The 1990s saw streetwear evolve from a niche subculture to a mainstream fashion phenomenon. From innovative designs and experimentation with materials to bold logos, 90s fashion brands reshaped the landscape of streetwear styles.
In the 90s, we saw the evolution of bold logos signaling allegiance to a specific brand or subculture. Beyond branding, these logos became symbols of empowerment, which is still present in the fashion world today.
With that being said, here are the best streetwear brands from the 1990s.
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15 Best 90’s Streetwear Brands
1. Tommy Hilfiger
In fashion, Tommy Hilfiger is a brand typically associated with a preppy aesthetic. However, thanks to streetwear fashion, the brand skyrocketed in popularity during the 1990s.
Embraced by some of the most popular celebrities and hip-hop artists, Tommy Hilfiger’s logo-centric fashion design is synonymous with 90s urban fashion. Artists like Snoop Dogg, TLC, Aaliyah, Usher, and Mary J Blige wore Tommy Hilfiger during the 90s!
2. JNCO
JNCO is a brand that originated in the late 80s. However, it peaked in popularity in the 90s, thanks to streetwear enthusiasts.
As a brand, JNCO is known for its oversized clothing and distinctive embroidered logos. JNCO captured the rebellious spirit of 90s streetwear fashion, embodying a non-conformist attitude.
3. Polo Ralph Lauren & Polo Sport
Ralph Lauren’s Polo and Polo Sport brand was a 90s streetwear staple. Polo became a popular brand thanks to its preppy-meets-street style.
With its iconic polo shirts, varsity jackets, and colorful sweaters, Polo Ralph Lauren epitomizes 90s casual streetwear style. Polo Ralph Lauren was worn by some of the biggest names in Hip-Hop, such as Nas and the Wu-Tang clan.
Polo Ralph Lauren has remained a popular streetwear brand throughout the years. In fact, Kanye West was known for wearing a pink Polo Ralph Lauren polo shirt in the early 2000s.
4. Kangol
Kangol is a clothing brand established in the 1920s and experienced a revival in the 1990s. Known for its iconic kangaroo logo, Kangol embodies laid-back 90s streetwear style.
The Kangol bucket hat and Berret are two clothing items that are 90s hip-hop fashion staples. Eminem, Missy Eliott, Slick Rick, Wesley Snipes, Samuel L. Jackson and Run-DMC were known for wearing Kangol attire during the 1990s.
Unfortunately, Kangol is a streetwear brand that younger generations may not be aware of. Since the mid-2000s, Kangol has become less and less popular among younger streetwear enthusiasts.
5. FUBU
FUBU is a streetwear brand that was launched in 1992 by Daymond John. What made FUBU unique is that it’s one of the first fashion brands to cater specifically to the African American community.
Known for its bold colors, baggy pants, and oversized silhouettes, FUBU was one of the hottest streetwear brands and a huge part of Hip-hop culture. Rappers like Jay-Z, Ludacris, and LL Cool J were wearing FUBU everywhere, from the red carpet to their music videos.
6. GAP
Although GAP is a well-known name in the fashion world, the brand experienced a resurgence in the 1990s and became a big part of streetwear culture. GAP is famous for its iconic logo, timeless basics, and iconic logo.
In 2021, GAP hoodies were trending all over social media because of their cool, retro style. To this day, GAP is a trendy brand that looks great with streetwear outfits.
7. Stüssy
Originally a surfwear fashion brand founded by Shawn Stüssy in the 1980s, Stüssy gained widespread popularity in the 90s as it expanded into streetwear. With its signature graffiti-inspired logo and laid-back California vibe, Stüssy captured the essence of 90s urban style.
Originally founded by Shawn Stüssy in the 1980s as a surfwear brand, Stüssy became one of the most popular streetwear brands in the 1990s. Stüssy is a staple in the 90s urban style, known for its laid-back California vibe and graffiti-inspired graphic T-shirts.
To this day, Stüssy is still an iconic streetwear brand known for its graffiti-style t-shirts. If you go to the thrift shop, you may be able to get your hands on an original Stüssy T-shirt from the 90s!
8. Nike
Although Nike is a sportswear giant that’s been popular since the 80s, its influence on 90s streetwear cannot be overstated. In the 1990s, Nike released iconic sneakers, which played a pivotal role in shaping the 90s streetwear fashion scene.
