Elevated streetwear is a modern take on the classic street style, incorporating high-end and luxury elements. It combines the comfort and edginess of streetwear with sophisticated and refined details. This style is unique because it blurs the lines between casual and formal, allowing individuals to express their personal style in a more elevated and polished way.
Independent Tokyo label by Ryota Iwai, building relaxed menswear and womenswear around custom-developed Japanese textiles and muted colour.
Why it's similar. Ryota Iwai develops bespoke Japanese textiles each season for Auralee, from Peruvian alpaca to Mongolian cashmere, which is why its plain wide trousers and knitwear read as elevated.
Stockholm fashion house founded in 1996 by Jonny Johansson, known for oversized tailoring, mohair knitwear, denim and the Musubi bag.
Why it's similar. Jonny Johansson started Acne Studios in 1996 with a small run of raw denim; the Stockholm house now anchors elevated streetwear with mohair knits and Face-patch sweats.
Paris label founded in 1987 by Jean Touitou, known for raw selvedge denim, Demi-Lune bags and understated, long-lasting wardrobe basics.
Why it's similar. Jean Touitou's Paris label has sold raw Petit Standard denim since 1987, a quieter and cheaper route to the same considered basics elevated streetwear is built on.
Beams Plus is the Tokyo-based heritage menswear line of retailer Beams, reworking classic American Ivy, workwear and military styles in Japan.
Why it's similar. Beams Plus reworks mid-century American Ivy, military and workwear patterns in Japanese cloth, giving oxford shirts and fatigue trousers the finish that separates elevated from ordinary streetwear.
Tokyo avant-garde house founded in 1972, known for black oversized tailoring and asymmetric draping, plus the long-running Y-3 line with Adidas.
Why it's similar. Yohji Yamamoto has shown in Paris since 1981, and his black gabardine tailoring and asymmetric draping supply the volume elevated streetwear borrows, plus Y-3 with Adidas.
Paris-founded label led by Guram Gvasalia, turning workwear, merch and uniform codes into oversized, logo-heavy runway collections.
Why it's similar. Guram Gvasalia turns workwear, band merch and corporate-uniform codes into oversized hoodies and reworked bootcut denim, the Paris runway end of the graphic streetwear language.
Kering-owned Parisian luxury house, founded in Spain in 1919, now led by Pierpaolo Piccioli after a decade under Demna.
Why it's similar. Kering-owned Balenciaga made the Triple S and oversized tailoring the template every elevated streetwear label reacted to, now led by Pierpaolo Piccioli after a decade under Demna.
Rei Kawakubo's Tokyo label, founded 1969, known for avant-garde pattern-cutting, a family of sub-labels and the heart-logo Play diffusion line.
Why it's similar. Rei Kawakubo's group spans Homme Plus, Shirt and Junya Watanabe, while the heart-logo Play line and its Converse work sit closest to everyday elevated streetwear.
Needles is Keizo Shimizu's Nepenthes in-house label, reworking Americana and 1970s leisurewear, best known for its butterfly-logo velour track pants.
Why it's similar. Keizo Shimizu's Nepenthes in-house line turned a butterfly-embroidered velour track pant into the piece that proved 1970s leisurewear could carry a premium Japanese price.
Copenhagen menswear label making relaxed, minimalist modern-casual staples in linen, organic cotton and wool since 2007.
Why it's similar. NN07 builds a low-contrast Copenhagen wardrobe of overshirts, merino knits and pleated trousers in linen and organic cotton, elevated by fabric choice rather than by graphics.
Munich menswear label founded in 2009, known for relaxed tailoring, overshirts and fine knitwear built around travel-inspired seasonal collections.
French label founded in 2011 by Alexandre Mattiussi, known for relaxed Parisian tailoring, knitwear and the Ami de Coeur logo.
Milan streetwear label founded in 2012 on graphic tees with Patagonian and Mapuche imagery, now designed in-house under New Guards Group.
Y-3 is the long-running adidas and Yohji Yamamoto joint label, blending draped Japanese tailoring with technical sportswear and performance sneakers.
London menswear-led label founded in 2007 by Martine Rose, known for distorted proportions, rave-culture references and recurring Nike collaborations.
Los Angeles label founded in 2014 by Yixi Chen, making retro-futurist, science-inflected menswear built on technical outerwear, treated denim and utility tailoring.
Matthew M. Williams' label pairing industrial buckle hardware and harnesses with technical outerwear and minimal tailoring, now Paris-based.
Paris luxury house founded in 1988, known for deconstruction, blank numeric labels and Tabi split-toe boots; now led by Glenn Martens.
Kering-owned Paris luxury house, founded 1961, led by Anthony Vaccarello and known for sharp tailoring, leather outerwear and Loulou and Kate bags.
French label founded in 1994 by Isabel Marant, known for rock-bohemian Parisian staples like wedge sneakers, suede boots and slouchy tailoring.
Los Angeles label founded in 2013 by Jerry Lorenzo, pairing oversized streetwear silhouettes with luxury fabrics and muted, neutral palettes.
Why it's similar. Jerry Lorenzo's LA label defines the category in the US: oversized hoodies, long-line tees and relaxed tailoring cut from heavy Italian-milled fabrics in muted neutrals.
Disco ranks brand alternatives using style overlap, category overlap, price tier, fit, colour palette, and cultural context. Scores are directional, not absolute. Read the full methodology →
The best elevated streetwear brands are those that seamlessly combine luxury with street style. Some top brands include Auralee, Acne Studios, and Balenciaga, known for their distinctive designs and high-quality materials that elevate traditional streetwear aesthetics.
While elevated streetwear often leans towards luxury, brands like A.P.C. and NN07 offer more affordable options without compromising on style or quality. These brands provide a great entry point into the elevated streetwear scene with their refined yet accessible collections.
Elevated streetwear stands out for its blend of casual comfort and high-fashion sophistication. Brands like Yohji Yamamoto and Comme des Garçons push the boundaries of traditional streetwear by incorporating avant-garde elements and luxurious fabrics, creating a polished yet edgy look.
Auralee is highly regarded for its meticulous attention to detail and use of premium materials, making it a worthwhile investment for those seeking quality elevated streetwear. The brand’s minimalist yet refined aesthetic ensures timeless pieces that can seamlessly integrate into any wardrobe.
You can purchase elevated streetwear from various online retailers that specialize in high-end fashion. Websites like Farfetch, SSENSE, and the official brand sites for Acne Studios and VETEMENTS offer a wide selection of elevated streetwear pieces.