I grew up inspired by NBA players and my older brother, shaping my strong tomboy aesthetic during my childhood. My go-to outfits were basketball shorts, which I had no other choice but to roll up since they were too big on me, large, baggy hoodies that I would steal from my brother’s closet, an oversized t-shirt I’d get from basketball camps or in the boys section at Target, and to accompany such a seemingly hideous look, a pair of Nike sneakers with ankle-high Nike Elite socks. I wish I had photos of my outfits, but I don’t think my mom wanted the memory of how I dressed to be captured. It’s okay though, because I’d say I still dress like that today.  Just in a much more refined and tasteful way! 

Streetwear, as one can now assume, has been a large part of my life. When I was younger, I never wore what I deliberately knew to be streetwear, but rather what I gravitated towards. Women in streetwear, nonetheless a little girl with an affinity for streetwear-like clothing, wasn’t something I was very familiar with in a suburban sect of Los Angeles. My mother always encouraged “lady-like” clothing, which I don’t blame her for--she just assumed it’s what I would enjoy wearing. When I would refuse to wear a dress or skirt to school, her open mind let me dress myself. I credit my evolving love of streetwear to her, a passion I’ve brought with me to college.

Coming to Boston College for the first time was a culture shock. The mens’ fashion was quite different from what I knew. I’m used to what many on the west coast call “beach rats:” guys who wear swim trunks as shorts paired with RVCA or Hurley t-shirts, along with flip flops or a pair of beat up vans.  A flat-brimmed hat or straw beach hat wasn’t too uncommon either. At BC, I had never seen so many quarter zip-ups, collared shirts, khaki pants, and Sperry boat shoes in my life. Unfamiliar fashion wasn’t anything I wasn’t used to, though, and it only made me more excited to find individuals with a love for a diverse range of styles. With such a pursuit to discover new styles, I present to you my top five favorite brands that have helped me refine my streetwear! Hopefully this article will shed light on some smaller creators I have loved for so long, and have newly discovered. 

1. Stray Rats: founded by Julian Consuegra in 2010, Stray Rats mixes music, gaming, and streetwear together to create bright hoodies and unique prints. It’s definitely my favorite brand at the moment. 

2. OCD Cleaners is a new brand created through Bodega. Originally launching graphic t-shirts, they have expanded to hoodies and crewnecks sold exclusively in the Bodega Store. 

3. Full Court Press ties in the love for basketball and other sports with streetwear. 

4. Real Bad Man brands hats, tees, and hoodies with their signature Real Bad Man logo.

5. Awake NY brings contemporary New York aesthetics with vibrant colors.