Urban Style: When the Street Gives Style Lessons

Let's start off strong: there are those who follow fashion and those who MAKE fashion. And those who belong to the second category are most likely "urban outfitters" . If we wanted to express the meaning of urban style in just one word , it would be "to exist" : among passers-by, in the streets, in the subway stations, because urban style represents the expression of the self in its purest form. It is a trend that is born in the heart of cities , where life penetrates the fashion system and influences it through the urban lifestyle. For this reason, we are talking about a style in continuous evolution that adapts to changes in society and constantly reinvents itself. In this article, we will reveal the dictates of this trend and how to recreate it to obtain an outfit that allows you to stand out from the gray buildings.

What it really means to dress in urban style

“Street fashion” is a constant experiment , a laboratory of new ideas and suggestions but it has its roots in a more distant era than it seems. The first expressions of this kind emerge from the first signs of youth revolutions. 

We are in the USA between the 50s and 60s of the twentieth century when a mix of cultural and social influences began to find their free expression in fashion. The new undisputed protagonists became blue jeans , until then thought of only as work clothes. City life was not the only source of inspiration: cinema also contributed to influencing the collective imagination by proposing myths such as James Dean who, in “Rebel Without a Cause”, rose to the status of an icon of popular rebellion by showing off, together with jeans, an incredible leather jacket. The latter immediately became the ideal overcoat to feel like a “rule-breaker” .

Thus, we arrive at the 70s where “street style” merges with the hippie style, characterized by the unmistakable bell-bottoms. And it is here that the seed of a radical change is planted: the photographer Bill Cunningham began to ride his bike in the streets of New York and Paris immortalizing the outfits of the flâneurs . His photos told of new inspirations that were more real and tangible for ordinary people. His “art” was even consecrated by the most authoritative voice in the fashion industry. Anna Wintour, in fact, stated: “ If Bill didn’t photograph you, then it was like saying you didn’t exist” . And here the concept we expressed before returns: dressing urban means, first of all, being in the world .

The decades that followed, however, were heavily influenced and contaminated by musical subcultures such as punk and grunge, leading to the “streetwear” that was initially popular among Californian surfers and skaters and then “dripped down”, as the well-known sociologist Simmel would say, to the Bronx and became closely linked to hip-hop.

The characteristics of the Urban style today

Initially, rebellion as a form of identity expression seemed to be the exclusive prerogative of minority groups and privileged thinkers. Today the rules of the game have changed: the big fashion houses have had to “bend” and “feed” from the street to be able to reach the hearts of their interlocutors.

Urban style has become more mainstream and accessible to all . Its characteristics are comfort, practicality and originality. The garments par excellence are those that allow you to move freely like sweatshirts or oversized t-shirts, the ally of globetrotters and those who love to enjoy the city in a practical way without frills.

Next come baggy jeans or cargo pants, highly appreciated by those who don't like to carry accessories like bags. In fact, they are known to feature distinctive "pockets", capable of holding essential personal items like: smartphones, wallets and little else. As for overcoats, leather jackets or bomber jackets are becoming very popular .

Among the selected footwear we find the combat boots but above all the sneakers: the favorite shoe . This is ideal for living in comfort without giving up expressing your individuality. Therefore, there is no shortage of customizations and the most unconventional shapes to mark the road with your presence at every step. Current trends include the use of bright colors, statement prints and streetwear details , in a mix and match of new and highly personal contrasts.

There is not just one “urban”: here are the variants

Even though there is no wrong look in street style but only a less inspired combination, each variant of this trend has its own common thread that we will now make clearer. Starting from a common denominator that is the influence of the metropolitan subculture, we can distinguish different declinations of the “urban-style”:

• Urban chic: aim for sophistication. This variation blends comfortable and informal pieces with elegant and studied clothing pieces such as blazers, well-cut shirts and structured trousers. Accessories are minimalist and refined starting from the subtle jewelry and high-quality bags;
• Urban sporty or Sportswear : focus on practicality . Starting from “gym” clothes such as tracksuits, hoodies and sneakers to create an original look with bright and vivid colours. Accessories include backpacks in technical fabric and baseball caps;
• Urban grunge: celebrates rebellion and individuality. Inspired by punk culture and rock music, it is characterized by “deconstruction” and “dirty” colors, such as ripped jeans with a brown distressed wash, baggy t-shirts and leather jackets. Accessories take inspiration from vintage memorabilia and mix them with chains, piercings and biker boots .
• Urban minimal: stands out for its sobriety. The focus is on elegance and simplicity, with clothing items featuring clean and minimalist lines. The colors are neutral and sober, and the accessories are carefully chosen so as not to weigh down the look.

