: a style of fashionable casual clothing that features items such as sneakers, hoodies, T-shirts, and baggy pants and that emerged from and is inspired by a blend of urban subcultures (such as hip-hop, skateboarding, and surfing)
In recent years, streetwear has blurred the lines between casual wear and luxury fashion. … From gym sessions to coffee runs, or even a night out layered under a jacket , these hoodies work everywhere.—Gerrita Bikker
Originally rooted in the subcultures of skate and surf in California, streetwear has transcended its niche origins to become a dominant force in the global fashion industry.—Usman Ghani
—often used before another noun
a streetwear brand
streetwear designers

Examples of streetwear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Shopify’s guide to limited product drops explains how scarcity, anticipation and exclusivity can shape consumer interest, much like the drop culture around sneakers and streetwear. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026 Among the upper income male teens, Pacsun moved into fourth place from the eighth spot a year ago, which the Piper analyst said boded well for Vans given the brand’s heritage in skate and streetwear fashion. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026 Related Dressed in all black and then in casual streetwear, the septet own the stage and definitely amp up the hype for the two very special cinema events later this month. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026 Aitzhanova launched her clothing label Al Basty to infuse avant-garde sensibilities into the local streetwear scene and to put Kazakh mystical culture on the global stage. — Yulia Denisyuk, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for streetwear

Word History

Etymology

street entry 1 + wear entry 2 (sense 2a)

First Known Use

1993, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of streetwear was in 1993

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Streetwear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/streetwear. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster