Everything you need to know about the new streetstyle community

Truth be told, we’re still yet to discover the ins-and-outs of 2024, no matter how many notes app predictions were shared on socials last week. One thing we do know is that community-focused style is definitely still in, as it should. By now, you've probably become accustomed to the growing number of streetstyle IG pages dominating your for you page, churning out enough inspiration to rival a Pinterest moodboard. Like clockwork, pages like Uniform Display (UD), Designr Fits, Secrets and Attire Saint have positioned themselves as the new safe and friendly soundboards - or mirrors - of current style.  These accounts are solely dedicated to showcasing real people in everyday looks, without any ulterior motives added. All handles of those featured are tagged too - no gatekeeping. Grids full of sidewalk stances, pavement poses and storefront fits are becoming the standard. With compliments of the new season, the current leading looks we’re being gifted with on these pages include: well-used penny loafers & hiking boots, ombre fluffy scarves & sweaters, staple jackets (Carhartt works), cozy cropped tops (not to be mistaken with full-blown crop tops). Sprinkle some headphones around the neck for that on-the-go realness. Of course, last season the likes of sambas and football jerseys had their shine. Regardless, inspo pages like these are enough reason to stay on Zuckerberg’s mistreated app this year (amongst Meta’s apps, Instagram for sure gives off “middle child syndrome”).

Gone are the days when we had to wait for the quarterly Fashion Weeks for any glimpses of “best streetstyle” lists. Most of those lists were heavily filled up with fashion buyers, fashion insiders anyway. It was all through the gaze of a few fashion photographers with access (no offence Tommy Ton). This was no fun for those on the outside looking in. Especially young fashion aspirants. Things have changed; nowadays all that is needed to partake is a phone and a good fit. The last we saw the power of the real fashion community like this were probably the days of Tumblr. However, even then there were so many barriers to truly connect with other fashionheads. The ask feature felt kind of cold and distant. What we’re seeing nowadays is refreshing. It’s not quite clear what the real catalyst of this new community wave was, but we do know where most of the ripples started. Content from creators that hail from the trendsetting streets of  London’s Soho (historically renowned shopping & hangout spot dating back to Rolling Stones, Hendrix and the Beatles), to the clean ease of Copenhagen (where pyjama pants under sweaters & trenches are now a thing) and the hustle-bustling confidence of New York City have taken up prime real estate on each page. That’s not to say you won’t see posts that have a Japanese, South Korean, German or Italian geotag featured. 

Speaking to the founder of Secrets.jp - one of the most followed and respected pages in the growing community - he shared the simple sentiment that fuels this new rise of observers and partakers of everyday fashion. «I honestly started this page to find my own style, spending a lot of time on Pinterest & Instagram looking for inspiration. I eventually decided to share my own  curation online and that’s when Secrets was born.» Although having started his page in 2020, it must be rewarding to now see the fruition of a hub of supportive creators and browsers - micro & macro - being able to connect via style. «It’s been amazing to see people are inspired by the same creators I am. Without the creators we’d be nothing. Our growth is owed to them.» 

Matt Scott, the founder of another leader in the game Attire Saint, also had similar thoughts on the growing fashion community space. «The best part of the page has been the amazing people we have met along the way from founders, creatives and people from the community that we chat with everyday. It’s been fantastic to see the page evolve into a space where people can interact and meet like minded people. Not to mention finding all things street style, the latest trends and brands/creators that they may have not already known about.» He’s right. The frequent engagement and backing from followers has even in some cases turned into irl meetups and small clothing brand launches or business showers for actual community members. This is a clear sign of the times, and we’re here for it. As are the new gen of Z’ers and Millenials who just want practical fashion content. Scott - who revamped Attire Saint as a clean & clear «GQ or Esquire style moodboard for likeminded people» - knows why it works. «Early on, I just posted as if I was the only audience when I was struggling to find inspiration that resonated with my style. That genuineness and consistency of the content is what has helped create such a loyal following. By staying true to ourselves and only sharing what we truly enjoy.»

Having a never-ending stream of fit inspo to pull from helps too. With content creators - known & unknown - plus even the inspired supporters submitting pics, of course the material featured is endlessly diverse. UD, for example, have gone as far as meticulously curating their iconic Volumes; archived Instagram stories featuring hundreds of stylish individuals in their element. Thus, blindly copying one style or aesthetic is unnecessary in this type of trend forecasting. Variety, if anything, is encouraged. There’s no dictating of trends either. Rather, an ongoing observation of trends. By posting with critique-less captions, these streetstyle accounts give off an encouraging tone for everyone to wear whatever they like. This is where it’s at. This ecosystem of supportive & true people, genuinely wanting to contribute to style commentary through daily fits, is where the needle in fashion is being moved. And it seems brands are slowly taking note. The recent stripped down & relatable campaigns make sense now. Take campaigns like Bottega Veneta’s real-life errand vibes with ASAP Rocky, or the outdoors portrait shots from Burberry SS24. Not forgetting, the new storytelling visuals for Louis Vuitton Men (directed by Gabriel Moses), set on quintessentially Parisian street steps & walkways. All fashion eyes - and budgets - should be on the new streetstyle community and its contributors. From the outfit wearers & sharers to the likers and commenters, we must protect & encourage its longevity too. Let’s keep it going in 2024.