Do We Really Want To Dress Like Street Style Stars Anymore?
Many people may hold misconceptions about street style, prompting the question, "Do we really want to dress like street style stars anymore?" The answer to this question is absolutely yes. Only a few truly grasp the real concept behind street style. A lot of people misinterpret it for fashion shows, ramp walks, or runway fashion. Despite sharing many aspects, these two concepts are very different.
Street styles revolve around individuality, creative dressing sense, and uniqueness, incorporating various aspects of culture, art, tradition, environment, and socio-economic elements of a society. They combine authenticity and practicality with distinctively styled wearables, and are appealing to most individuals. However, you cannot say the same thing about runway fashion. Designers curate these pieces for special shows, showcasing their prowess and creativity. The models who walk the ramp do not contribute to these pieces. On the contrary, street style is all about individual creativity at the local and suburban levels.
The likes of Scott Schuman and Bill Cunningham, the pioneers of street photography, shed light on street style. Cunningham captured the New York streets stars in the early 1970s before the days of the internet and social media. Schuman propelled street style to the next level with his digital blog, The Sartorialist, launched in 2005. Hiroaki Fukuda showcases Tokyo’s eclectic and bold street fashion; Søren Jepsen documents Scandinavian street styles, while Phil Oh captures candid street style shots with playful colors from around the world. Many notable names in the industry capture the amazing street style stars from around the world and put them on the magazine and digital platforms, creating a very thin line between street style and runway fashion.
The Fine Line between Street Style & Runway Fashion
In the past, there existed a delicate boundary between these two facets of fashion. However, the line continues to blur. Currently, both sources draw influences from each other and inspire new ideas. We can see that runway fashion is having a significant influence on street style these days. On the other side of the spectrum, fashion designers incorporate ideas and inspirations from unique parts of the globe into their collections, adding their own unique twist.
However, runway fashion caters only to occasions and fashion weeks. They don't necessarily come alive in everyday life. The flamboyant dresses are not appropriate for the everyday lives of regular people. On the other hand, street styles are practical, versatile, and an expression of identity. Of course, street styles are a bit more elevated than the usual wares of the commoners. Their purpose is to demonstrate exclusivity and showcase a heightened personality. Everyday usability keeps the two spectrums of fashion on opposite sides.
Street Styles From Around The Globe
Street styles originate and maintain unique characteristics from different parts of the world. The ones that are alluring, eye-catching, visually appealing, and practical grow on the internet and become a global sensation overnight. Some of the top cities, like New York, Paris, Tokyo, and Lagos, have their own unique street styles that have captured a global audience for years.
Tokyo street style stars showcase their bold and extensive style with layers, vibrant colors, and experimental designs. Japan's subcultures—Gyaru, Lolita, and Visual Kei—have a huge influence on the fashion trends on the streets. Some are more extravagant and edgy. On the other side of the Earth, in France and Paris, street style takes a more minimalist approach. The dresses are neutral and timeless, showcasing elegance and smartness.
When it comes to street styles, stars, and photography, New York deserves its own section. We can say everything began from here. At least the globalization of street style began here. This city boasts a diverse range of street styles, ranging from experimental and chic to edgy styles, which demonstrate the multicultural aspect of the vibrant city. Lagos’s street stylers flaunt Afrocentric designs with vibrant prints, elaborate colors finely mixed with Nigerian culture.
Los Angeles street stylers lean more toward casual appearance, where denim shoes and flowy dresses are dominant. London’s street style stars showcase a mixture of classic and punk-influenced appearances. The subcultures and the rich history of the city have a major influence on the styles. Berlin, on the other hand, has more techno and art-inspired styles brilliantly showcased in monochromatic and oversized wearables.
Street styles from different parts of the world carry their own meaning and symbolizations. They directly or indirectly resonate with the climate, social, economic, subcultural, and urban influences. The best examples are Seoul street styles that are under the heavy influence of K-pop and K-fashion. Whereas, Scandinavian street styles cater to the cold climate with visually appealing layered clothing. Also, the socio-economic element plays a huge role in determining the growth and flourishment of the Street styles. We can’t expect top-tier street style in a country where basic needs are hardly met.
Street Styles: Everyday Wear with Flair
It is true that not all street styles are suitable for everyday wear, Japan’s Visual Kei being a prime example. They are a bit more expressive and may not appeal to everyone. However, most street styles from around the world are elegant and serve the purpose of everyday wear. They are thoughtful, beautifully designed, matched, and individually crafted to showcase exclusive personality. So dressing up like street style stars can be a good way to express yourself. However, special occasions demand a special sense of dressing. At the end, what and how you wear is up to you—you do you!