Affordable Streetwear: Get the Look for Less
Streetwear fashion is a contradiction. A seemingly effortless, cheap, and casual style can actually amount to hundreds or even thousands of dollars, with the incorporation of expensive, hyped up clothing pieces. The simplisticity of streetwear items poses an illusion towards their value. For example, a solid colored sweatshirt with a tiny Nike check or with the brand name “Kith” on it can cost about $60 - $80. For just one sweatshirt. Imagine building a whole wardrobe with prices like that. Does that mean that you have to be loaded in order to achieve street style? Nah. Don’t worry, I got you. Here are my top tips to get the look for less!
IG @ clothecorner
Remember to go for solid colors as those will be the most versatile to pair with other items in your wardrobe. Another source that I personally like to use is an app called Depop. Depop allows you to narrow down your search to find specific types of clothing pieces and brands. You can also bargain with the seller if they accept offers. Overall, thrifting can be a cheap and sustainable way to shop.
1. Hoodies/Crewnecks
Rule number one about achieving street style is wearing baggy clothing, and a good-old oversized hoodie is key to the look. However, the new collection of Nike sweatshirts and apparel usually range from $60 - $120 for just one item. Instead, thrifting is the way to go. It may take some digging to find items that actually have potential, but you could score some oversized hoodies and quarter-zip ups in the men’s section at your local Goodwill.
IG @ mscrisssy
IG @ stefneyv
2. Shirts
Undoubtedly, tie-dye is one of the biggest fashion trends of this year, so why not try out tie-dye on your own? DIY-ing shirts is a cheaper option to buying a Supreme box tee or an Off-White shirt. You can either buy plain white t-shirts for $5 - $10 or use shirts you already own that need a little extra pizzazz. Rit dye is one of the more popular dye brands and is affordable as well. If you want a laid-back look, get t-shirts that are a couple sizes bigger.
IG @ 25o.clock
Another option is to get your normal size shirt and crop it. This DIY crop top paired with straight-leg jeans will give you a more trendy look. Also, a lot of streetwear brands have a basic logo that they put on the upper left corner of their shirts. A way to give off a similar effect is to embroider a small word, shape, or initial to create a personal touch that will make your shirt look more expensive and high-quality.
IG @ hhelenanguyen
3. Pants
My favorite thing about street style is that it makes sweatpants look fashionable and trendy. Sweatpants are generally cheap too, so it’s a good idea to buy a few solid-colored sweats to pair with different tops. However, if you want to upgrade your pant game, check out Zara or ASOS for affordable options. Both stores have a wide variety of pants, whether it's straight-leg, cargo, wide-leg, etc. For ASOS specifically, I usually check the sale sections first and sort by price, lowest to highest.
IG @ clothesnbits
4. Shoes
Eminem once said, “I’ve always felt like shoes are like 90% of your outfit,” and I couldn't agree more. However, not everyone wants to invest $250 in a pair of Jordans that may only go with a few outfits. Instead, you need a versatile shoe that can go with a lot of outfits and doesn’t break the bank. For Nike shoes, I recommend the Air Force 1 Shadows or the Nike Blazer Mid ‘77s, which are both around $100 - $110. If you’re not a Nike fan, check out the Puma Carina sneakers, which are all white and serve a similar role to Air Force 1s as an all-purpose shoe. For a 90s-esque “dad” shoe, I’d recommend the New Balance 574 Core sneakers, which are some of the most underrated sneakers ever!
Nike Air Force 1 Shadow on nike.com
Nike Blazer Mid ‘77 on nike.com
IG @ flexorleave
IG @ sophiapathak
IG @ clothecorner
5. Accessories
IG @ 25o.clock
Accessories are like the dusting of powdered sugar on top of pastries. They truly pull the look together and add some elegance to street style. Investing in a nice pair of hoop earrings in both a medium size and a large size is a smart move because they practically go with everything. Medium sized thicker hoops would look great with your hair in a low bun and look very clean paired with a crop top and jeans. If you want a more elevated look with even a simple sweatpants and hoodie, large thin hoops are the move. Whether you get gold or silver hoops is up to your preference and also depends on what complements your skin tone better. ASOS and Madewell are great sources for simple, affordable jewelry that can work with many different looks.
