It All About The Jeans

If there is one garment that is truly universal, then it is undoubtedly the humble jeans. Denim itself evolved from humble beginnings, with coal miners often wearing them at work, because the material was tough and did not tear easily. Moreover it could be washed time and again, without the color fading or the material itself coming apart. Jeans slowly made their way into retail shops and truly hit the mark, after celebrities made on screen appearances wearing them.

For a long time, jeans were associated with rebels and especially the youth. A guy in a pair of denims and a leather jacket, was thought to be the epitome of cool. Today jeans have come a long way with comfortable pairs being made even for infants. Plenty of designers and labels have all jumped in, to tap the potential that this huge market offers. After all, nothing spells comfort better than a pair of jeans with a t-shirt to match. Jeans are looked as a unisex garment which can be dressed up or dressed down depending on the occasion. A pair of jeans is no longer about just the color- it’s also about the style, fit, wash, rise, length, cut and the label.

One of the best selling trends doing the rounds these days is the focus on the vintage look. To achieve the vintage look, a decent pair of jeans may actually go through a process of being ripped and torn at strategic places. Vintage jeans on the whole are meant to look like the pair of denim itself is past its prime and is not looked after properly.

Faded jeans for one are very popular as they have an old feel about them, and have been washed that way to achieve the intended look. When worn, the jeans themselves stand out. Distressed or destroyed jeans on the other hand, look as if the denim has been to hell and back, and are usually accompanied by holes, rips, tears and frayed hems as well. Sometimes the threads of the jeans may hang out in a ragged manner, but that is supposed to enhance the overall look.

 Many denim fans may actually choose not to purchase such jeans for themselves, and instead prefer to hang on to their favorite pair of jeans for years to come. Eventually, the jeans will take on a natural vintage look on their own. Fashionistas on the other hand may think otherwise.

 The more distressed the jeans, the higher its fashion quotient. To a large extent we have celebrities who made wearing torn jeans fashionable, to thank for. Jeans with a whisker wash are also quite trendy to be seen in and can make the person look very fashionable. Usually the jeans will have a few cat like scratch marks or whisker marks on the leg or just below the front pockets on the thigh. This kind of style is very popular among women.

Probably no other garment has been experimented upon so much as the humble denim. No matter what the wash, cut or label, it is one garment that sits differently on everybody.

Footwear - Urban Wear

A classic urban wear or streetwear look is not just about the clothes- it’s about the whole ensemble from the cap worn right down to the footwear. In the early eighties, many hip hop artists started to promote a new trend in style. They teamed up a t-shirt or a track suit along with a jacket and for the final touch, wore sneakers with oversized laces or ‘ phat’ laces as they were fashionably called.

The trend was a huge success and hit a chord with many youngsters who were looking for a new fashion statement to set them apart. Since hip hop traditionally grew on the streets, sneakers were the ideal footwear for performing freestyle hip hop and other street dance forms.



Today, there are many brands which have branched out into designing streetwear shoes for youngsters. Sneakers are a hot favorite and are available in many designs and colors for both boys and girls. Names like Nike, Adidas and Reebok which were associated with manufacturing sports shoes for many years, were actually among the first to latch on to the streetwear shoe trend. Their designs which are very popular even today were a huge leap in style and a class apart from their usual plain white sneakers which were associated with sports.

Artists and designers were actually encouraged to get creative and use colors that were not common in footwear like gold, purple or silver. The idea was to make urban wear footwear unique and stylish on its own to the extent that it could be worn with other fashion styles and still add a clear hip hop touch to the wearer.

In addition to the most popular sports brands, there are plenty of other urban wear footwear brands which carry their own distinctive styles. In fact many of them not only sell footwear but are also known for their range of apparels and accessories. Etnies is one such brand which has a very colorful range of sneakers, guaranteed to blend in well with whatever you’re wearing. Two tone color patterns, tweed, graffiti prints and even loud colors such as blood red or gold are some of their popular designs. They have more than twenty designer ranges with at least five color options each. They even let customers design their own unique sneakers.

Besides footwear, the brand also sells apparels for boys, girls and kids. DC is another popular brand with a footwear collection for men, women, boys and kids which are another favorite. Footwear is available in four options- shoes, sandals, LX and water resistant footwear. The men’s collection comprises of footwear which are mostly in sober shades like black, brown and white whereas footwear for women is much more vibrant.

 Shades like blue, pink and patterns like tweed are also common. DC also has an interesting apparel and accessory range for both men and women. If you are unsure about which brand to buy, then check out websites like DrJays, Karmaloop and UrbanIndustry which offer a wider selection and feature top selling urban wear footwear brands.

