Kids elevating street style with these 5 local clothing lines

ARTICLE : ALEXANDRA MAE UY | JANUARY 25, 2024

Do you remember the time when you were a kid who followed the trending styles you see on the streets such as the oversized shirts partnered with a bull cap or an oversized jersey matched with a colorful scarf? Well, those are the typical clothes kids wore back then making them comfortably flaunt their styles outside.

As streetwear culture is continuously promoted among kids of various generations, artistic local branded clothes with designs relating to basketball, hip-hop, R&B, and other urban arts that people recognize as jejemon or hypebeast fashion confidently flex their drip.

This culture has paved the way for the celebration of the Philippine National Streetwear Day to highlight the streetwear culture in the country that began to emerge during the 1970s. As for the 2000s, local entrepreneurs started to build avenues to mainstream their artistry by designing clothes that have distinct, big, and unique styles.

Thus, rock with these 5 local clothing brands as kids, and even you, invade the streets:

1. Don’t Blame The Kids Apparel Co. (DBTK)

Starting from its brand name, DBTK has been one of the prominent brands made for kids since 2012. From the unique styles and designs to the distinct grandiose details of their products, customers can definitely catch up with the latest trends.

Some kids often pair their prominent aesthetic wide pants or baggy shorts with Nike kicks and with either an ‘NBA Championship’ or ‘New Era’ cap to finish up their outfit check.

Founded by young entrepreneurs, Vince and Emil Javier, DBTK wanted to stir change to the mindset of the people with their direct point and message through their unique crafts and artistry.

2. Anti-Social Social Club (ASSC)

You surely never get out of sight with this brand’s phrase stamped on the shirts of kids out there.

Andrew Buenaflor, also known as Neek Lurk, is a Los Angeles-based Filipino designer and the mastermind behind the ASSC design. Lurk got this iconic brand phrase to catch his audience’s attention as it speaks about isolation, loneliness, and mental health challenges.

Indeed, ASSC brings diverse individuals while building a strong connection as if it is a genuine social club.

3. Gnarly! (G!)

It’sˈnär-lē not jnarly!

Showing off either a tiny or huge ‘G!’ logo on their products, Gnarly! is, indeed, one of the brands that kids wanted to flex in the streets, like, “Ey! Maganda ba ‘jnarly’ ko?” Yet, with the controversial pronunciation of the brand’s name, even their official social media pages bombard their followers with reminders on how to pronounce it correctly.

After almost 15 years of consistency—since they started with the concept of 90’s cartoon characters, comics, and skateboarding—Gnarly!’s vision to encourage people to wear their products with excitement, is finally happening!

4. HGHMNDS (Highminds)

Sharing positivity with their every collection, HGHMNDS has been one of teenagers’ favorites. Aside from being affordable, their designs certainly show creativity, openness, and expressiveness.

Given its affordability, kids can elevate their style while flaunting their natural fashion sense.

5. Offhigh

Offhigh, a Laguna-based streetwear clothing brand, piqued the interest of the local market with their knotty animated designs which are adored even by kids.

“Invading the streets” is the brand's tagline, as they supply quality pieces to the fresh eyes of street fashionistas after they start with their budget-friendly products.

A never-ending grind by the owner, Kimpee Garcia, assured that their products are extremely good and that their latest collections such as the Manila, Nostalgia, and the Year-End collections have proven.

Filipinos are undeniably open-minded and artistic to conform to streetwear culture as seen through fashion statements across all ages.

Owners of these brands also started from a kid who once had a sparkling passion for influencing people through their arts and crafts. May the kids who are currently wearing their favorite clothing brands, soon achieve their endeavors and inspire kids on the streets.