Tag: fashion

The Entanglement Between Fashion and Commerce

Anyone who is socially aware knows how much fashion and commerce depend on each other in countless aspects. Economic regards are sure to draw tons of attention. Fashion is no stranger to having a complicated relationship with business.

Streetwear and luxury fashion have an even more complicated relationship with commerce than other fashion subcultures. Both even have “toxic” relationships with commerce and consumerism (eerily similar to that couple you know who keeps getting back together after multiple breakups). They can’t seem to stay away from each other even if the relationship may not be mutually beneficial to both parties.

Luxury Fashion and Commerce

Designer and luxury fashion bring along numerous unexplained complexities. Consumers everywhere wait in lines without a problem. Customers often express their “needs” which are typically highly emphasized and over-exaggerated wants. Retail clothing and fashion stores especially in the luxury realm noticeably function differently compared to other retail sectors.

Luxury fashion and shopping go hand in hand. Many customers flaunt their designer-branded bags walking out of the store or around the mall in an attempt to display a higher social status. Most people don’t care about the orange shopping bags or what’s in them. However, even luxury stores are witnessing a decline of in-person shopping as of recently.

In certain boutiques, sales associates may be directly paired to individual customers. The feeling of being followed and/or watched when trying to shop is definitely not an enjoyable experience. Luxury brands are quickly losing the interest of loyal customers. The highest-spending customers are rarely subjected to waiting in line or being followed by a standoffish sales associate. The highest spenders get exclusive access and treatment that keeps them coming back for more.

Fashion and Commerce

Does Luxury Fashion Create Enjoyable Shopping Experiences?

Regulars have noticed a shift in the luxury fashion shopping world. The article, “How Luxury Fashion Killed the Joy of Shopping” by Eugene Rabkin highlights how luxury fashion is rapidly losing once loyal customers. The pandemic has undoubtedly changed the dynamics of in-person shopping especially within stores with regular high foot traffic.

Rabkin goes on to explain how lines seem to constantly go out the door of luxury boutiques in New York. Some people may not worry about waiting to eventually purchase a designer piece, but many do not want to spend their valuable time in line. Countless stores make potential customers wait in line even if the store is not busy at the time. Through “crowd control,” a false sense exclusivity and luxury is often portrayed.

Eugene Rabkin’s article on luxury shopping provides an intriguing outlook for how the relationship between luxury retailers and customers will develop as time goes on. Read more of Rabkin’s work here.

Sincere Sneaker Shopping

Anyone who keeps up with the Complex’s ‘Sneaker Shopping’ knows how glamorous the simple act of buying new sneakers is portrayed on a massive and glorified scale. Most people don’t make a huge deal out of purchasing a new pair of kicks. More often than not, sneakers are ordered online and delivered in person- the wait for the shoes to arrive is highly anticipated. Sneaker shopping in person has been slowly dying down over the past few years.

Many sought-after sneakers are not available for purchase in retail stores around the United States. Resell and secondhand shops typically carry in-demand shoes but with hefty price tags. Consumers don’t want to overpay just for the convenience or experience; many shoppers opt to wait to buy a pair of sneakers for much cheaper online than in-store.

Many sought-after sneakers are not available for purchase in retail stores around the United States. Resell and secondhand shops typically carry in-demand shoes but with hefty price tags. Consumers don’t want to overpay just for the convenience or experience; many shoppers opt to wait to buy a pair of sneakers for much cheaper online than in-store.

Sneaker shopping is rarely as glamorous as the Complex episodes with Joe La Puma. Most of the time, it is a simple transaction. Other times, employees do not provide the needed assistance they are required to do. Some sneaker boutiques have problems with arrogant and standoffish employees- not too far from the issues associated with luxury boutiques.

The world of sneakers seems to be forever growing. People who do not keep up with sneaker releases may find themselves overwhelmed in a store with hundreds of pairs. Sneaker stores seem to pop up on every corner. Sneaker shopping is more widespread than ever, but is not ideal for most customers.

The Future of Fashion and Commerce

Fashion and commerce bring many complex issues to light. What happened to the days of uninterrupted shopping? When will retail stores understand the warranted concerns of customers?

The future of the complicated relationship between fashion and commerce does not look like it will become any less elaborate anytime soon. Loyal customers and potential customers usually want to be cordial with sales associates. When employees do not show exceptional customer service, the storefronts are typically losing out on potential sales by the minute or even second.

