UK streetwear label Trapstar has risen to prominence over the last few years as their signature tracksuits evolved into globally recognized status symbols, particularly amongst hip hop communities. But how exactly did their luxury yet edgy tracksuit designs manage to redefine modern street style?
Let’s break down the key elements that make Trapstar tracksuits so coveted while trailing their influence from London road culture into high fashion's mainstream embrace.
The Signature Trapstar Tracksuit Aesthetic
While tracksuits were originally sportswear basics, Trapstar reinvented the two-piece joggers and jacket into an entirely new realm of premium style and desirability.
Several distinctive details define the Trapstar tracksuit aesthetic that fans obsess over:
Silhouettes, Fabrics and Fit
Trapstar tracksuits maintain a tailored fit that flatters while allowing an oversized, roomy shape highly sought after today. Using high quality interlock cotton blends and buttery viscose linings, the fabrics offer both softness and durability.
Signature elements like elastic cuffs and waistbands secure warmth while preventing unwanted rising or shrinking. This balances the uniquely baggy shape with a polished finish.
Hardware and Decorative Touches
The custom Trapstar hardware sets their tracksuits apart through functional flashing style. Oversized engraved zippers, snaps and toggles shine in silver, gunmetal and gold for metallic edge.
Offsetting the clean fabrics, precise design details add depth. Strategic tears, frayed edges, and splatter prints edge up Trapstar tracksuits. while quilted stitching or Chenille embroidered patches provide luxe texture.
Colorways and Graphics
Beyond fabrics and silhouettes, Trapstar also focuses considerable design attention on their iconic tracksuit color palettes and graphic prints.
They avoid overt branding, instead using semi-cryptic logo treatments and imagery hoping buyers recognize the coveted label. By frequently rolling out modern color combinations and limited edition graphic tracksuits, hypebeasts rush to acquire the latest drops.
This formula has accelerated demand for Trapstar’s luxury yet street ready tracksuits over the past few years. Their renegade London roots also continues fueling their products' rebellion-minded allure.
The Role of Trapstar in UK Music Scenes
Trapstar’s influence remains deeply intertwined with British rap and grime music subcultures - specifically the London roadman scene. Modern “roadmen” relate to hustlers loafing street corners while sporting tracksuits and edgy gear.
Some examples of key UK musicians repping Trapstar tracksuits include:
· Stormzy constantly rocks Trapstar tracksuits of all colors at performances, interviews and video shoots. His relationship aligns so closely, Stormzy became an investor and part owner by 2021.
· AJ Tracey name drops Trapstar in multiple singles including wearing a Trapstar tracksuit for his 2019 Glastonbury performance of smash hit “Ladbroke Grove.”
· Central Cee repeatedly reps Trapstar wears in his street style, even Impact on Current Street Style Trends launching a sold out orange collab tracksuit with the brand in 2022.
· Dave sports Trapstar tracksuits regularly and devoted several prominent shoutouts in his No. 1 album We’re All Alone In This Together.This tight-knit affiliation with homegrown UK hip hop talents keeps the outsider perspective of Trapstar central to its branding. No surprise their tracksuits appear throughout grime and rap media then, solidifying Trapstar’s signature aesthetic within the culture.
Simultaneously, football players, Tik Tok influencers and more expand Trapstar’s reach globally. But roots tracing back to London roadman attitude drives the coveted appeal underlying every Trapstar tracksuit.
How Trapstar Tracksuits Compare to Other Streetwear Brands
While impossible to ignore across British hip hop landscapes now, how do Trapstar tracksuits stack up against other established luxury streetwear labels?
Versus Palm Angels, Amiri and Other Street Brands
Trapstar differentiated itself by fusing London avant-garde styles with street sensibilities global hypebeasts respond to. So their tailored yet baggy tracksuits offer something distinct from other luxury street competitors.
Palm Angels track pants and jersey styles lean designer punk while Amiri focuses heavily on distressed washes and biker details. Trapstar tracksuits balance both angles - street grittiness with high fashion polish.
And by pricing standard Trapstar tracksuit sets around $300, they beat Palm Angels and Amiri’s $400+ costs while still conveying premium quality.
Contrast Versus Gucci, LV and High Fashion
Alternatively, iconic fashion houses like Gucci and Louis Vuitton undoubtedly offer pristine fabrics, construction and branding. Except their 4-figure tracksuit price tags limit access to mostly affluent buyers alone.
Trapstar makes the look coveted by hip hop artists actually attainable for working class fans. Yet their detailing and scarcity still provides luxury status that high fashion houses emulate lately.
More Wearable Than Avant Garde Labels
Finally, avant garde houses like Raf Simons and Rick Owens also incorporate tracksuits alongside artful concepts. Although their envelope-pushing takes on proportion, texture and shape push beyond wearable versatility.
Trapstar tracksuits bridge this gap perfectly - balancing Conceptual originality with functional wearability any streetwear fan embraces easily.
This distinct positioning helped Trapstar carve out its very own lane in an otherwise highly competitive luxury street market. Their tracksuits feel immediately recognizable now even beyond just UK streets.
