Hey, fashion lovers! 👋 Welcome to my latest blog post all about street style and how it has been influenced by cultures around the world. As a fashion enthusiast, I’ve always been curious about how urban fashion trends begin and how they spread globally.

So, let’s dive right in and explore the cultural influences that have shaped street style over the years!

Hip Hop and Streetwear 🎤🧢👕

Hip hop, a music genre that originated in African American and Latino communities in the Bronx, New York City, in the 1970s, was the catalyst for the emergence of streetwear in the fashion world.

Streetwear consists of comfortable, casual clothing such as T-shirts, hoodies, sneakers, and baseball caps, with bold logos and graphics. Skateboarding culture from Southern California later embraced streetwear fashion and made it a global phenomenon.

High-end fashion houses such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Supreme have adopted streetwear culture and brought it into mainstream fashion.

A photo of three people wearing streetwear, including a hoodie, T-shirt, and sneakers

Japanese Street Style 🎌👘👞

Japanese street style has also played a significant role in the evolution of urban fashion. Japan has always been a hotbed for quirky fashion trends with its Harajuku district in Tokyo being the center of Japanese street fashion.

Japanese street style includes neon colors, oversized silhouettes, platform shoes, and anime-inspired accessories. The fashion subculture has also popularized androgynous clothing with both men and women often wearing the same styles.

The fashion retailer, UNIQLO, which has stores in over 20 countries, is one Japanese brand that has influenced global fashion. Its focus on minimalism and practicality has made it popular among streetwear enthusiasts.

A photo of a group of young people in Harajuku, Tokyo, wearing bright and colorful clothing, oversized jackets, and platform shoes

African Prints and Fabrics 🌍👘🌺

African prints and fabrics have had a significant impact on the fashion world as well. From traditional Kente cloth from Ghana to Ankara prints from West Africa, African prints have become mainstream.

The designer Stella McCartney has incorporated African prints into her collections, and the Italian luxury brand Gucci has used traditional African motifs in their pieces. The South African brand, Maxhosa Africa, has also made waves in the fashion industry with their use of colorful geometric patterns.

Wearing African prints is more than a fashion statement; it’s a way of celebrating African culture and heritage.

A photo of a model wearing a colorful African print dress with a matching head wrap

The Korean Wave 🎵🇰🇷👖

The Korean Wave, also known as Hallyu, has swept across the globe with its music, television dramas, and, of course, fashion. Korean street style is about dressing comfortably yet fashionably, with a focus on layering.

Korean fashion is known for its use of unconventional materials such as leather, faux fur, and vinyl. Korean fashion brands such as Jiwinaia and Ader Error take inspiration from street culture and infuse humor and quirkiness into their designs.

The Korean Wave has had a significant impact on the global fashion industry, with K-pop stars and Korean fashion brands becoming more mainstream.

A photo of a group of young people in Seoul, South Korea, wearing oversized jackets, layered clothing, and statement glasses

Conclusion 💭

Street style is a form of self-expression that continues to evolve with cultural influences from around the world. Whether it’s hip hop and streetwear, Japanese street style, African prints and fabrics, or the Korean wave, each culture has contributed to the unique tapestry of urban fashion.

So, what’s your favorite street style trend? Share in the comments below!

A photo collage of all four cultural influences on street style, with a mix of urban fashion from each