Top Urban Clothing Manufactures
The urban fashion scene is one of the most varied and intricate scenes out there. The wealth gaps, density, and energy of cities have bred everything from hip hop street fashion to haute couture. Urban clothing reflects this, as even the most popular outfitters in urban outlets have little in relationship to one another. Still, there are certain brands that are well recognized and well-loved: the 'top' urban designers.
Since urban fashion is such a diverse subject, compiling a blanket list of the best urban producers is moot. Instead, we will be looking at different fashion archetypes, and reviewing reliable brands for the each of them.
Hip Hop Fashion
Hip Hop fashion, though difficult to categorize, features heavily in dense urban areas like Chicago. It tends to capitalize on bulky or large clothing, like baggy pants and oversized shirts and jackets, combined with flashy jewelry and accessories to promote a 'larger than life' feel. Brands popular in this style of dress often include sportswear brands and artist-promoted brands. Its staples include:
- Ecko- Often features graffiti-esque motifs popular in Hip Hop culture.
- Apple Bottoms- Famous for its popular women's denim collection.
- Roca Wear- A strong and versatile 'street fashion' name, blending fashion styles.
- Akademiks- Popular for its focus on traditional Hip Hop appearances, with large and loud offerings.
Prep Fashion
Though as common as Hip Hop fashion on the streets, Prep Fashion follows a very different approach to aesthetics. It tends to feature tight-fitting clothing with low-key designs and a lot of different, bright colors. Shorts and sporting wear feature heavily in this fashion as well. A striped tennis shirt can be considered an icon of 'prep' fashion. Its staple brands are:
- Ralph Lauren- Established brand promoting luxury or high-end semi casual wear.
- American Eagle- Casual wear designer with a strong focus on youthful appearance.
- Lacoste- Specializes in classy sporting wear.
- J. Press- Clothier specialised in lax formalwear and high-end clothing.
High Fashion
In addition to the slick casual looks above, cities are better known for being powerful centers of high fashion. Milan, Paris, New York and London all conjure images of sleek suits and designer garment - and with good reason! There are arguably more names to keep track of when dealing with high fashion than elsewhere, but that's because at this level designers become much more specialized. Even with all this variety, though, there's a few names that simply won't do you wrong.
- Dolce & Gabanna- A widely recognized name in luxury lifestyle and fashion, based in Italy.
- Fiorucci- Another Italian brand associated with London and American 'swing' style.
- Hermès- A French high fashion house, which specializes in luxury goods and clothing of all kinds.
- Prada- Specialist in leather fashion goods and accessories.
- Brooks Brothers- An American clothier specialised in sharp men's fashion and tailoring.
Of course, there are innumerable brands outside of these in all categories, but the ones listed are highly successful and well established. Whatever way your fashion swings, products off these lines are sure to serve you well.