Over the past few years, streetwear has grown from a niche in the fashion industry into an entire ecosystem of its own, including websites dedicated to keeping track of its wildfire prices and market-like ebbs and flows. This growing popularity has led to collaborations with luxury fashion houses and covetable limited product releases, which continue to increase the hype and the price tags. As a streetwear stan myself, the departure from streetwear’s origins as accessible fashion priced for the masses has been the cause of many proverbial tears.
While there is a lot to discuss regarding the gentrification of streetwear, today’s tea is that traditional streetwear brands have, in turn, hired some of the best creative talents in the fashion industry and are getting more experimental and “designer” themselves. Lucky for us, many of the most recognizable and storied streetwear brands continue to maintain accessible prices, creating the perfect storm: well-designed and high-quality pieces for a modest budget.
From hats and sneakers to sports shorts and track pants, keep scrolling to find the under-$100 streetwear staples you’ll live in morning to night. You definitely won’t want to sleep on these finds.
Sports shorts, including board shorts (as pictured above), soccer shorts, basketball shorts, etc., are the next wave. Fashion girls everywhere are pairing these sporty styles with their dressier pieces to create cool, well-balanced outfit combinations that are worth trying out this summer. This matchy-matchy moment is a lesson in being casual and comfortable but still looking put-together.
Shop sporty shorts:
It’s the side ruching on the pockets for me.
A young Shaquille O’Neal used to wear these!
Wear these with a vintage band tee and thong heels.
Muay Thai has the best sports uniform, hands down.
Bandulu’s signature embroidered paint splatter is the absolute coolest. Get familar.
I’d wear these to a lazy brunch with a baggy cropped tee and later that night with a halter top and strappy heels. The comfy life chose me.
Pair these with a puff-sleeve blouse for a cute daytime look.
Hats fell off in popularity among the fashion set for a while, but I’m glad they are back to reclaim their place as the GOAT accessory. Hats of all styles can function as the literal cherry on top of an outfit—whether it’s to add a pop of color or just some texture. Plus, they’ll help you get away with bad hair days.
Shop hats:
This terry cloth bucket hat in every color, please.
TBD whether this hat doubles as a parachute.
This one is a streetwear fan favorite. Both the color and content are *chef’s kiss*.
Heaven—finally, a team we can all get behind.
This reversible hat will go with so many outfits.
All those white sneakers you’ve accumulated will be pushed to the back of your closet this summer to make way for sneakers in every color combination you can imagine. Put them on with an otherwise coordinated outfit to throw everyone off. “You think you know, but you have no idea” vibes.
Shop colorful sneakers:
I’m very attracted to running sneakers, in general. Wearing these, the day has no limitations.
Bruce Lee famously wore these in his last film, which makes them part of streetwear history.
I’m shocked these are under $100. The ombré is so cool.
When life gives you lemons.
Fuego.
These are for all my color-blocking queens.
Track pants are a classic streetwear essential that will never go out of style. They are lightweight and are usually made in quick-drying fabric, which makes them great for warm weather. Style them with all your summer button-downs and crop tops, and add flats or loafers to give a bit more formality to the look.
Shop track pants:
Loving the flared shape of these.
This forest-green pair will stay in your rotation into the fall and winter.
Pop the buttons on the side and watch them transform into a swimsuit cover-up.
Kappa track pants are classic, and this shade of baby blue is so beautiful.
Never seen the originals in this colorway.
These days, all my shirts are either oversize or cropped—I don’t make the rules. Style them with the sporty shorts and track pants mentioned earlier for the summer uniform of dreams.
Shop crop tops:
Personally, the pattern alone sold me. This ’90s halter style is also trending right now.
Wherever you wear this, you will surely be “just living life.”
This second-skin top will make a great companion to sweats, jeans, and sport shorts alike.
An elevated version of your go-to white tank. Classic.
This season, we are seeing lots of sandals with thick soles, which is likely a continuation of the lug-sole-boot trend of the winter. I’m not much of a heel girl, so I usually swap in platform sandals to wear with dresses for added height. Mix in fun accessories like colorful socks or stacked anklets for endless combinations.
Shop chunky sandals:
When sporty and posh link up.
Everybody and their mama has a pair of Crocs these days. It’s advised to wear them in sports mode like she’s doing here.
These will look chic with a white summer dress.
Gladiator meets punk, I love.
There’s nothing like a baggy polo shirt when you want to look put-together and still be comfortable. Wear it with sporty shorts or relaxed-fit denim.
Shop polo shirts:
This beachy polo is such a vibe and glows during golden hour.
Bring this to the beach bonfire instead of a sweatshirt.
This top would also look great unbuttoned with your bikini.
This nautical number is begging to be worn on a boat.
Definitely coordinate or clash this polo with all your denim.
