By, The Curator
We live in an age when people will pay $500 for a t-shirt so that they can take a few pictures wearing it and receive approval and validation online. That need for approval is rooted in a deeper insecurity that these people have. They want to feel cool, they want to feel confident, or they want to stand out. Owning a t-shirt that the culture they participate in regards as rare and expensive helps them accomplish that.
Despite my tone I actually do not have anything against anyone who pays that much for a shirt or anyone that wears those brands. I believe that everyone can wear and buy what they want as long as they are true to themselves. The reason I am writing about this is because not everyone has $500 to drop on a shirt. Not everyone has the time or opportunity to camp outside of a clothing store so that they can have a chance at getting something. Often times those who cannot afford or get ahold of the latest Supreme or Bape releases feel excluded from the streetwear culture. Plus many people just don’t like those big brands, but still like streetwear. This brings me back to what I stated in the beginning. Part of the reason that people buy those brands is because they want to stand out. Well I’m here to tell you that there are other ways for you to put together nice outfits and separate yourself from the pack without having to break your bank account.
Buy From Small And Upcoming Brands
One option that is often overlooked by streetwear enthusiasts is the small business. This could be because they don’t think upcoming brands are cool, but it is more likely because they have a harder time finding those brands. That is what The Curator Blog is for. There are two main reasons why you should buy from upcoming brands.
They Are Generally Cheaper
Compared to big established brands like Anti Social Social Club, smaller companies normally have cheaper prices. They also don’t really have a resell market which means you won’t end up having to pay hundreds to get ahold of a hoodie. I think we can all agree that ten well designed hoodies for $50 is a better deal than than one hoodie for $500. For the most part, that’s an exaggeration, but you get the point. A bigger closet means more outfit options. If you blow all your money on a single item of clothing your outfits will have no variety. Buying from upcoming brands will get you more bang for your buck.
Less People Have Them, So You Stand Out More
Smaller brands are also a great alternative for people who are just looking to stand out or don’t want to blend in. Less people are likely to know about an upcoming brand than they are to know about Supreme. You can potentially even find a small brand with designs that are higher quality or more relatable than the designs that Supreme or Off White release. Upcoming streetwear companies tend to take off locally first. Depending on where you live, you may be able to find a local brand that you like. Buying from them would support a local business and you could be the first of many to hop on that brands wave. If you are someone that wants to have a fire Instagram profile, wearing upcoming brands would separate you from the rest. If you look at all of the major streetwear feature accounts, everyone is wearing the same products from the same brands. They all look the same. Would you rather wear the same box logo as thousands of others or a more unique design that maybe only one hundred others in the world own?
How To Find Small And Upcoming Brands
This is something that I have always struggled with myself which is one of the reasons why I started The Curator Blog. There are a few small forums, media accounts, and web pages around different corners of the internet that have made attempts at starting upcoming brand lists, but none of them have gotten that big. I even had a significant amount of trouble finding the platforms with these lists in the first place. My goal is for The Curator Blog to become the biggest and easiest to find location where people can find and connect with upcoming brands. Check out our forever growing brand database.
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