FOLIO
Words by McKenna Oakley, Photos by Ambar Ramirez and McKenna Oakley
As longtime devotees of the Jacksonville arts and culture scene, we think we know a thing or two about upcoming fashion trends. Or maybe we’re just overly enthusiastic about our “Sex and the City” re-watch. Nevertheless, when it comes to street fashion in particular, we see some exciting shifts in the pipeline.
Street fashion (or more simply known as streetwear) is an effortlessly chic genre known for casual looks that are anything but casual. Often drawing influence from cultural niches like hip-hop music groups or athletes’ off-duty looks, streetwear features layers upon layers of detail and popular culture nuance. Beneath the baggy tees, wide leg jeans and gold jewelry, there is a rich fashion tradition that often has its finger right on the pulse of what’s trending.
Make no mistake, though — streetwear is for all ages. The looks may be mindfully curated, but its constant evolution allows for individual touches, and its casual appearance promises comfort. After all, it’s called streetwear because — to put it reductively — it’s what people wear on the street.
Now, let’s dive into the streetwear trends we anticipate as HOT for the summer of 2025. First, we’re going to break our style prophecy into three critical components: the staples to stay, the stars to rise and the Southern stunners to especially thrive.
The Staples
To start, let’s shout out the staples — the hallmarks of street fashion that people of all ages can recognize. We’re talking boxy graphic tees, light-washed and loose-fitting denim, gold accessories, statement eyewear, baseball caps, sneakers and functional handbags—meaning crossbodies, totes and even fanny packs.
Let’s all breathe a sigh of relief on that last one because although the “tiny bag” may be trending, it can’t compete with the classic tote when it comes to practicality. How else can we hold all of our sunscreen, melted lip balms and old receipts?
We’re digressing. But don’t miss this: the staples will spin, starting with the denim. As part of the Y2K fashion resurgence, the rise of jeans will go in the same direction as many of our hopes for an Outkast reunion have gone — lower. You heard it here: low-rise is in.
And as far as the precious tote bag, get ready to see some charm — bag charms, specifically. They’re the perfect way to spice up a dull closet, and we anticipate charm fever expanding to the jeans, too. Don’t be surprised if you see a little sparkly something dangling from belt loops this season.
Speaking of little “somethings,” streetwear boasts lots of logos. Expect to see representation of at least one famous musician, film, team or brand in most streetwear looks. When it comes to streetwear, what’s tacky is embraced, and opulence is the rule. Streetwear is nothing without its iconography, even when it comes to jewelry.
Yep — we see logos taking over even the accessory space. Streetwear may already boast statement jewelry, but we see an increasing dedication to this metallic maximalism. Don’t be shocked if you see some Miami Heat chains, “Scarface” bracelets, or Hello Kitty rings in your Instagram feeds and salon magazines.
The Stars
As far as the stars, all we have to say is tees, tracksuits and ties — oh, my! We think streetwear will see a whole new embrace of corporate culture, including the necktie. We foresee the success of the “office siren” trend bleeding over into streetwear.
This trend has been putting a sensual twist on principles of office wear for the past few months on social media, but we think streetwear will blend the style with more palatable touches that make it less risque. This means oversized tees with low stilettos, tank tops under blazers and sneakers below pinstriped slacks. Streetwear will blur the lines of your closet, mixing business casual with explicitly casual, all the while utilizing the elements of your wardrobe you find the most boring and dull.
In a similar vein, we also see streetwear embracing utilitarianism this summer. More and more visible belts are being worn on the outside of silhouettes, and we’ve even seen a revival of the windbreaker. Yes, the windbreaker. This is coming straight from the runway; Miu Miu is selling these blasts from the past for a few thousand dollars.
But, opinions on jackets resembling plastic bags aside, this is what makes streetwear so exciting. Something you may think of as strictly functional — like a trusty leather belt or something to ward off the wind, apparently — can be fashionable.
Case in point: we also anticipate a Western moment this summer. Cowboy boots and 10-gallon hats may be Southern mainstays, but our crystal ball foresees a coast-to-coast yeehaw. Western-inspired clothing has been growing in popularity the past few months, and we don’t see its influence dwindling anytime soon. Thanks to celebs like Bella Hadid and SZA, the urban-meets-country aesthetic is continuously featured on magazine covers and in social media feeds.
Though we expect Western touches to stay subtle amongst high street fashion, we think that the comfort of the cowboy look will take hold when it comes to the layman’s look. Realistically, most of us are getting dressed to go to the grocery store and don’t have to consider the opinions of paparazzi. And, after all, we are in Jacksonville!
The Southern Stunners
Along with some coastal cowboy appreciation, we foresee bright colors, breezy linens and all things short to dominate Jacksonville’s streetwear. Bold color palettes complement our tropical climate while lightweight linens help us manage the heat. And as always, shorts will be an essential component of the Jacksonville street look. Though our friends up north may savor the boyfriend jean, down here we have the unique opportunity to intersect with urban trends even more casually.
Who pushes the fashion envelope more: someone strutting a shoulder-padded blazer over jeans or someone rocking the formal with a pair of jorts? (And no, that’s not a typo. We’re talking about knee-length jean shorts, endearingly known as jorts. Think of the shorts the older gentlemen in your life wear. Yep, those.)
We’re not yanking chains here, either. Pulling together a fun street look really is within anyone’s reach. Take the collage featured in our story’s photo. It was created using pieces we found in our closets and car trunks, after just minutes of Googling and a little rummaging.
We ended up with a look that may be quirky but is certainly meaningful. Some pieces, like the baseball cap or Tupac tee, are tried and true. Others, like the ivory heels or striped necktie, are saved for those rare, mandatory occasions. But all of them were just sitting around, waiting to be put to use.
That’s what streetwear is about. It comes down to a spirit of experimental youth that pays respect to the non-negotiable aspects of life—whether it be the obnoxiously large shades you need for working outside, the graphic tee for the cult band you outgrew or the blouse you bought to wear one time for that awkward headshot.
So, keep an eye out, Jacksonville. We’re arrogant and we’re calling it. And while you’re at it, consider digging through your closet. If you don’t find some outfit inspo, someone else can score a hand-me-down.
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