Urban streetwear // AKA the micro trend that sticks two fingers up at the crappy weather

So what the EFF do you do when you’ve bought into summer pastels and 50s shorter-than-short playsuits and the weather LITERALLY PISSES ALL OVER THEM. Eh? EH?!

Don’t get mad, get streetwear (welcome)

Ahhh, urban streetwear. Ever since the genius H&M Versace collaboration two seasons ago which Jessie J was literally BORN FOR (seriously, I just don’t think the one could exist without the other), and Kate Moss appeared doing her best Kaaaffffyyyy from ‘stenders impression on the supreme SS12 posters, aaaaaaaaaaaaaand Rihanna appeared on WOSSY in head to toe East London street brand BOY London, urban streetwear brands and 90s hip hop style have been slowly creeping back onto our fashion radar.

Now. I’m not suggesting you take a full on Salt-N-Pepa approach to the urban streewear trend; a boom-box on the shoulder is NOT imperative (though preferable, obvs).

I’m talking girly urban street style – think Rita Ora (current girl crush de jour) and the original Hollaback girl Gwen Stefani: THAT’S MY SHIT, THAT’S MY SHIT.

Top tip: clash your street style up. Leopard + block colour + pastel + baroque + paisley… ALMOST anything goes. DONT GET SCARED NOW.

Oh hai, Jessie J! That’s a casual look you’re going for there, tell me are you? Oh you’re wearing ALL the colours. And prints. IN THE WORLD. Awesome

Now, we at Le Blow have been a fan of a cheeky hi-top for a while now (especially if they’re covered in glittery sequins/or animal print – girls? Us?!).

However, we’re now ready to stick two fingers up to this JOKE of a British summer with the Le Blow guide to the key streetwear pieces to keep you looking slick (and, erm also *mum voice* warm and dry).

Mix them, match them, nod to the trend with a cheeky key piece or Jessie J the shit out of it and wear them all at once if you want. YOU HAVE OUR BLESSING.  We’re starting an anti summer mother effing revolution. FROM THE STREETZZZZZZZZ.

Kicks

Yeah. I say kicks now. And what? So the trainer fetish is only growing BY THE DAY, but has now evolved from the hi-top to *drum roll please* the low-top, the flatform plimsolls, the classic runners AND the wedge trainers. You heard.

The House of Holland  x Superga collaboration is nothing less than genius. Superga’s main range is pretty sick (sure, I use that word  now, too) with gorgeous pastels and ditsy florals but the purple leopard prints and POLKA DOT FLATFORMS have quite frankly BLOWN MY TINY MIND.

Keep an eye also on Vans, for their new animal print package. Leopard and sneakers and skaters OH MY.

Lilac Superga polka dot flatform trainer, £70, House of Holland

House of Holland x Superga lilac leopard print plimsolls, £55, Asos.com

Nike Air Max 90 08 trainers, £92, Asos.com

Sweats

Anything that involves legitimately wearing lounge wear outside of the house gets my vote, and a great way to nod to the streetwear trend is with a retro branded, block coloured – or even better a vintage and TOTES ironic (ya ya ‘totes’) – 90s cartoon print.

Shop in vintage stores like Beyond Retro – and menswear shops are an untapped resource. I’m currently rocking a Mickey-Mouse-wearing-Union-Jack-pants sweatshirt. From Primark menswear *does street pose* And THAT’S how I became the Prince(ss) of a Town called Bel Air (Shoreditch).

Vintage Customised Wolf Sweatshirt, £35, Urban Outfitters

Nike vintage marl hooded Sweat, £55, Asos.com

ARARIO vivid prints sweater, £39, Asos Marketplace

Sam Greenberg 80s vintage Bugs Bunny jumper, £30, Asos Marketplace

Outerwear

BECAUSE WE NEED A FREAKING JACKET IN MID JUNE. APPARENTLY.

Varsity style is not only a must have shape for AW12 (you trend-setter, you) but also looks great slung over a summer dress (Lana Del Rey style), as well as over a head-to-toe leopard print catsuit (Jessie J style – uh-gain). JUST SAYIN’.

London based brand Chateau Roux have some AWESOME pastels leather bomber jackets (a small men’s size is poifect if you’re dress size 10-ish), and the likes of River Island and Topshop are doing some great baroque bombers. And I may never have loved anything more than this WESC leopard print varsity jacket. SCCHHHHHWINNNNNG.

Chateau Roux Ronnie leather bomber jacket, £240, Asos.com

Tropical leaf printed bomber jacket, now £20 (from £40), Topshop

The Laika leopard print jacket, £34, WeSC

Scarf Print Bomber, now £20 (was £35), River Island

Headgear

If you can, don the snapback, or 5 panel (I can’t; I’m from Essex. I’ll never get a cheating footballer husband with that kind of behaviour).

If not, make it a beanie. Wear it oversized, throw in a bobble for good measure, plus a big dollop of red lippy and add a two finger salute to ‘rain-fringe’. TAKE THAT, CRAPPY WEATHER.

Metallic boyfriend knit beanie, £8, Asos.com

Oversized Bobble Hat, £8, Asos.com

Leopard print baseball cap, £15, Topshop