Logo Tees
Thanks to OG streetwear brands like Stussy and Supreme, logo tees have been a staple of streetwear style from the start. While slapping your logo on a t-shirt started as a niche trend amongst skateboarders, it soon became the norm amongst streetwear brands. Similar to sneakers, the popularity of graphic tees is driven by product scarcity and high demand. Both products can easily sell for 3 to 4 times their original value on the resale market.
Zeitgeist Recommends
When you rep a brand, you also rep their values. So in a subtle act of self-promotion, might we suggest one of Zeitgeist's logo tees. We donate 25% of proceeds from your purchase to a Seattle non-profit, so you can feel good about what you’re flexing.
3. Hoodies
While other types of sweatshirts like crewnecks and zip-ups are also popular, hoodies are by far the most sought-after type of streetwear sweatshirt. Like t-shirts, graphic hoodies are in high demand thanks to their scarcity and internet hype. Streetwear-approved styles include concert merch, designer logo hoodies, and sports team logos.
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While oversized sweatshirts are great on their own, they can be difficult to layer. To avoid unnecessary bulk under your arms, layer with more-fitted sweatshirts or layer a warm longsleeve tee under an oversized hoodie.
4. Sweatpants
While Karl Lagerfeld may have considered sweatpants a "sign of defeat," thanks to brands like A Bathing Ape, Yeezy, and Off-White, sweats have gone from lazy to luxury. Streetwear rose to popularity at the same time as another major fashion movement: athleisure. Because of the pandemic, sweatpants are now 100% acceptable to wear in public. You're welcome.
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When it comes to sweatpants, opt for neutral shades over seasonally trendy colors. Not only do basic colors offer versatility when styling, they'll stay current for seasons to come.
5. Denim Jackets
For decades, denim jackets have been a staple in wardrobes of all ages, genders, and styles. In streetwear, denim jackets are often worn layered over a t-shirt or sweatshirt. Oversized fits, distressed washes, and vintage-inspired styles are popular choices in 2020.
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When in doubt, you can't go wrong with a vintage Levi's denim jacket.
6. Puffer Jackets
In the winter, hypebeasts' winter coat of choice is the puffer jacket. To get the look, go with a puffer with an oversized fit and a large amount of fill.
Two of the best streetwear jackets are the classic The North Face 1996 Nuptse Jacket and the Moncler Montbeliard coat.
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If you're going to invest in one jacket this winter, it should be a basic black puffer jacket. While it isn't necessarily the most exciting option, you'll get the most bang for your buck. Not only will a black puffer match nearly any winter outfit, it'll still be in style for seasons to come.
7. Ribbed Socks
Ribbed socks are perhaps the most underrated clothing item in streetwear. For budget-conscious streetwear lovers, socks offer a chance to flex your favorite brand without breaking the bank. When clothing from high-end streetwear labels like Vetements and Off-White costs upwards of $2000, a pair of $115 socks seems like quite a steal.
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When it comes to socks and streetwear, nothing beats the OG: Nike's classic white ribbed crew socks. The athletic look pairs well with casual outfits with sneakers and offers the perfect contrast to dressed-up looks with boots or heels.
8. Slide Sandals
In the world of streetwear, slide sandals are like logo tees for your feet. Equal parts casual and practical, rubber slides offer the perfect opportunity for streetwear brands to slap their logo on a pair and sell them at an illogically high price.
Regardless of if they're Champion or Chanel, slide sandals are an essential addition to your streetwear wardrobe.
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In our humble opinion, expensive slide sandals are not worth the splurge. Stick to an affordable athleticwear brand for your slides, and splurge on other footwear that can be worn year-round.
9. Straight-Leg Jeans
Long gone are the days of skin-tight skinny jeans. In streetwear, it's all about comfort. Over the past few years, skinny jeans have steadily been replaced by straight-leg jeans.
Hypebeasts are known for being purists when it comes to denim. Most stick to classic Levi's jeans. A pair of 90s-style Levi's jeans in a distressed medium wash is a streetwear-approved pick for both men and women.
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When it comes to 100% cotton jeans, never trust the size on the tag. Instead, look at the brand's size guide, customer reviews, and the garment measurements themselves. Remember, it's okay to size up (even a handful of sizes) in jeans that are made with zero-stretch denim. This is especially true for vintage jeans.
10. Hats
Because streetwear clothing is relatively simple, accessories allow more room for individuality and self-expression. Bucket hats, beanies, baseball hats, you name it, hypebeasts wear it. Similar to graphic tees, hats are the perfect way to flex a designer logo or exclusive collab.
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If you don't consider yourself a "hats person," it's best to start with the basics. A sporty baseball cap, black bucket hat, and grey beanie are some of the most versatile accessories out there.
11. Windbreakers
Lightweight nylon windbreakers, often referred to as technical outerwear, draw inspiration from 80s athleticwear. In street fashion, they are almost always worn oversized. Brightly-colored vintage windbreakers, in particular, are a popular choice amongst environmentally-conscious streetwear customers.
