The Best Streetwear Brands
Of course, the question on everyone’s lips is, “What are the best streetwear brands?” It’s taken us a while to get here, but we’ve finally managed to decide ourselves. We’ve focused mostly on contemporary streetwear brands (newer than 2008), which also offer more of a selection of products (rather than just one or two). We’ve also tried to include a range of prices and styles so there should be something for everyone.
This is not meant to be THE definitive list; it’s just a rough guide of where we think some of the best brands are right now.
1. A Bathing Ape – The Originator
BAPE is one of the original streetwear brands and, to many people, still one of the best. It was founded in 1993 by Nigo, a Japanese DJ, and entrepreneur who saw a gap in the market for a brand that reflected his passions – hip-hop music and clothing. The first store opened in Harajuku, Tokyo, and was such a success that word soon spread.
The “A Bathing Ape” brand initially sold customized jeans and shirts before moving into their now infamous BAPE camo printed hoodies, t-shirts, and sneakers which have made the brand stand out over the years. Their iconic shark hoodie has now become a staple in streetwear wardrobes and can be spotted on celebrities everywhere.
BAPE has become so popular that it now has stores all over the world, including New York, Hong Kong, and even London. It’s also collaborated with other huge brands such as Apple Inc. (check out their iPhone), Pepsi, Comme Des Garcons, and many more.
For anyone looking for a way into streetwear, BAPE is certainly one of the best brands to start with due to its recognisability, availability, and history. Prices can vary from as low as £50 up to £300+ depending on the product – their most expensive sneaker is a collaboration with Colette (a Parisian boutique), which retails at $585.
2. Norse Projects
Norse Projects is a Danish streetwear brand that was founded in 2003 by designer Anton Juul and his friends. It was initially just a T-shirt label but has since evolved into something bigger than that, offering both clothing and footwear.
The name of the brand is actually a reference to Norse mythology which talks of nine worlds that are represented by different colors – which also happen to be the colors used most in their clothing. It’s another example of Scandinavian designers creating something very simple but effective with clean lines, minimal colors, and nice fabrics.
Norse Projects has stores in Copenhagen, Berlin, and London, plus it’s stocked by some of the best retailers worldwide, including Colette in Paris. Although it is more expensive than most other brands on this list, it does offer some great quality clothes that are perfect for autumn/winter.
3. Palace
Palace is a British skateboarding brand that was founded in 2009 by Lev Tanju. The brand has a unique look and feel thanks to directors Scott Pope and Ben Drury, who were also co-founders of the label.
The name of the brand derives from a skater term that most people will be familiar with – it basically means using an object in the street (usually a drain cover or a bench) to perform tricks on. The drain covers used by skaters in the UK have a crown design which is also incorporated into many of their products.
Palace’s clothing and footwear line have been very popular over the years, especially with people who enjoy skateboarding, hip-hop, or other urban styles. They’ve collaborated with some big-name brands, including Reebok, Umbro, and Adidas.
It’s not the most expensive brand on this list, but it is very popular, so it can be difficult to get your hands on items at times. You can buy products directly from their online store or search for stockists in your area if you want to give them a try.