Fashion has typically been divided into two distinct categories: street style and runway fashion. Street style, or fashion seen on everyday people, is often seen as a representation of the current trends and style within a particular culture. Runway fashion, on the other hand, is the more glitzy way of presenting collections from fashion designers and trends. But what is the dichotomy between the two? In this article, we explore the differences between street style and runway fashion and how each one impacts the other.
1. Examining the Differences Between Street Style and Runway Fashion
Contemporary street style and runway fashion have both evolved as new trends have come and gone. Much of what we see today takes aspects from each, making them increasingly difficult to differentiate. Despite this, there are some clear defining features.
Design
At first glance, the design of street style and runway fashion can be fairly indistinguishable. Eye-catching pieces and flashy colors often make their presence across both. Although, the differences become a lot clearer when you pay attention to the details.
In general, street style outfits tend to be more practical and drab in comparison to runway fashion. Patterns are often limited to subtle stripes, while colors remain earth tones such as brown, black, and gray. Meanwhile, runway fashion is tendency to be elaborate with bold designs, intricate patterns, and highly saturated colors.
Fabric
The type of fabric used can also be an indicator of street style or runway fashion. Many streets style items can be bought from general stores, such as denim, cotton, and polyester.
On the other hand, high-end fashion designers lean towards luxury fabrics. Suede, leather, silk, and carefully woven yarns are all popular choices when it comes to runway fashion.
Fit & Function
Finally, fit and function come into play. More often than not, street style offers pieces that are baggy and relaxed, whereas runway fashion favors tight-fitting garments.
In addition, certain items are exclusive to each genre. For instance, coats and jackets may be found more on the streets, whereas more luxurious items such as evening gowns and fur coats can be seen on the runways.
Ultimately, the differences between street style and runway fashion heavily come down to the two points mentioned – design and fabric. They can shape how an outfit is viewed, and whether it comes off as a trend set by the runway or something more casual.
2. Vibrant Perspectives of Street Fashion
Street fashion has grown into one of the most vibrant forms of self-expression. It provides a wonderful outlet for people all around the world to show their unique identity, and to share and celebrate their culture. The great thing about street fashion is that there is no one universal form of it. Different countries, cities, and even specific neighborhoods can each take their own approach to street fashion.
In the United States, street fashion often blends modern trends with traditional dress, creating clothing that stands out from the mainstream. Gen Zers often wear outfits in bright neons, oversized pieces, and even statement print shirts. For example, a classic denim jacket can be updated with a few statement patches or vintage pins, giving it that custom, distinct look.
Fashion is all about being creative and expressing yourself, and that statement is especially true with street fashion. People can mix and match between designers, vintage shops, and thrift stores to get the perfect combination of items. They can also choose to wear everyday clothes in a bold, unique way. A plain tank top, for instance, can be paired with flare pants for a groovy touch.
At the end of the day, street fashion is about having fun with your wardrobe. It’s fast-paced and ever-changing, with trends coming in and out within a matter of weeks or months. That’s why it’s so important for fashion lovers to wear what they love and feel confident in their choices—and to always add a bit of personal flair.
- Modern trends blended with traditional dress
- Mixing between designers, vintage stores, and thrift stores
- Fast-paced and ever-changing
3. Understanding the Sartorial Impact of the Runway
The runway is the center stage of fashion. It’s where stylists showcase their upcoming collections to the world, inspiring millions — and nowhere is its impact more evident than on the sartorial front. Here are three ways that the fashion world has been challenged by the runway:
- Diversifying the Scene: Runway shows of past eras were often dominated by models of a single body type, ethnicity, or gender. But today’s catwalks are a melting pot of diverse talent, paving the way for a more inclusive and accepting fashion industry.
- The Need For Speed: One of the most significant impacts of the runway has been the way it has pushed designers to develop evolving trends faster than ever before. With stylists often expected to deliver up to four collections each year, it’s an intense game of beat the clock.
- Fashion As Art: Since its inception, the runway has served as an art form, allowing brands to express their creative vision and convey it to fashion lovers worldwide. With the rising popularity of runway videos and streams, the impact of the runway on the fashion world just keeps growing.
For stylists, understanding the power of the runway is indispensable. It’s the source of essential industry insight that plays an integral role in bettering the fashion landscape and setting the trends for the season.
The runway isn’t just about the clothes. Its ability to elevate the fashion conversation and inspire millions of people makes it one of the world’s most influential forums. From diversifying the scene to embracing fashion as art, the runway continues to be a primary source of sartorial inspiration.
The runway captures our collective attention and encourages us to think outside the box. Its influence shows no signs of waning, so don’t miss out on the latest runway arrivals: they could be your new wardrobe staples.
4. Reconciling Comparisons Between Street and Runway Trends
When examining streetwear and high-end fashion, the differences are obvious. Streetwear is often much more casual and edgy, featuring relaxed fits, prints, patterns, and fabrics that wouldn’t appear on the runway. On the other hand, high-end fashion is much more buttoned-up and clean cut, with silhouettes and details reflective of the designer’s creative vision.
However, this doesn’t mean that the two are completely separate. In fact, there is often a dynamic interplay between the two, and many of the most popular streetwear trends can be seen popping up on the runway.
So how can one reconcile the differences between street and runway trends? To start, it’s helpful to look at fashion history. Trends come and go in waves, with certain looks becoming popular on the street, and then eventually appearing on the runways. If you look closely enough, you’ll be able to piece together the evolution of trends from one medium to the other.
Next, look at what the big brands are doing. While fashion houses like Dior and Louis Vuitton produce only the highest quality garments, they are still taking cues from streetwear in order to stay relevant to their audience. Trends from streetwear can be seen appearing in their collections, often more subtle than their original iterations in the streets.
Look also to collaborations. Streetwear and high-end fashion are working together in greater numbers, with collaborations like Virgil Abloh’s Off-White and Nike, as well as Supreme and Louis Vuitton. By working together, these entities are able to create exciting new looks and products that merge the best of both worlds.
Ultimately, reconciling the differences between street and runway fashion is about understanding how both have evolved over the years, and how they continue to interact. As long as we remember that both are about creating beautiful garments and looks, then reconciling the two should be much easier.
At the end of the day, street style and runway fashion offer different perspectives on current fashion trends – while runway fashion provides an aspirational look towards the future, street style offers a grassroots view from everyday fashion-lovers. Although there can be a clear divide between these two distinct styles, they both share a fundamental, core appreciation for clothing and expression. For the fashion-curious, both street style and runway fashion should be explored to gain a comprehensive appreciation for the trends, the culture, and the art of fashion.
