How to pull off streetwear

MANILA, Philippines - “Homeless,” a “criminal” or a “beggar...”

Many people in all parts of the globe, men most especially, have described the year’s most evident trend: street style looking as such.

Harsh, much?

We can’t blame them for having their own opinions about how we look. For one, distressed jeans have progressed to totally ripped or barely there; rest assured, however, that trends are never meant to stay on forever.

Street style may be a trend these days but in fashion capitals like London and Japan, streetwear is a lifestyle that has long existed before the Internet and the rest of the world had caught on with magazines completely dedicated to featuring everyday people using the streets as their experimental runway.

When amping up your street cred, one rule applies: anything goes.

So one can always find ways to update one’s look through the clever art of mixing and matching with pieces already existing in one’s wardrobe!

1. Cocktail dresses needn’t stay within the realms of your usual party or night out. As seen on magazines and websites everywhere, cocktail dresses are purposely worn during the day. Pair them with unlikely pieces like a denim jacket and not just your typical blazer.

2. Unkempt do. Coiffed styles are dated, aging and time consuming. Skip the helmet head ‘dos for fuss-free styles like a loose braid, tousled hair (uncombed-looking tendrils) or a sock bun.

3. Fancy free. Streetwear sophistication is somewhat of an oxymoron. But it truly is all about attitude. Fearless is the one thing you need to be to stand out yet fit in with the rest of the trendsetters. If that makes sense?

If you’re going to be weird, different or daring, be confident about it.

Photography by Nikki S. Valerio • RTW stretch tulle leopard-print dress by Rhett by Rhett Eala, exclusively available at Nest Gallery • Denim jacket by Jeanesis (from Japan) • Woven booties by Martin Margiela • Aviators from SM Accessories • Earrings from Forever 21 • Shot on location at Dotonbori in Osaka, Japan • Additional photo edits by John Lozano