First Published: 19th May 2024, written by Chloé Safilo | Last Updated on 21st May 2024 | Reviewed and Edited by Chloe Safilo
A new retro revival is upon us and has the attention of the fashion industry and trendsetters worldwide. This resurrection of urban streetwear has designers reinterpreting them into modern contexts, creating a blend of nostalgia and contemporary flair.
Bringing more urban designs to mainstream fashion has allowed anyone to be a part of this trend, but these collections often lack the quality and more creative styles that were around originally. For high-quality, one-of-a-kind streetwear garments, you need to go vintage.
Origins and Evolution
The roots of streetwear culture can be traced back through the decades but started in the 90s and had huge success in the early 2000s. Vintage streetwear brands became popular because of their association with celebrities and rappers from this time, by dropping limited edition collections they mixed fashion and music with great results.
By choosing top brands endorsed by celebrities they catapulted a number of clothing brands to huge success and started a long-term love of this street style. Vintage brands like Stüssy, Champion, and Fila emerged as pioneers, introducing iconic logos and unique silhouettes that have become key elements in defining what is classed as streetwear.
Many of the brands that started this fashion-forward trend are still around today but if you’re looking for genuine vintage vibes there are a few brands that should be at the top of your list. We asked the experts at Domno Vintage Streetwear for their top picks.
Iconic Vintage Streetwear Brands
Champion
History: Champion, known for its athletic sportswear, popularised the hoodie and pioneered the concept of athletic apparel as everyday fashion. Their classic streetwear of comfortable tee’s, hoodies and tracksuits are iconic and easily recognisably by their signature ‘C’ logo.
Popular Countries: Champion has a strong following in the United States and Europe.
Iconic Items: Champion hoodies, sweatshirts, and athletic wear.
Fila
History: Originating from Italy, Fila made waves with its sleek sportswear and tennis-inspired designs. It’s vintage-inspired sportswares still have a strong presence in the streetwear scene from footwear to clothing. A statement Fila fleece is sure to make you stand out from the crowd.
Popular Countries: Fila is popular globally, with strong markets in Europe, Asia, and the United States.
Iconic Items: Fila tracksuits, tennis sneakers, and retro sportswear.
Supreme
History: Founded in 1994 by James Jebbia in New York City, Supreme started as a small skate shop and grew into a global phenomenon known for its limited-edition drops and iconic collaborations. Their clothing is a mix of streetwear and skate culture accessories.
Popular Countries: Supreme is most popular in the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
Iconic Items: Box logo hoodies, Oversized T-shirts, skateboard decks, and collaborations with artists like Takashi Murakami and brands like Nike.
Stüssy
History: Established in 1980 by Shawn Stussy in Laguna Beach, California, Stüssy played a pivotal role in establishing the streetwear genre and blending surf culture with urban style. It recognised a gap in the market with Californian hip surfers, and was one of the first to make streetwear trendy.
Popular Countries: Initially popular in the United States and Japan, Stüssy is now a global brand.
Iconic Items: Stüssy T-shirts featuring the signature logo, bucket hats, and graphic designs.
Nike
History: Founded in 1964 by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight in Oregon, USA, Nike is one of the best known streetwear brands globally. From trainers, clothing, jackets and accessories there are not many people who have not owned a product from Nike at some time in their life. It’s hard not to feel nostalgic when you’re wearing this iconic fashion brand.
Popular Countries: Nike enjoys popularity worldwide, with strong followings in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Iconic Items: Air Jordan sneakers, Nike Air Force 1, Nike Dunk, and tracksuits.
Adidas
History: Established in 1949 by Adolf Dassler in Germany, Adidas is renowned for its athletic and lifestyle footwear and apparel. Adidas famous ‘stripes’ are easily recognisable and is one of the most favourite brands providing contemporary streetwear. It lends a lot of its popularity to being more affordable for those wanting to be a part of this street culture.
Popular Countries: Adidas is popular globally, with strong markets in Europe, North America, and Asia.
Iconic Items: Adidas Superstar, Stan Smith sneakers, tracksuits, and the Adidas Originals line.
Off-White
History: Founded in 2013 by Virgil Abloh in Milan, Italy, Off-White quickly gained recognition for its distinct streetwear aesthetic. Although not quite in the same vintage class as other brands due to being founded a lot later than the 90s, Off-White is up there as one of best streetwear brands of all time.
Abloh’s use of diagonal white stripes and collaborations with Nike have made the brand unforgettable and extremely sought after. No doubt in the future it will be known among other fashion and streetwear brands as being in a vintage class of its own.
Popular Countries: Off-White is popular worldwide, particularly in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Iconic Items: Industrial belts, graphic T-shirts, deconstructed denim, and collaborations with Nike and IKEA.