The Nike Air Max series, Nike Air More Uptempo, and Nike Air Huarache were some of the best-selling sneakers in the 90s. The Nike Air Max 90 was a wardrobe staple in 90s hip-hop fashion.
To this day, Nike is still one of the biggest brands in the fashion industry. Their streetwear styles from the 90s live on and remain popular today.
9. Girbraud
Girbraud is a French denim brand which was popular in the 90s. When it comes to 90s street fashion, Gibraud is one of the top brands from that era.
The brand pioneered unique features on denim clothing, like oversized pockets, bold embellishments, and intricate stitching. To this day, Gibrauds has a major influence on the streetwear industry.
Unfortunately, Gibraud declared bankruptcy in 2012. However, in late 2023, Gibraud has been teasing its relaunch.
10. Karl Kani
Karl Kani is a streetwear brand that was popular in the early 1990s. Throughout the decade, rappers like Tupac Shakur, Biggie Smalls, Jay-Z, and Nas regularly wore clothing from Karl Kani.
Karl Kani, the fashion designer behind the brand, is known as “the godfather of hip-hop clothing.” To this day, Karl Kani is the brand that paved the way for hip-hop fashion brands.
11. Champion
While Champion has been around since 1919, the popular fashion brand experienced a resurgence in the 1990s and became a favorite among streetwear enthusiasts. The iconic Champion “C” logo is one of the most recognizable symbols in streetwear fashion.
The Champion brand was known for making comfortable and stylish athleisure wear, which captured the casual vibe of 90s street style. To this day, Champion is still a well-known brand thanks to its affordable pricing and retro clothing designs.
12. Fila
Fila is an iconic streetwear brand that was huge during the 90s urban style era. Although Fila does not have the buzz it once had today, it’s still a nostalgic brand with cool retro styles.
Fila’s sneakers, tracksuits, hats, and other sportswear were fashion staples throughout the 90s. Throughout the 1990s, Fila mixed comfort and style, which is one of the major reasons why the brand was so popular.
In the 2010s, Fila attempted to capture the nostalgia around its brand by collaborating with the Wu-Tang Clan and Nas. Unfortunately, Fila is not as popular anymore. However, the brand still has a special place in the hearts of 90s kids worldwide.
13. Adidas
Similarly to Nike, Adidas played a big part in shaping 90s streetwear through its iconic sneaker designs and collaborations with fashion designers and artists. The Adidas Superstar is a sneaker that is synonymous with 90s urban fashion.
To this day, the Adidas Superstar is loved by streetwear fanatics due to its versatile and timeless design. Throughout the 1990s, Adidas was worn by Busta Rhymes, Run DMC, and Missy Elliott.
14. Lee Pipes
The 90s was a time when skateboarding began to experience significant growth among a mainstream audience. Lee Pipes was a popular skatewear brand well-loved by streetwear enthusiasts.
Skater style has always had a major influence on streetwear. In fact, Supreme, the most popular streetwear brand of all time, is a skate brand.
Throughout the 90s, Lee Pipes’s denim pants were super popular but expensive. So, many people who liked the look of Lee Pipes denim resorted to buying JNCO jeans instead!
Although Lee Pipes is no longer popular, this brand holds a special place in the hearts of those who grew up in the 90s!
15. Ecko Unlimited
With the rise of streetwear in the 1990s, Ecko embraced an edgy and bold urban aesthetic. Thanks to its presence in the hip-hop and skate scene, Ecko grew in popularity.
As a brand, Ecko was known for unique clothing designs, intricate details, and unconventional materials. Since 1993, Ecko has built a reputation for making cool clothing for young consumers.
Unfortunately, Ecko is not as popular as it once was. However, the brand is available online and at Walmart if you’re looking to take a trip down memory lane.
Honourable Mentions:
- Pelle Pelle
- Calvin Klein
- North Face
- Juicy Couture
- Dickies
- True Religion
- Carhartt
- Nautica
- Kappa
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Final Thoughts On Best 90’s Streetwear Brands
In the 1990s, we saw the rise of some very cool streetwear brands. Although many of these streetwear brands are not as popular today, it’s always fun to look back at what was trendy in the 1990s.
In this post, I shared the best 90s streetwear brands.
What 90s streetwear brand is your favorite? Please let me know in the comments below.