Street style is defined as fashion that originates from alternative areas rather than the mainstream fashion world, often developing from urban areas and youth culture. Over time street style has taken on new form and is now more prevalent in our culture than ever before. So, how did street style begin to gain recognition, and how has it changed in today's society?
Well, street style has been around forever, obviously; however, it did not begin to impact the fashion world until the close of the second World War. The end of rationing beckoned in an era of luxury and opulence forefronted by icons like Christian Dior and Pierre Balmain. A surplus of money rendered people able to purchase these high fashion garments. During this time, "street style" icons consisted of looks composed of solely one high fashion brand. The majority of women donned the "new look"; synthesized by Christian Dior, focused on a long circle skirt and a tailored jacket with broad shoulders and a tapered waist. This hourglass shape utilized the plethora of fabric that was a scarcity during the war.
Following the chaos the war, society regained structure in the form of suburbia and the rapid growth of mass culture. An urge to deviate from the norm resulted in the further development of grassroots type fashion that originated in urban cities. "Tribes" began to form based on various styles such as bikers, beats, hippies, punks, goths, ravers. These groups ironically gave people solidarity in their lust to be different.
With the characteristic free spirited nature of the 70s and 80s, people began to experiment more with their style. Social change resulted in more diversity in fashion because dressing in unique styles became the norm whereas before most women dressed in identical trends. Free flowing silhouettes became popular, and the line
between mens and womenswear became further blurred as high waisted pants and overalls became universal style pieces. Thus, high fashion trends followed this trend of not being trendy by adopting the 70s and 80s themes of individuality within various styles. The concept of comfort and functionality became very popular, as personified by Diane Von Fürstenburg and her iconic jersey Wrap Dress. The practical yet flattering nature of the piece rendered it an icon that has endured for decades since its debut in the 1970s. Additionally, designers like Vivienne Westwood embodied edgier aesthetics, catering more towards the punk style. Her brand Worlds End was very popular in the 1980s in that it incorporated the fashion of British youth in addition to incorporating vibes of dissent and controversial politics. This melting pot of trends and styles of the 70s and 80s is reflected in the diversity of fashion we see today.
So, you may be thinking, how did these alternative fashion trends garner the attention of high fashion designers? One answer: street style photographers. Street style photographers publicized the styles of the common man. No longer was street style wholly composed of high fashion, rather it was a conglomeration of clothes from basic mainstream stores, thrift shops, and DIY projects. This diverse range of clothes resulted in designers taking inspiration and incorporating the trends from the streets into their coveted collections. The exemplar of street photography, Bill Cunningham, began his career in the late 70s/early 80s and embodied the styles of the era which was published in the New York Times , thus resulting in the increased circulation of popular trends. The influence of street style on high fashion furthered when Terry Jones left his coveted role as the art director for British Vogue in favor of founding his own magazine, i-D. i-D exemplifies typical street style photography with its "straight up" portrait style.
Now, street style has usurped the forefront of the fashion industry. The movement of the online style blogs, led by Scott Schuman and the Sartorialist, has enamored high fashion designers and has had a massive influence on trends present in mainstream style. The rise of social media has given people easier access to style inspiration, thus catalyzing the advent of social media becoming a way to advertise brands. Bloggers with massive followings are now invited to attend esteemed fashion shows in order to implement their unique style with the latest collections.
The perfectly poised Dior ensembles of the 50s have translated into mixing second hand pieces with high fashion. Models posing on the streets of postwar Paris has evolved into bloggers posting pictures of themselves in modern metorpolises while dawning their individual, eclectic style. With the world becoming smaller and smaller, social media provides an outlet for people to share their individuality and ability to style outfits. In a way, social media is becoming modern day fashion newspapers and magazines. It is so easily accessible to the masses, and it provides inspiration on the latest trends with one swipe across a phone screen. Social media has dictated trends for the past few years and will continue to do so due to its infinitely dynamic nature. Therefore, from the time of the birth of today's iconic fashion houses to today, street style has played a crucial role in delineating trends for both high fashion and mainstream society.
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Photo: Photos: Truly Vintage Street Style." Harper's BAZAAR. N.p., 04 Aug. 2015. Web. 11 Aug. 2016.