With bloggers and fashion fans from all over the world documenting the newest trends and styles on the streets, street style has become a global phenomenon. The roots of street fashion, however, may be found in the 20th-century subcultures, where individualism and self-expression were at the forefront of fashion. This article will examine the development of street style over time and go in-depth on its history.
The Beginning of Street Style
The rise of subcultures in the 20th century is where street style first appeared. Youth subcultures like the Beatniks, Mods, and Rockers started to emerge in the UK and the US in the 1950s and 1960s. These subcultures eschewed conventional fashion and embraced their own distinctive looks.
For instance, the Mods preferred slim-fitting suits, button-down shirts, and parkas whereas the Beatniks loved black turtlenecks, berets, and sunglasses. Conversely, the Rockers were all about denim, motorcycle boots, and leather jackets.
The Rise of Street Style Photography
It wasn’t until the 1970s that street style photography started to gain popularity. The renowned New York Times street style photographer Bill Cunningham started capturing unposed images of fashion on the city’s streets in 1978. His images perfectly encapsulated street style and demonstrated how regular people were expressing themselves via clothing.
In Japan, street style photography started to take off about the same time. Influential magazine Street debuted in 1985 and highlighted images of Tokyo’s hip young people. This was a pivotal time in street style history because it demonstrated how fashion was being used as a means of self-expression all across the world.
Street Style Goes Mainstream
Street fashion started to gain popularity in the 2000s. The emergence of fashion bloggers and social media sites like Instagram were major contributors to this. Instagram gave anyone a platform to display their sense of fashion, while fashion bloggers started to capture and share their own unique style.
Street style has become a global phenomenon in recent years, with bloggers and photographers documenting the newest fashions on the streets of major fashion cities like New York, Paris, and Tokyo. Street style has caught the attention of fashion brands, who use it as an inspiration for their own creations.
The Future of Street Style
Street fashion will develop together with fashion and technology. Street style is expected to transcend the streets and into the digital sphere with the emergence of augmented reality and virtual reality. In the future, virtual fashion shows and street style photography are also possibilities.
One thing is clear, though: street style will always be a reflection of the society and culture in which it is present. At its core, it will always be about self-expression and individualism, while it will continue to develop and adapt to the times.
How Street Style Continues to Inspire and Influence Fashion Today
Street style has a long history that begins with the 20th century’s subcultures. It has transformed from a small-scale movement to a worldwide phenomenon, and it has greatly impacted the fashion business. Even while the future of street style is unknown, one thing is certain: it will always play an important role in the fashion industry.
