With the last few years being the age of streetwear in fashion, there is no doubt that there are countless popular brands out to choose from. Whether you’re rocking a Supreme logo or a BAPE, sporting some of the top brands never gets old.
Although there have been many that have come and gone, we look at the top 5 most popular streetwear brands that have made their mark in fashion history.
Supreme
In the world of streetwear, there is a somewhat unified consensus that Supreme is the industry leader. One of the most defining characteristics of Supreme is the way they build hype around their products. They market their items by designing and creating exclusive ‘drops,’ which are then discontinued shortly after release. This desire to have the latest limited edition product that cannot be found elsewhere is what has been driving fans to the brand, completely changing the retail model of supply and demand.
Additionally, Supreme has done countless collaborations with various iconic companies and figures, from Nike to Kermit the Frog. This has allowed it to catapult itself into a globally known brand. Moreover, Supreme was one of the first that broke down barriers between streetwear and high-fashion, doing collabs with Louis Vuitton. Currently, it ranks as number one on Ranker.com.
Nike
We cannot go down the list without mentioning an OG in the streetwear game, Nike. While they are more than just streetwear and are famously known for sportswear, Nike has played a big part in pushing the sneaker culture forward for decades.
There is no denying that their Air Jordans and the Nike swoosh logo has been iconic throughout history, from famous artists and athletes repping it. With collaborations with other streetwear brands like OFF-WHITE, Nike has done a great job rebranding itself from a simple workout brand to full-fledged streetwear.
Stussy
Considered one of the oldest – if not the godfather of – streetwear, Stussy has had paramount success over its long history. Starting off as just another surfing brand made by Shawn Stussy back when hip-hop was hardly a thing, the brand has now grown into an iconic symbol of streetwear.
From collaborations with Nike and world-renowned artists including Drake, Stussy is undoubtedly one of the top brands in the industry. Stussy was the first brand to successfully integrate Supreme’s current model into the retail world and since its early days, has always emphasized the importance of individuality and exclusivity. In its 20+ years, Stussy continues to remain as one of the tops in the game, ranking third place on Ranker.com.
Off White
Created by Virgil Abloh, OFF-WHITE has been on the rise, cementing itself as one of the most iconic streetwear brands. Serving as Kanye West’s designer and now entering the world of high-fashion as Louis Vuitton’s artistic director, the brand has gained quite a lot of traction.
Besides being seen on the runways of Paris Fashion Week, Off-White has collaborated with big brands like Converse Chuck Taylor and Nike. Abloh has lent his creative vision with some of the music industry’s hottest artists. Off-White is a streetwear brand that, as its name hints, was created to blur the line, and it does exactly that. These days, it is difficult not to notice Off-White’s unforgettable former X logo everywhere.
Adidas
While Adidas is another brand that people may not completely associate with streetwear, there is no denying it has its place in the culture. Home to Kanye West’s successful line of sneakers, Yeezy, hypebeasts, and streetwear fanatics cannot deny how much his shoes have made its place as one of the top sneaker brands.
Ever since Yeezy grew to be accepted by the masses, the rest of the Adidas apparel followed suit. Much like Nike’s swoosh, the Adidas three stripes have been mentioned and seen all across media and the world.
Honorable Mentions
It is difficult not to mention every big brand out there since there are many famous ones. While the brands above refer to those that have had a long outstanding history of relevance, the honorable mentions below are just a few of the many that are just as memorable.
A Bathing Ape
Founded in Japan by Nigo in Ura-Harajuku in 1993, A Bathing Ape has become a global streetwear brand in its many years of being around. Not only has it been sported by the world’s most famous artists, from the likes of Kanye West to Pharrell, but it’s also iconic ape logo has been seen all around the world.
Ranked on Amazon as the #1 Japanese clothing brand, it is also number two on Ranker.com. Although some may argue that there are other brands that are currently more popular than A Bathing Ape, we believe its long-lasting history is why it should remain on this list.
Kith
Founded by Ronnie Fieg, a man known for being meticulously cautious in developing the brand, the company first focused on smaller collaborations to establish a strong foundation. Working with Coca Cola and many other interesting brands, Kith has managed to create a name for themselves as one of the leading companies in sneaker and streetwear apparel.
Obey
Created by artist Shepard Fairey in 2001, Obey is a streetwear brand that is centered on the roots of the counterculture. Serving as a way to express political views and activism, the brand has amassed a huge cult following over the two decades it’s been around. From its famous ‘Obey Giant’ logo to many others, Obey is a staple in the streetwear industry.
Final Thoughts
We cannot stress enough just how much change streetwear has gone through over the years. Changing from a style that was associated with lower-class youth to making its way to high-end fashion runways, the style continues to progress. With this shift in perspective and image, it will be exciting to see where these brands go in the future, and what new brands may pop up along the way.