Palace
History: Founded in 2009 by Lev Tanju and Gareth Skewis in London, Palace Skateboards is known for its irreverent designs and influence in skatewear. They started their brand when they found Britain was lacking in big streetwear brands. Professional skateboarders around them were not getting sponsors and they wanted to create something that all skateboarders from professionals to the average Joe would want to wear.
Today this streetwear label has made huge waves within the fashion world and gained a massive following in the skateboarding community for its collaborations with fashion giants such as Gucci, The North Face and Calvin Klein. They stunned the world when they worked with Formula 1 and today continue to make surprising and innovative designs accessible to all.
Popular Countries: Palace is popular in the United Kingdom, United States, and Japan.
Iconic Items: Palace skate decks, tri-ferg logo hoodies, and collaborations with Adidas.
Gucci
History: Established in 1921 by Guccio Gucci in Florence, Italy, Gucci is a luxury fashion house that has incorporated streetwear elements under creative directors like Alessandro Michele. A one of the world’s most famous names, there is no denying with its iconic ‘GG’ logo and red and green stripes Gucci is a luxury clothing line that oozes with exclusivity.
Those with a passion for vintage will undoubtedly want an item of Gucci luxury streetwear in their collection although you’re unlikely to find any in your local thrift shop. Their legendary 70’s style tracksuits, puffa jackets, polo shirts and shorts have propelled the brand into essential streetwear clothing. Today they continue to make innovate clothing and collaborate with the likes of Addias and The North Face.
Popular Countries: Gucci is popular globally, with strong markets in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Iconic Items: GG logo on clothing and accessories, bold patterns, chunky sneakers, and tracksuits.
Kangol
History: Kangol Hats are iconic in name and looks. It officially become a company in 1938 when war veteran Jaqcues Spreiregen opened a factory importing Basque Berets from France. It was the main supplier of berets to the British army in World War Two but gained popularity in the 60’s when new designers came on board.
Kangol berets where then famously photographed on the Beetles and later by well known figures such as the late Princess Diana. This got the attention of America and was then adopted as the hat of choice by many rappers and hip hop figures such as LL Cool J.
Popular countries: Europe, America and Asia.
Iconic Items: The kangol beret and bucket hat. Its kangaroo logo is easily recognisable.
Reebok
History: Reebok was initially founded in 1895 by J.W.Foster in Bolton England. Foster created the first spiked leather shoes suitable for athletes and the company was eventually taken over in 1958 by his sons who renamed it ‘Reebok’. It continued to provide shoes for athletes until the 80’s when all things aerobic took over the world and it was acquired by American Paul Fireman who took the company to further success and released the ‘Reebok classic’ . With competition such as Nike and Adidas, Reebok has remained popular on and off the running track and this brand is still one of the best know streetwear shoes of all time.
Popular Countries: World wide popularity particularly from America, Europe and Asia.
Iconic Items: Reebok Classics, the S.Carter and Club classic 85 and the Aztrek.
There are other’s of course, this is not an exhaustive list. Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren and just two other high-end examples that have sought after iconic clothing items, with the latter’s Polo range some of the best vintage pieces from the 90’s. Carhartt workwear too, remains a popular brand in the US.
The brand’s on this list are only a selection of whats out there but they have left an unforgettable mark on streetwear enthusiasts. By bringing artists and designers together they have reshaped the broader fashion landscape for many generations to come. They continue to drive trends and inspire creativity within the world of urban fashion and your local high street store.
Legacy and Impact
The legacy of vintage streetwear brands extends beyond their initial popularity, influencing contemporary fashion trends and inspiring a new generation of designers. Their impact is evident in the ongoing fusion of athletic and casual wear, as well as the emphasis on comfort and style in modern fashion.
Nostalgia in Fashion
Nostalgia plays a significant role in driving the popularity of retro streetwear brands, especially among younger generations. Today, fashion enthusiasts seek to embrace vintage styles and incorporate them into their wardrobes, drawn to the iconic logo’s, graphic tees, tracksuits and collabs with their favourite celebrities or music artists.
The streetwear community is a subculture that captures the essence of freedom, design and togetherness that many want to be a part of. This trend reflects a desire for authenticity and individuality in a fashion landscape that is dominated by mass production and fast fashion.
Conclusion
Vintage streetwear brands hold a special place in the hearts of many, offering a unique blend of history and trends that will never go out of style. It allows individuals to connect with their personal style, and mix vintage with modern to create their own unique look. Vintage streetwear has become a fashion class of its own that modern streetwear will never be able to replicate. With more and more people turning to vintage clothing its safe to say the trend will be here for many years to come.
