Is Preppy Back?

The word ‘ preppie’ conjures up images of fashionable students who pay a lot of attention to the way they look, dress and behave in general society. The term itself originated somewhere in the early fifties, and was meant to refer to students who had distinct mannerisms and who were in many ways easily distinguishable from the rest of the crowd.

Besides being popular and the most envied, they were easily the best dressed and perhaps snobbish as well. Since there were many similarities in the way preppies would dress such as in clean cut and classy ensembles; it wasn’t long before the ‘preppie look’ became a fashion trend in itself. Many brands such as Ralph Lauren, Lacoste and J Press are a few of the well known stores which carry styles that are associated with preppies.

Exactly what is the definition of preppie style? Although there is no hard and fast definition as such, it generally refers to clothes that can stand the test of time, which are non fussy in appearance and which have an air of expensive elegance. The clean, tidy look of a preppie also comes from wearing sober colors which match and make the wearer look neat. Wool, cashmere and expensive fabrics in sober shades like navy blue, light blue, white or patterns such as plaid, stripes, paisley and floral are old time favorites. The preppie clean look is not merely meant for class, and can be worn anywhere, no matter what the occasion. Guys usually prefer polo shirts, long sleeved shirts, knitted vests or sweaters in traditional colors for a casual look. Chinos, Bermuda shorts or khaki pants are great for a game or a party.

 For a more formal look, a shirt can be teemed up with a jacket or a blazer in a dark shade such as navy blue. For the girls, the trick is to wear conventional clothing in different patterns or summery shades for a perky look. A line skirts or skirts with a small flare in khaki, plaid, linen or with a light pattern are ideal for wearing all year round. They can be worn with simple shirts or blouses and a scarf or a bright colored stole will add the right touch of color. Dresses with patterns of flowers, paisley designs or in light shades, are also an accepted preppie look.

The right accessories can help accentuate the desired look and there are a few accessories that both men and women can wear with their ensemble. Hats, ties, suspenders, pith helmets and winter hats are a must have for men, whereas jewelry should be limited to cufflinks, signet rings, studs and watches. Belts, handbags, head bands, straw hats and scarves are the perfect accessories for women. Jewelry is usually limited to a strand of pearls, small studs as well as thin chains and bracelets. The footwear is also carefully coordinated with whatever the person wears such as slippers with a dress or flip flops for a casual look.

Tie Dye is In

Although the hippie era is usually spoken about as the era of free love, drugs and rock n roll; it was also a time when fashion began to break away from the usual norms. A rather unusual style of creating patterns called the tie and dye method, became popular. Designs which are usually abstract or nature inspired were made by folding the material such as a dress or a t-shirt and then binding it tightly with bands to hold the material in place.

Different colored dyes depending on the intended look and style are then applied, to various sections of the material. The material is later rinsed and in some cases, left in a freezer overnight so that the dye does not run out when the material is washed next. These kinds of designs make the fabric appear very colorful and bright.

It is argued that tie and dye as a creative artistic process itself is actually quite old. Various materials which had tie and dye designs, dating back to 500-800 AD, showed patterns of small circles and lines in colors ¬like red, yellow and blue. Tie dye techniques were also in use in West Africa, where the clothing itself was richly embroidered in traditional designs before undergoing the tie and dye process.

Similarly, Indonesia and India too had their own tie and dye techniques as well as various words for the unique process. There is no end to one’s imagination as well as the different possibilities, when it comes to the tie and dye process. However, some patterns such as the spiral which is usually done in two colors, the V shape and random circles are quite popular.

The tie and dye design is quite unisex in nature and has a casual yet chic appeal when paired with jeans or with cargoes. It makes the wearer appear quite colorful too, as these designs are usually done in bright colors and black is rarely used.


Tie and dye is a relatively simple technique that can even be done safely at home, if you are keen on having a unique garment. Surprisingly, after a long hiatus, the tie and dye trend featured on the runaway in 2009 where design houses like Balmain showcased such garments with ripped bleach washed jeans and other trousers which were quite commonplace in the late seventies and early eighties. The tie and dye technique is no longer used on just fabric- it is also used on bags, shoes, scarves and even jewelry. This year too, when the Spring 2010 collection was unveiled, the tie and dye trend just could not be overlooked. The focus remained on creating fashion that was affordable and which incorporated the colors normally associated with spring. The impression given was that tie and dye designs were light, refreshing and flirty to wear. It doesn’t matter if you feel this technique is just not your thing. Something as small as a tie and dye scarf or a bag alone can jazz up the look of your ensemble.

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.