Shopping for clothing may shift to a higher online presence if major corporations don’t start listening to their most loyal customers. Luxury boutiques and sneaker boutiques need to bring in more sales associates who are truly passionate about the industry rather than money hungry employees who use cold tactics to score their next win.

Is Streetwear Still in Style?

Streetwear has been around for over thirty decades now. Although the current state of streetwear differs greatly compared to its humble beginnings, the culture generally remains the same. Individuals consider streetwear in style because of its freedom of expression. Most people don’t want to feel confined, especially with the clothing they wear day in and day out. However, streetwear has noticeably slowed down in terms of consumption in the recent past.

More niches in streetwear pop up every year. Certain aspects are borrowed and directly influenced from other subcultures. Even some of the largest streetwear brands must make major shifts to keep up with the ever-changing state of fashion.

Streetwear Origins

It only makes sense to start a narrative in chronological order. Streetwear as it as known today originated in the late 1970s/early 80s. The subculture took original inspiration from New York hip-hop culture, surf/skate and graffiti cultures in Los Angeles, as well as influence from Japanese street fashion. By the early 90s, streetwear became a global phenomenon. Young individuals all over the world looked to dress more comfortably and casually; people started to “dress up” t-shirts and sweatshirts that were once meant only for gym/athletic purposes.

Punk, new wave, heavy metal, and sportswear and workwear influenced the early beginnings of streetwear as well. Streetwear has remained in style because of its diverse background; countless people are able to find something they like in some aspect of streetwear.

Supreme and Bape are some of the most noticeable and well-known streetwear brands. Although they were not first in the industry, both major labels have paved the way for countless brands.

Stüssy is widely known as one of the most influential streetwear brands of all time. Shawn Stussy manufactured surfboards in California in the 1980s. He inscribed the boards with his signature and later began to sell clothing with the soon-to-be iconic logo. Stussy and Frank Sinatra Jr. (not related to the singer) partnered in 1984 to start selling the apparel. Since then, the streetwear brand has reached virtually every corner of the world and became a well-known global brand.

Is Streetwear Still in Style?

Other streetwear brands started off similar to the likes of Stüssy. The Hundreds is another label that started off with two individuals with a strong passion for streetwear. Bobby Kim and Ben Shenassafar, two law school classmates, founded The Hundreds in Los Angeles in 2003. Numerous streetwear labels have come from humble beginnings before amassing a considerable following.

New York and Los Angeles are undeniably hotbeds for streetwear labels. The West and East Coast both influence streetwear in dramatically different ways; they bring key complementing aspects to keep streetwear in style for multiple decades.

Considerable Streetwear Shifts

Like any subculture, streetwear is no stranger to key changes and shifts. Over numerous decades there are sure to be countless periods of evolving states and times.

Enthusiasts and casuals consider streetwear in style because of its adaptive culture. One year may be full of skinny jeans while the next brings flared and wide-leg pants. Nobody will ever know which trend sticks around for the long run.

One considerable shift in streetwear is the push towards more vintage and “aged” looking pieces. Countless streetwear enthusiasts used to prefer fresh, out-of-the-box looks (many still do) and now many have swayed towards the distressed and vintage trend.

Another noticeable trend in streetwear is the shift away from jeans. Obviously jeans of countless styles will always be in demand in the fashion world. However, streetwear has witnessed a visible move towards pants outside of denim. Cargo pants, track pants, and flared pants are all in right now. They can even be dressed up in certain cases and look as good, if not better than jeans.

Fashion constantly undergoes a multitude of shifts and changes over the years. Subcultures change as new trends and subcultures intervene with one another. Streetwear and vintage have heavily influenced each other which directly explains why the “aged” look has been hot in the recent past.

Streetwear will never be a stranger to adaptation and innovation. Expect the unexpected in any realm of fashion.

Is Streetwear in Style Forever?

At the end of the day, streetwear will be most popular amongst younger crowds. The same population often influences trends coming and going.

Subcultures in any realm tend to peak and then plateau before becoming mainstream. One can argue that streetwear is quickly becoming mainstream, if it hasn’t already. After a subculture makes its way to the masses, brands usually start shying away from their true identities in order to appeal to a larger crowd. The most successful streetwear brands are those that find a middle ground between appealing to a considerable following while not alienating the hardcore enthusiasts.

Who knows if streetwear will be as in demand in only five or ten years from now. Only time will tell the fate of fashion and streetwear as a whole. Nothing lasts forever, but it feels like the influence of streetwear will continue for multiple decades to come.