Fashion: Schooling Up On Street Worthy Style
I bet for many of you, most of your wardrobe is a much of a muchness. It's just what us guys do, we like to stick to what we know and feel comfortable wearing. This is likely evident by the masses of blacks, greys and whites present in any given guy's corner of the wardrobe. And I totally get it, I still get sucked in by the safety these tones bring you, but the good news is I'm not about to suggest you need to get rid of these - definitely not. But what instead I want to encourage is using these colour-comforts to lay the foundations for more colourful clothing to be layered in.
In this edit I'm going to run you through a favourite streetwear look of mine at the minute and demonstrate how streetwear is a fun and easy way to bring some added colour to your look.
How rad is that Adidas Originals windbreaker? I wasn't kidding when I said this post was going to be about adding colour, and this jacket sets the bar high. Inspired by HZA Valley, the place where Adidas HQ employees get to enjoy cones of frozen yoghurt, the swirls of colour really make sense and as soon as I laid eyes on it at Adidas in Britomart, I threw it on and swiped the card. The jacket oozes coolness and no matter what else you're wearing it becomes the centrepiece. So if you're in a hurry and don't have time to think about the full look, this jacket does the work for you.
Now many of you 90's kids will recognise these pants. What many believe might only be fitting for Magic Mike striptease moments, these snap pants are back - and you don't need the dance moves to pull them off (but if you do have moves, that will significantly increase your swag too). These Adidas Originals Snap Pants are quite simply kick ass. They're like an upgraded track pant that by design allow for airflow so even in the warmer months they can get plenty of street time. These 'originals' are exactly that, very unique and are a nice removal away from the usual pair of jeans we easily revert to. These pants instantly offer more intrigue and character to your look, and you don't even have to work particularly hard on the top layer as you'll see below a tee is all you need.
This wicked Thrasher tee complete with flames caught my eye at North Beach where my girlfriend works as the Regional Manager. I must admit I'm not a big skateboard follower, well not since my tween years, but Thrasher has got some serious attitude and I liked it. This tee brings the fire (pun fully intended) by unapologetically making it all about the logo, which reflects the current trend of branded clothing.
With a statement tee like this Thrasher one you can afford to simply throw this on with your favourite pair of pants, add sneakers and the job is done. I even wear this tee in the office under a blazer which I really dig. Who says you can't bring some 'tude to the office space?
No outfit is complete without a pair of sneakers that would get any fanboy sweating. I've forever wanted to get myself involved in the Vapormax scene and have seen plenty of variations that I've nearly hit buy now on. But once I saw these Utility Flyknits it was a sign. Not only do they look futuristic, they have the comfort like that of walking on little clouds thanks to the pockets of air that make up the sole. They also give you some added height, perfect for dunking the hoops yo.
Getting involved with some colour isn't as hard as it's made out to be. I suggest start with a few tees and work your way from outwards from there. With branded logos being in vogue, culture is increasingly accepting the practice of smashing trends together and those who experiment will always win.
Make colour your next first choice, and leave that yet-another-black-tee on the rack for something more vibrant and you'll see how it gives you more point of difference and some added fun. Fashion should be more fun than serious, remember that.
Jaheb wearing:
Adidas Originals HZA Jacket by Adidas
Adidas Originals Snap Pants by Adidas
Thrasher Flames Tee by Thrasher via North Beach
Photography by the talented Tori Hayley who honestly makes me look good and 100 times better than in real life. Thanks to Kiwi company Moyork for sending me out some of their awesome tech product to help me work on the go.