Ragewear Hoodies Urban Wear Latest Fashion

Today, when you see a hoodie on display at a shop window with graffiti prints or witty one liners on it, it’s difficult to imagine that this piece of streetwear actually dates back to the 1930’s. In the Middle Ages, Catholic monks often wore long cowls with hoods in addition to their regular garments to set them apart from other people, much like the monk in the movie Robin Hood. With regard to hoodies being used by regular people, the practice began when labourers wore them as a measure to beat the cold in frozen warehouses.

The hoodie actually became popular only by the mid seventies, and was more commonly used by thieves and criminals because of the anonymity that the hood offered. The image has more or less stuck. Even today in fact, youngsters wearing hoodies are more often seen as trouble makers or rebels than people looking to add a dash of style to their clothing.

 The world of fashion took to this new clothing and soon designers like Norma Kamali and other well known designers attempted to play around with this piece of clothing by adding a very stylish touch to it. Movies like Rocky and other action packed flicks which revolved around wrestling; cage fighting and boxing spearheaded the popularity of hoodie as a garment for the youth. Within no time, it became a staple must have in the hip hop world, was seen on many athletes at sporting events and even entered campus life across America.

Hoodies today are available everywhere and sold by many brands in different shapes, colors, styles and patterns. RAGEWEAR has all the essentials that a streetwear fan looks for. Their range of t-shirts available as separate collections for both men and women are simply out of this world. Grunge prints, images of Fydo and other eye catching designs are a few of their hallmarks. If you like to keep it simple, then pick up one of their multi colored t-shirts with just the word RAGE on them. It’s an effective way to say a lot in just one word. Jazz up your attire with one of the RAGEWEAR caps available in three shades guaranteed to amp up your cool quotient. Ladies will adore the eye popping colored t-shirts in six bright summer shades with just the word RAGE written across the front.

It’s perfect to wear to classes and sexy enough for your Saturday date too. RAGEWEAR hoodies are a big hit with youngsters all across America because of their cool appeal with a distinctive hip hop street touch. These hoodies are available as both zipped and unzipped and have a unique style. The images and prints themselves are slightly faded to give an old look to the hoodies and carry the right mix of grunge and color. The prints either cover the whole back or are small enough to still get you noticed.

Log on to http://ragewear-clothing.com/ to buy the best in urban wear hoodie.

UK Graffitti impact on Steetwear

The dictionary describes graffiti as a ' kind of rude decoration that is usually found on walls and other surfaces'. Although there is a strong anti social element associated with graffiti itself, it has found a steady place in clothing as an unusual work of art. Just as no two painters will ever paint alike, no two graffiti artists create the same artwork either. With regard to streetwear , graffiti has earned a place in history itself because of the strong manner in which it can convey a thought or message. Just as in America, graffiti in urban wear is very popular among youngsters in the UK as well. There are many brands which directly draw their inspiration from graffiti on the streets.

Abuze London is one one such brand that was born at a time when the Britihs police were doing their best to stop graffiti artists from displaying their work in public places. However, that didnt stop the artists from using the tubes, train lines, and empty walls as a canvas for their thoughts. They were successful in reaching a wider audience as well. From there, the brand Abuze LDN with the tag line' An extension of oneself' took form. The brand takes pride in having its feet frimly rooted in British culture and speaking out when needed. The brand also places importance on self- expression, attitude, individuality and even collaborates with different artists to create collections that are unique and have a razor sharp identity. Abuze has tshirts, jackets, knits and hoodies which have loud graphics, witty one liners, prints and other graffiti designs on them. In fact, they have even used underground maps and travel cards of London and then laminated them onto tshirts.

Urban Venom is another popular brand, which has different airbrush and graffiti designs on both tshirts and trainers. Designs on trainers include airbrush designs of Michael Jackson, Tupac and even Chris Brown. You can either buy one of their tshirts or of you refer, can customize one of your own for a price.
Besides exclusive brands which sell graffiti brands, there are many websites which are a one stop shop in streetwear, selling multiple brands and giving customers a wider range of choice.

Total Urban Wear also has a wide range of branded clothing and other accessories with eye catching and unusual graffiti prints on them. Zoo York, Coogi, Fubu and Converse are a few of the brands sold by this website. Another brand called Southpole even has an exclusive green colored tshirt which glows in the dark. Britishhiphop.co.uk is another website which gives you a basic review about different streetwear brands in the UK. Although the main feature of this website is its focus on hip hop music, clothing too gets a special mention here. Graffiti artists no matter which part of the world they are in, try to preserve culture as they know it, through their creative artworks. As long as people support the artists who dare to draw what they think, graffiti as an art form will always survive.

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.