Why is urban style different from casual style?

It is not uncommon to confuse urban style with casual style . The main difference lies in the attention to detail and the focus on current trends. While casual style is more about comfort, urban style focuses on originality and individuality . In particular:

• The casual style : does not contemplate marked forms of ostentation. The garments are basic and resist passing fashions . Even the fabrics are "poor" such as cotton or jersey to communicate an "effortless" way of dressing. We do not find prints or embroidery, in fact the t-shirts are basic and often solid color . Jeans can be cargo but are accompanied with minimalist sneakers. The focus is on comfortable shoes. Both for women and men sneakers or moccasins, at most we go for flat sandals for her and boots for him .
• Urban style: has a more daring and alternative approach because it focuses on originality and individuality. Oversized garments are preferred, such as extra large sweatshirts , graphic print t-shirts, boyfriend jeans or cargo pants . The preferred fabrics are jeans and leather, which we find especially in outerwear. The plus is given by the mix between new trends and retro, recovering vintage pieces . Circular consumption is also rewarded, such as second-hand garments and clothes produced with sustainable techniques. The accessories with which to express the essence of urban style are shoes: sneakers and custom or chunky boots , which can be worn by both men and women.

Urban style: recreate it with T-switch

As mentioned above, sneakers are the perfect choice to recreate the urban style , being the most versatile and comfortable footwear for a street-style outfit with metropolitan connotations . With T-Switch sneakers you can make the street your personal catwalk, creating a trendy and cool look that screams character at first sight!

The T-Switch sneakers are ideal for those who love urban style where details make the difference . What makes the T-Switch truly special is the customization option offered by the T-Kit (with interchangeable straps and tongues). This allows you to "Switch" the shoe whenever you want. With the T-Switch on your feet you are ready to face the city with style and safety.

Tips for a flawless urban outfit

We have already seen what the characteristics of urban style fashion are and now we have arrived at the fun part: creating a metropolitan outfit to stand out from the crowd. And if there is a brand that perfectly represents this philosophy it is undoubtedly T-Switch. Here are some outfit suggestions for men and women for three different occasions, knowing that the possibilities are endless thanks to the versatility of these sneakers.

Urban grunge outfit for an afternoon in the city:

• For her: A pair of ripped jeans, an oversized white or graphic t-shirt and a black leather jacket. Complete the look with a shoulder bag and a pair of designer sunglasses. For shoes we recommend the T-Switch sneaker with tongue and strap in the Dark Gray, Military or Fuchsia versions to add a touch of originality;
• For him: A pair of cargo pants, a striped t-shirt and a denim jacket. Add a hat and a pair of trendy sunglasses. Complete the look with the T-Switch sneaker with Jeans, Red or Yellow details to give it a fresh look.

Urban chic outfit for a night out on the town:

• For her: A black pleated midi skirt, a vintage white shirt and a black blazer jacket. In addition, a clutch and elegant accessories. The top combination includes a T-Switch sneaker with metallic details, such as the Metal Silver or Metal Gold to give a sophisticated but contemporary image.
• For him: A pair of chinos, a black shirt with a mandarin collar and an elegant jacket. To accompany an empty pocket leather clutch. You can opt for the T-Switch sneakers with Black or Mango details to make the look more original.

Sporty urban outfit for a city trip:

• For her: An oversized tracksuit, a windbreaker and a sporty backpack. Add a pair of 90s-style sunglasses and a bandana. Here we propose the T-Switch sneakers with neon details like the Pink customizations for a lively and dynamic look.
• For him: Joggers, a hoodie and a windbreaker. Add a baseball cap and a one-shoulder fanny pack. The choice falls on the T-Switch sneakers with Red or Azure details to express personality.

In conclusion, remember that the secret to an effective urban outfit is to show off your imagination and uniqueness like a trendsetter : street style cannot be copied . This is why T-Switch is the winning choice that best expresses a personal style. Have fun choosing the colors of the tongue and strap for an original and trendy result. With T-Switch, urban style becomes a true fashion statement .

Article by Alessia Capo