Social media has become something of a double edged sword for streetwear enthusiasts: Living in an Instagram era means those secretive drops are now somewhat less elusive. But the mainstreaming of a once-underground culture has led to a shorter half life for many of the hottest looks.
“There will always be an underground or next wave of things,” Tim Nolan, ecd at Huge and former writer for Hypebeast said, but social media has shifted the way that information is made available he added. “If you saw someone wearing a Supreme hat a few years ago you would know, ‘That cat is thinking the same thing as me.’ The difference is that trend explodes now and has a shorter shelf life.”
Musician and streetwear influencer, Racks Hogan, the man behind the popular Stylish Stoner Instagram account, said the photo sharing app helps with the first steps of tracking an item down.
“Homework is everything, as is having an interest and genuine pursuit of what you’re trying to find.” But Hogan said rarely is the platform used to announce a drop. “We trade information amongst ourselves in the streetwear community. There’s nothing like talking to people.”
Below are five must-follow streetwear accounts, according to experts consulted by Glossy.
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Supreme_copies
Followers: 10,400
The anonymous founder of Supreme_copies is quickly gaining the attention of Supreme fans as they aim to compare what Supreme references on its clothing, from the images and fabric print it uses.
The person behind the account wanted to archive the comparisons being discovered, they recently told Dazed. “I’ve had many different sources send me in comparisons they find on their own – whether it be from the thrift store, watching a movie, or simply just driving by and seeing a familiar logo they’ve seen on a Supreme piece.”
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The Stylish Stoner
Followers 39,600
Personal photos posted by musician and streetwear influencer Racks Hogan live up to his Instagram handle. He’s prolific with photos of his own unique style — particularly sneakers, which he often uses his account to sell. He’s unloaded Kayne West and Adidas 750s Yeezy through raffles, for example, keeping sold out items in circulation. “I did well on this drop so I’m willing to part w my old ones t make space for the new ones,” one post reads.
A photo posted by THE STYLISH STONER™ THUG HOGAN (@itsracks) on
Solestreatsneakerco
Followers: 18,300
Huge demand and limited supply have combined to create a fertile ground for resellers in the streetwear industry. Solestreetsneakerco is one of them. The account teases drops, well ahead of time, but the rest of the photos are of sought-after kicks for sale.
marvelous.soles
Followers: 45,200 followers
Johnny Laboy is behind this re-selling Instagram account, which is his full time job. He teases drops and uses the platform to connect with followers who want to place pre-orders. Laboy likens himself to a personal shopper: People go to him when they want something they can’t or won’t necessarily find themselves. “We trade information amongst ourselves in the streetwear community,” he said. “Instagram gives me the exposure I need to sell the product.”
A photo posted by @marvelous.soles on
Ronnie Fieg, founder of Kith
Followers: 436,000
The founder of street fashion brand Kith uses Instagram to reveal a mix of teaser posts of upcoming drops and collaborations with his brand but also allows followers a glimpse into his personal life. He also shares images from his own personal life on his account as well as the official Kith account, which has 638,000 followers. “In today’s world people need to feel personable to the brand, so there needs to be a face and somebody that they can relate too,” he told Glossy in a recent interview.
