Walk down Chestnut Street on any given day and you’re bound to run into a bevy of beautiful and stylish Philadelphians, all decked out in unique and original threads. An indie and up-and-coming fashion city, Philadelphia has its share of fashionistas and dapper dudes.
In search of local style lovers, I have become the Croc-A-Style hunter lurking for beautifully, artfully and originally attired individuals in the City of Brotherly Love. Philadelphia will prove to be overflowing with individualism and ingenious. (In my best Australian accent) "So let’s take a closer look."
THE TREND: With the resurgence of the 80s on the runway, our street style has beefed up on its Nu-Rave quotient. The streets of Philly have become a veritable casting call for the B-boy, Krush Groove era. Bright colors, vintage Nike sneakers, hair designs and plated gold earrings are running rampant here. The 80s baby loves gold-rope chains and high-top Reeboks, while sparing no expense when it comes to red lipstick, acid-wash jeans and tube socks. An expressive look, young Philly is taking this trend to heart and with its youthful vibrancy.
GET THE LOOK: Color-coordinated and hip retailer American Apparel. With two locations in Center City and University City there is no shortage of metallic, bold colors and stretch materials. More on the exclusive side is high-top heaven Affical specializes in high-end retro and designer sneakers. For a more designer take on this trend, snag a glittery Lisa-Frank-colored Steven Shein pendant from Deep Sleep.
THE TREND: Philadelphia has an intense reputation and legend as a booming music town with a penchant for emo/garage/indie rock bands. And that which penetrates the ears will eventually permeate the wardrobe. To say Philly is swarming with hipsters would be an understatement. Cheap Mondays (ultra-skinny Swedish jeans) and lots of black make for usual fare for the boys, while most hipster girls strike a cool and effortless look in boots, vintage dresses, awesomely chopped hair and cutesy details like Hello Kitty watches.
GET THE LOOK: Get Mondays at any Urban Outfitters. Boutiques like Conspiracy and Grasshopper showcase unknown, extremely talented local designers and indie collections. 
THE TREND: The antitheses to the emo crowd are the Rittenhouse Regulars, a distinct and flashy bunch who specialize in happy hours and designer denim. Uber-trendy and uber-beautiful, the Rittenhouse gang is a secluded bunch that thrives in the Center City area, shops in the Walnut/Chestnut Street boutiques and dates among the tribe. The always on-point women seem as if they’ve walked off of the pages of Philadelphia magazine and the men straight out of a Boyd’s billboard.
GET THE LOOK: Tailored suits for work, slinky tops and Citizens of Humanity jeans for play from shops like Matthew Izzo and Echo Chic. And let’s not forget the baubles from Jeweler’s Row (try Lagos for a Rittenhouse Regular staple).
THE TREND: One thing Philly is credited with is being a college city. Drexel, UPenn, Temple and Arcadia all call Philly home and so do each of it’s thousands of students. Today’s coeds have more in the way of fashion options, but they still possess distinctive qualities. The guy with the backpack and the comfy Abercrombie & Fitch sweatshirt? He’s one. The gang of girls in Victoria Secret pink sweatpants and Ugg boots. Tag they’re it. The collegiate look is one part trendy, two parts comfort and a heavy does of denim.
GET THE LOOK: Campus Cuties have the advantage of youth and the restricted pockets that dictate wardrobes from Guacamole and sassy Buffalo Exchange. (And sometimes they mix the two, those daring kids.) Get in on the collegiate train with denim from Old Navy’s “New Denim New You” line (in the Gallery Mall) and pick up on trendy and colorful tees, sundresses and skirts of South Street boutique Temptation. And for accessories hit up one of the many Siglo Accessories that line South Street.
One thing is for sure about Philadelphia fashion trends: in any given season you’re liable to see mohawks and mohair sweaters, Jimmy Choos and Jimmy Buffet tees. Whatever the style, Philly has one thing above the rest, its uniqueness and unapologetic sense of all things home. Keep on the hunt, as I’ll be looking out for more amazing fashion sense on the streets of Philadelphia.
AroundPhilly Staff