Graffitti effect on Urban Wear

It’s interesting to note that the concept of graffiti itself began from as early as the Neanderthal man. Take the paintings and premature drawings often etched out on cave walls as an example. Today however the way we understand graffiti has changed. It still remains a very strong medium of expression, but is often aligned with anti-social elements or rebellious teenagers.

Drawings or expressions with spray cans can be commonly seen in public areas such as the subway or playgrounds. Hip hop was the first movement to openly embrace graffiti as a sister expression in creativity. The earliest graffiti designs that featured on t-shirts usually bore the name of the person wearing it or of a hip hop artist. Very slowly, graffiti gained a firmer ground when urban wear itself began to sweep the nation. It was the perfect creative medium that went hand in hand with streetwear. After all, streetwear itself was worn as a sign of defiance and to stand out, whereas graffiti carried such messages loud and clear.

Even today, there’s a clear uniqueness about graffiti that makes the apparel stand out. It’s a very popular design on other accessories such as hoodies, beanie caps, and especially skateboards. Many commercial urban wear names have capitalised on a trend that seems to be getting stronger with every passing generation. Zoo York is one such brand which unabashedly draws its inspiration from New York City’s energy and life. This brand which began to create waves in the early seventies, began with graffiti inspired skateboards. By the eighties, the very word Zoo York meant graffiti artists, skateboarders and other creative people. The brand helped to popularize skateboarding and graffiti as a means of expression.

 The brand was officially launched in 1993 and began with a line of skateboards and t-shirts which slowly grew into a more extensive range designed to suit all tastes. Even today this Manhattan based brand draws its main influences from the streets, hip hop, graffiti and even has a motely mix of the best NYC artist and musician talent, who are fondly called the Zoo Crew.

Obey is another popular brand which began by distributing stencils and allowed users to download Obey stickers free on the Internet. They moved on to posters and eventually to t-shirts in 2001 which carried unique images and stencilled drawings. Today, the brand still sells posters now and then, but Obey Clothing focuses more on apparel that is a blend of fashion and class. They have a wide range of accessories and clothes for men and women, and are renowned for their glow in the dark t-shirts. Methods NYC brings graffiti wear to people directly inspired from original graffiti drawings on walls. This brand often sponsors events related to graffiti artists and hip hop with part of the proceeds going to the artists whose designs are sold. They feature artists from America as well as Europe.

Graffiti helps to keep the essence of streetwear alive. As artists get together to create more never seen before designs, graffiti on clothes will always be around.

Skateboarding Wear

Skateboarding as a sport has had a major influence on Urban wear. The cool hoodies, funky t-shirts, baggy jeans and colourful sneakers that skateboarders were often spotted in, slowly made their way into streetwear as well. One could say that fashion has had a huge impact on the sport itself. Youngsters love to show off their skateboards which are available today in different sizes, colors and designs. Many brands have unique designer skateboards which are full of attitude and

pack a punch. Whether you are a nature lover or an animal lover, prefer a design that’s menacing or cool, the best skateboard brands have something for everyone. Today, a skateboard is not just about the quality anymore. One glance at a person’s skateboard tells you all you need to know about the owner’s cool quotient and style.

Zero is a popular skateboard brand which relays a strong image, complete with splashes of blood and skulls that some may find gory. Designs that are funky, have a Gothic undertone and which are hard to ignore are a big favourite with youngsters. Some of their bestselling designs include an open mouth, a single with paint dripping, patterns of skulls and the single word ‘zero’ in a rainbow of colors. Just the right feel for those who dare to scare with their tactics. For those who want a skateboard that’s colourful yet subtle, Habitat is a great brand with a wide variety of choices. This brand may not be that famous, but they have graphics that are artistic in nature and pleasant to see.

They even have special styles like the Skylite with corrugated bottom ply decks and which is lighter as well. The bright graphics and designs in earthy colors are perfect for fun in the sun. Element skateboards are noted for their high quality which stands apart. Not only is this a company that has a green conscience but their skateboards are highly affordable as well. In fact they have a line of Helium skate decks with air chambers inside them to make them stiff yet light. Their tongue in cheek graphics, colourful graffiti designs and great choice of colors are eye catching. Overall, one may find their designs simple, but it’s a great choice for a skateboarder all the same. If you love cartoon characters and prefer a cheeky skateboard that doesn’t compromise on quality but is clean fun all the same; then go for Toy Machine. They have 7 ply skateboard decks, which aren’t exactly high on technology when compared to other brands but they are well made. Their graphics usually feature a cartoon character and are colourful to see as well. This brand is great for beginners who want something simple and easy to use.

Professional may prefer to use skateboards from Birdhouse, which uses the Black 6 technology. This feature is supposed to help a skateboarder with flicks in the air. Graphics are usually in red, black and white colors. With such great brands to choose from, there’s a skateboard to suit all preferences.