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A colorful windbreaker is an ideal place to add a pop of color to your wardrobe. The next time it rains, you'll instantly stand out amongst the sea of boring black rain jackets.
12. Tracksuits & Sweatsuits
Though tracksuits and sweatsuits were initially designed as athletic wear, they've become a cornerstone of modern athleisure. It's largely thanks to the infamous Harlem designer Dapper Dan that sweatsuits and tracksuits have staked their claim in luxury streetwear. During the 1980s and 1990s, Dap created luxury streetwear for brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton worn by hip-hop artists like LL Cool J, Salt-N-Pepper, and Big Daddy Kane.
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If you don't have an actual sweatsuit or tracksuit, fib it with a monochrome athleisure look. Pair together a sweatshirt and sweatpants in the same shade, and no one will be the wiser.
13. Cargo Pants
Hypebeasts praise cargo pants for both their practicality and their style. Though pocket-heavy pants have gone in and out of mainstream fashion, they've remained steadily popular in the streetwear scene. Like jeans, they're worn oversized by both genders. Popular colors include army green, camo, and black.
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A tip for all my ladies out there: balance out boyfriendy, androgynous pants with a super feminine (read: sexy) top.
14. Sweaters
Part of what makes the streetwear industry so successful is its ability to target both men and women with the same products. Though streetwear was initially worn by men, most types of streetwear clothing aren't gender-specific. Both men and women can wear the same exact same sneakers, sweaters, cardigans, sweatshirts, and sweatpants. Colorful graphic sweaters in particular are a favorite amongst streetwear-loving professional athletes and celebrities.
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Style your graphic sweaters just like your hoodies and sweatshirts.
15. Blazers
A high-low approach is key to creating streetwear outfits. Whether it's pairing a designer bag with a thrifted outfit or mixing loungewear and formalwear, opposites seem to attract. The same goes for blazers, which are often worn with sneakers or sweatsuits. Blazers have been a major trend on the runways in recent years. Luxury streetwear designers like Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Off-White showed different interpretations of the classic style on their Fall/Winter 2020 runways.
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A black blazer is one of the most important clothing items for both men and women to own. The versatile piece will look great with not only streetwear outfits but office-appropriate and formal looks as well.
16. Sports Jerseys
Streetwear brings together sports and fashion in an entirely new way. Look no further than Air Jordans for proof. In 1984, Nike produced the first iteration of the sneaker exclusively for basketball star Michael Jordan, and the collaboration was released to the public later that year. Now, thirty years later, Jordan has earned over $1 billion from Nike.
While streetwear was born out of skate and surf culture, football and basketball are the sports jerseys of choice. Style them as you would an oversized graphic tee.
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Fashion, especially streetwear, is all about communicating who you are through what you wear. Rep a jersey from your favorite sports team or player for real street cred.
17. Chain Necklaces
Streetwear is heavily influenced by hip-hop music and athlete culture, two groups who love to sport expensive jewelry. Those who can't afford the diamond-encrusted chains worn by streetwear icons like Travis Scott and A$AP Rocky recreate the look with simple chain necklaces. Edgier streetwear enthusiasts often wear heavy silver chains with an industrial, punk-inspired feel. Those inspired more by old-school hip-hop icons tend to wear layered gold chains.
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When layering multiple necklaces, add interest by playing with different lengths, weights, and textures.
18. Button-Up Shirts
Casual button-up shirts are a popular alternative to t-shirts and sweatshirts. More often than not, they'll feature a bold print, designer logo, or quirky graphic. The most common style for both men and women is a relaxed-fit short-sleeve button-up.
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A classic menswear button-up can be a versatile addition to your streetwear wardrobe. While they're easy to dress up for the office (obvi), they're also surprisingly stylish worn casually with sneakers and sweats.
19. Trousers
Thanks to streetwear, trousers have made a major comeback. A style that was once reserved for WASPs and boardrooms is now frequently paired with hoodies and tees in casual streetwear outfits. Like many other streetwear styles, trousers often have a minimalist, genderless feel.
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If you plan on wearing your trousers with sneakers, it's essential that your pants are the right length. If they drag on the ground, take them to a tailor who can hem them to a sneaker-friendly length.
20. Bomber Jackets
Bomber jackets are one of the most popular types of outerwear— not only in streetwear but in fashion as a whole. Like cargo pants, the bomber jacket draws inspiration from military styles. Common styles of bomber jacket include letterman/varsity jackets, satin flight bombers, and leather bomber jackets.
Though they were originally worn by World War II pilots, bomber style jackets have since been popularized by subculture movements. Throughout the past 40 years alone, punks, skinheads, the LGBTQ community, and now, hypebeasts have put their own spin on the classic style.
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When it comes to outerwear, less is more. It's better to invest in a few high-quality jackets that will actually keep you warm than to waste money on low-quality, trendy items you'll only wear a few times.