The Customization Culture Around Trapstar Tracksuits
Beyond influencing big media through celebrity and music culture, Trapstar fans generated an entire customization and collaboration scene around their iconic tracksuits too.
The practice of modifying or repurposing wardrobe essentials now represents a major part of streetwear identity. For Trapstar tracksuits specifically, common custom trends include:
Collaborative Tracksuit Drops
Trapstar regularly teams up with select artists, athletes or brands to launch limited capsule tracksuits decked out in special details. Recent partnerships include:
· Nike X Trapstar: React tracksuits covered in inverted swooshes
· Stranger Things X Trapstar: Upside down printed sets teasing season 4
· Central Cee X Trapstar: Co-designed orange Chenille hoodie and pant sets
These capsules sell out instantly, with some reselling for 4X retail afterwards!
DIY Embellishment Alterations
Less accessibly, followers also hand customize their own Trapstar tracksuits at home through DIY hacks. Some examples include:
· Adding Chenille monogram patches or rhinestone decals
· Bleaching and dyeing methods to create ombre color shifts
· Strategically placed tears or frayed edges for further distressing
· Sewing on designer insignia patches from other brands
This allows fans to further personalize their tracksuits into one-of-a-kind creations.
Accessorizing For Complete Looks
Trapstar followers also cohesively tie full looks together by styling signature accessories with their tracksuits. From footwear to face masks, popular add-ons include:
· Trapstar branded sneakers like exclusive Nike Air Force collabs
· Stacked gold chains and statement watches
· Oversized baseball caps and durags/bandanas
· Logo wristbands, headbands and socks
· Understated small leather shoulder and waist bags
· Tactical masks or balaclavas
Layering these finishing touches allows broader self-expression, even when wearing a more basic Trapstar tracksuit set.
Overall the entire culture of customizing, collaborating and carefully accessorizing Trapstar tracksuits mirrors what streetwear represents — making designs your own.
The Impact of Trapstar Tracksuits on Current Street Style Trends
While pioneering their own signature style, Trapstar tracksuits also influenced wider streetwear trends shaping modern aesthetics across music, media and fashion. So beyond just UK rap scenes, their ripple effects spread globally.
Some trend impacts sparked (or at least perpetuated) by Trapstar include:
Popularizing Oversized and Baggy Silhouettes
Today extra roomy tops and bottoms represent the preference rather than tailored, shrunken fits. Much relates back to Trapstar normalizing fuller shapes while making them feel polished.
Transitioning Tracksuits into High Fashion Staples
Designers consistently incorporate track pants and hoodies into their runway collections now. But it took brands like Trapstar proving the humble tracksuit could become a luxury item before the style translated into high fashion.
Bold Colors and Prints Going Mainstream
Similarly, the vibrant colors and graphic prints Trapstar toys with also extended beyond hypebeasts into mainstream markets lately. Both fast fashion and upscale brands embraced more adventurous hues and patterns as casual wear.
Accessorization Driving Complete Looks
The concept of sneakers, face masks, durags defining entire outfits (versus just shirts or pants alone) also gained traction after Trapstar fans styled soon-iconic looks. Now tacti-cool extras feel essential to finish off modern street style.
Genderless Fashion Finding Traction
Trapstar fans often share or trade their tracksuits across mens and womens sizing. Particularly with unisex oversized cuts, this movement helped accelerate gender fluidity in streetwear.
Overall much of today’s casual fashion mirrors elements Trapstar embedded within their signature tracksuit DNA years ago. This pioneering UK label undoubtedly redefined what streetwear could become with their accessibly-priced but carefully designed staples.
How Trapstar is Redefining The Future of Streetwear
Beyond pioneering their own signature style, Trapstar tracksuits also influenced wider streetwear trends shaping modern aesthetics across music, media and fashion. So beyond just UK rap scenes, their ripple effects spread globally.
Some trend impacts sparked (or at least perpetuated) by Trapstar include:
Promising Continued Market Dominance
Currently Trapstar sits poised for even greater domination as Gen Z and Millennial consumers drive growth. Analysts predict the global streetwear market reaching $30+ billion by 2028 - with roomy silhouettes, bold colors, and music/sports connections representing product winners.
So Trapstar stays well-positioned to capitalize on fans aging into higher income brackets with retained brand loyalty stemming from youth.
Modernized Takes on Iconic Pieces
As popularity expanded demand, Trapstar balances preserving classic tracksuit appeal while twisting designs to feel fresh. We should expect more avant grade couture-inspired sets for broadening audience reach and high fashion credibility long-term.
Global Category Expansion
Although UK centered currently, data shows solid Trapstar traction across Europe, the Middle East and Africa with room for growth still. Moving into underpenetrated North and South America seems imminent as they scale ecommerce capabilities.
This presents a $700+ million opportunity for maturity by 2030. Capturing Asian markets poses difficult streetwear competition but remains feasible given viral media trends.
Overall Trapstar stands ready to dominate streetwear on the levels of Jordan Brand and Supreme by modernizing their classics across demographics and geographies. And signature versatile flagships like their beloved tracksuits will spearhead driving that global empire reach.
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