Exclusive:20 Reasons Why Streetwear Is Still Relevant in 2016

Trends change with time. People are growing into a more "sophisticated" look. The styles associated with menswear have steadily grown in popularity. Even streetwear mainstays like Bape have been crossing over.But if you're asking if that means streetwear has fallen off, then you must be crazy. In fact, every year it's growing and evolving.

There are so many things that make streetwear one of the greatest cultural phenomenons to grace this earth, including the plethora of iconic brands. Here's a reminder why streetwear is king. Take a look into the past, present, and the future with these 20 Reasons Streetwear Is Still Relevant.

1)It's More Accessible Than Ever

The Internet has opened doors for many streetwear brands such as off-white , stussy , palace and many others.That's because the Internet is more accessible to anyone around the planet,Thanks, Internet! And thanks Bape webshop!

2)It Will Always Have The "Cool Guy" Factor

Your brand could be on the way out the door, but if someone well-respected and considered a fashion icon  is seen rocking one of your pieces, the "cool guy" factor takes place and relevancy isn't the issue anymore, it's "can I produce enough pieces??" Look at what A$AP did for dior-hommes. 

3)The OG's Are Expanding

The original streetwear heads are expanding into things that get their brand more coverage, and grows the industry.Take the The hundreds for instance.

 4)It's Everywhere

Key chains,iPhone cases, boxing gloves, shot glasses, even Alarm clocks!.  We can't even guess what someone will come out with next, but it will have to be out there in order to be original because streetwear labels are popping up on everything.

5)It's Synonymous With Hip Hop

When a rapper cosigns a clothing item, it's like the King Midas gold touch. High fashion couture is always in the next rap verse, but we still constantly see rappers rocking the latest hot streetwear pieces. You can't talk about the streets and NOT rock shit FROM the streets, ya heard?

6)Vintage Streetwear Is Cooler

Do you know what an original box logo T-shirt goes for? Probably not because they're impossible to find. How about an all-over print Ice Cream shirt or BBC hoody? vintage streetwear is cooler because those pieces are classics, and if you're lucky enough to own a piece of history, you will be 1000x cooler than the kids waiting in line every week for a new drop. 

7)It's Not Clearly Defined

Streetwear is not clearly defined by any standard. It's because of its versatility and its ability to transcend labels and descriptions people try to give it. The only way you will ever know if something is streetwear or not is if it is. Otherwise it's not. Whoa. Minds blown!

8)People Love Collabs

As long as brands like Supreme, Bape, Puma,Palace,adidas etc  keep collaborating with each other, people will keep buying streetwear.  New brands are great, but it's the icons that really keep things moving. These are the brands that we will always want to own, and a collab between any two (or sometimes three) multiplies the hype times infinity.

9)It's Self-Aware

Streetwear polices pop culture (and itself) with parody. Like FUCT riffing on the JAWS poster, Supreme's take on The New Yorker mascot Eustace Tilley, and the numerous parodies of the Polo Bear (most notably by Acapulco Gold and Taz Arnold), streetwear is often like an inside joke for people that get it. And it's actually funny. And if you do "get it," you will always want more.

10)Brands Keep Evolving

DQM started as a T-shirt and sneakers shop. Today they are dropping cut & sew collections with pieces that wouldn't stand out at J.Crew. This evolution factor is what keeps people interested throughout the years. While they still selling plenty of hoodies and baseball tees, the move into button downs and safari jackets opens the brand up to a wider audience without alienating the OGs.

11)More Good Brands Keep Popping Up

How can streetwear drop out of the limelight with brands like blackpyramid popping up year after year? Just when it seems like the industry can't contain another new brand, a new label arrives for your discovery. 

12)That Rebellious "Fuck You" Attitude

Like hip-hop, streetwear is as much an attitude as it is an aesthetic. Streetwear is part of counter-culture. And we like it that way. Fuck you if you think otherwise!

13)It's Been Around Longer Than Most "Trends"

Stussy in 1980. Supreme in 1994. Some of these brands have been around since before you were born. And people still rock them. While there are some streetwear brands that made the expansion into malls and ended up becoming diluted versions of themselves, OG's like stussy continue to maintain a strong but limited retail presence, put out relevant, desirable gear, and still have the integrity they started with.

14)Brand Loyalty Is Still Alive

While some people grow out of streetwear as they age, many continue with the brand closest to their heart. It isn't about the clothes at the point, it's a way of life. Streetwear tends to have that kind of hold on people.Brand loyalty is a huge reason streetwear isn't just relevant, it's a mainstay.

15)It's Easy To Get Into

Anyone (and we mean anyone) can start a streetwear brand. As long as you have a few resources, screen printer and the internet, you're in the game. While most don't succeed, some people catch fire, get a big break, and keep the streetwear dream alive. 

16)There Are Fakes Galore

Good or bad, there are counterfeits streetwear pieces out right now. More than ever. And that is a big reason why streetwear is still relevant. Yeezy sneakers and Off-white tees are still being horribly forfeited, then it means people are still buying them because the real pieces are either too hard to get or too expensive. Either way, keeps the business popping.

17)It's Synonymous With Skateboarding

Skateboarding is synonymous with streetwear and skateboarding is cool as f*ck.Period!

18)Strong Owners Sticking To Their Craft

Names like Shawn Stussy and Nigo are synonymous with style, not just streetwear. With those names at the forefront of the scene for decades, fans have grown to not only like streetwear for the style, but they also have developed a deep respect for the brand heads. 

19)Kids Just Want To Be Down

Kids aren't lining up around the block a week before a release for nothing.There is something about a Supreme Box Logo T-shirt that makes them so hyped they'll sleep on the sidewalk for days!!( don't get surprised) 

20)Girls look great in it 

Even though girls make anything look better,some girls make streetwear so appealing.There's something about a girl in a 10 deep Tank top and shorts